Yvonne Russo, Co-ProducerYvonne Russo is an American Award-winning producer, on-camera host and accomplished artist. Russo initially found success as a producer most notably for her work in the independent film world securing a national theatrical release with Landmark Theatres for the film, “Naturally Native” which was the first film in history to be financed entirely by a tribal nation. The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2000. Years later, she expanded her work from motion pictures to feature documentaries, reality television and long form television.
Russo began her professional career as Vice President of Red-Horse Productions where she developed and produced True Whispers: The Story of the Navajo Codetalkers with Valhalla Motion Pictures. Naturally Native, Pop Hunter’s Dew Drop Inn which was about the first Native American Jazz club owner produced for NAPT. After a six-year term with Red-Horse Productions, Russo decided to produce independently to work on alternative forms of media. In 2005, Yvonne field directed over two-dozen episodes of, Bringing Home Baby TLC’s Cable Strip Series where she conducted interviews with show participants and help develop storylines for Norseman Television Productions in Studio City. Her field directing led to running a multi-camera shoot for the Academy Awards Party Sponsor, Sundoulous Sports where she conducted media line interviews with celebrity guests. Russo produced a two-hour television special: New Voices: All Roads Filmmakers for National Geographic International Channel working with indigenous filmmakers and photographers from Nigeria, Kurdistan, New Zealand, Australia and Inner Mongolia. Russo is producing a new series for National Geographic, Extreme Exposures which is scheduled to air in 2010 which follows National Geographic photographers on assignment. In addition, she is producing “Top Ten” a one hour magazine style show for National Geographic Channel International.
Russo has received the “Producer of the Year” award from American Indian Film Institute as well as, “Outstanding Achievement in Producing” by First Americans in the Arts, and is a fellow of the Sundance Institute Producers Labs. Russo served on the Board of Directors for the Producers Guild of America and is Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee, which created the Producers Guild Workshop aiming to expand diverse voices in entertainment. Russo displays creative talent, ambition and the business skills that continue to define her career.
