Gregory James Nava (born April 10, 1949) is an American film director, producer and screenwriter.
Personal life
Nava was born in San Diego, of Mexican and Basque heritage. Nava graduated from
St. Augustine High School The name St. Augustine High School could refer to:
In the United States:
* St. Augustine Academy (Lakewood, Ohio)
* St. Augustine High School (Laredo, Texas)
* St. Augustine High School (New Orleans), Louisiana
* St. Augustine High School (San Di ...
in San Diego and went on to attend
film school
A film school is an educational institution dedicated to teaching aspects of filmmaking, including such subjects as film production, film theory, digital media production, and screenwriting. Film history courses and hands-on technical training ...
at
UCLA
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California St ...
where he earned an
MFA in 1976. At UCLA he directed the short film ''The Journal of Diego Rodriguez Silva'' (based on the life of
García Lorca
García or Garcia may refer to:
People
* García (surname)
* Kings of Pamplona/Navarre
** García Íñiguez of Pamplona, king of Pamplona 851/2–882
** García Sánchez I of Pamplona, king of Pamplona 931–970
** García Sánchez II of Pam ...
), and for this work, won the Best Dramatic Film Award at the National Student Film Festival. Nava married
Anna Thomas
Anna Thomas (born July 12, 1948) is a German-born American author, screenwriter, and film producer. She is best known as the author of the 1972 vegetarian cookbook, ''The Vegetarian Epicure'', which contributed to the rise of the vegetarian mov ...
in 1975. They collaborated on many projects, and had sons Christopher (born 1984) and Teddy (born 1985) before
separating in 1995. They eventually divorced in 2006. Nava married Barbara Martinez in 2013.
Career
While an instructor at
Moorpark College
Moorpark College is a public community college in Moorpark, California. It was established in 1967 with enrollment of 2,500 students and enrolled 14,254 students in 2014. An Exotic Animal Training and Management center houses over 200 animals o ...
teaching classes in
cinematography
Cinematography (from ancient Greek κίνημα, ''kìnema'' "movement" and γράφειν, ''gràphein'' "to write") is the art of motion picture (and more recently, electronic video camera) photography.
Cinematographers use a lens to focu ...
, Nava's first feature film, ''
The Confessions of Amans,'' won the Best First Feature Award at the
Chicago International Film Festival
The Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964 by Michael Kutza, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. Its logo is a stark, black and white close up of the comp ...
in 1976. Later, he came to the attention of
Hollywood producers due to the success of ''
El Norte,'' which garnered Nava and his wife
Anna Thomas
Anna Thomas (born July 12, 1948) is a German-born American author, screenwriter, and film producer. She is best known as the author of the 1972 vegetarian cookbook, ''The Vegetarian Epicure'', which contributed to the rise of the vegetarian mov ...
an
Academy Award
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
nomination, among other accolades, for the screenplay. In 1995 the film was registered by the
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library is ...
,
National Film Registry
The National Film Registry (NFR) is the United States National Film Preservation Board's (NFPB) collection of films selected for preservation, each selected for its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions since the NFPB’s inception i ...
. According to ''
Chicago Sun-Times
The ''Chicago Sun-Times'' is a daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Since 2022, it is the flagship paper of Chicago Public Media, and has the second largest circulation among Chicago newspapers, after the ''Chicago T ...
'' film critic
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert (; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American film critic, film historian, journalist, screenwriter, and author. He was a film critic for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, Ebert beca ...
, "''El Norte'' tells the story with astonishing visual beauty, with unashamed melodrama, with anger leavened by hope. It is a ''
Grapes of Wrath'' for our time."
Further collaborations with his wife Thomas include: ''
The Confessions of Amans,'' ''
A Time of Destiny
''A Time of Destiny'' is a 1988 American drama war film directed by Gregory Nava and written by Nava and Anna Thomas. The story is based on the opera '' La forza del destino'' by Giuseppe Verdi. The motion picture was executive produced by Shep G ...
,'' ''
My Family
''My Family'' is a British sitcom created and initially co-written by Fred Barron, which was produced by DLT Entertainment and Rude Boy Productions, and broadcast by BBC One for eleven series between 2000 and 2011, with Christmas specials broadc ...
,'' and ''
Frida
''Frida'' is a 2002 American biographical drama film directed by Julie Taymor which depicts the professional and private life of the surrealist Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
Starring Salma Hayek in an Academy Award–nominated portrayal as K ...
'' (screenplay), and other works.
Nava had further directing success in 1997 with the film ''
Selena
Selena Quintanilla Pérez (; April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995), known mononymously as Selena, was an American Tejano singer. Called the " Queen of Tejano music", her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mex ...
,'' starring
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Affleck (' Lopez; born July 24, 1969), also known as J.Lo, is an American singer, actress and dancer. In 1991, she began appearing as a Fly Girl dancer on the sketch comedy television series ''In Living Color'', where she rema ...
, who was nominated for the
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...
for Best Actress.
From 2003 to 2004, Nava executive produced the television series ''American Family: Journey of Dreams'' for
PBS
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcasting, public broadcaster and Non-commercial activity, non-commercial, Terrestrial television, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly fu ...
. He also directed a few episodes.
In 2006, Nava produced, wrote, and directed the film ''
Bordertown'' which made its debut at the
Berlin Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival (german: Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin), usually called the Berlinale (), is a major international film festival held annually in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1951 and originally run in June, the festi ...
on February 15, 2007. The film, based on true events, is a political thriller about a
series of unsolved murders in
Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez ( ; ''Juarez City''. ) is the most populous city in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. It is commonly referred to as Juárez and was known as El Paso del Norte (''The Pass of the North'') until 1888. Juárez is the seat of the Ju ...
, Mexico. It stars
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Affleck (' Lopez; born July 24, 1969), also known as J.Lo, is an American singer, actress and dancer. In 1991, she began appearing as a Fly Girl dancer on the sketch comedy television series ''In Living Color'', where she rema ...
as a
Chicago-based reporter who follows the story.
Santiago, Soledad
''The Free New Mexican'' article, December 2, 2006. The film was shot in New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...
and Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
.
Filmography
* '' The Confessions of Amans'' (1976)
* '' The Haunting of M'' (1979)
* ''The End of August'' (1982), screenplay only
* '' El Norte'' (1983)
* ''A Time of Destiny
''A Time of Destiny'' is a 1988 American drama war film directed by Gregory Nava and written by Nava and Anna Thomas. The story is based on the opera '' La forza del destino'' by Giuseppe Verdi. The motion picture was executive produced by Shep G ...
'' (1988)
* ''My Family
''My Family'' is a British sitcom created and initially co-written by Fred Barron, which was produced by DLT Entertainment and Rude Boy Productions, and broadcast by BBC One for eleven series between 2000 and 2011, with Christmas specials broadc ...
'' (1995)
* ''Selena
Selena Quintanilla Pérez (; April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995), known mononymously as Selena, was an American Tejano singer. Called the " Queen of Tejano music", her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mex ...
'' (1997)
* '' Why Do Fools Fall in Love'' (1998)
* ''Frida
''Frida'' is a 2002 American biographical drama film directed by Julie Taymor which depicts the professional and private life of the surrealist Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
Starring Salma Hayek in an Academy Award–nominated portrayal as K ...
'' (2002), screenplay only
* '' Bordertown'' (2006)
Television
* ''The 20th Century: American Tapestry'' (1999, Documentary)
* '' American Family'' (2002–2004)
Accolades
Wins
* Chicago International Film Festival
The Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964 by Michael Kutza, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. Its logo is a stark, black and white close up of the comp ...
: Gold Hugo Award, Best First Feature Award, for '' The Confessions of Amans''; 1976.
* Montréal World Film Festival
The Montreal World Film Festival (WFF; french: le Festival des Films du Monde) was one of Canada's oldest international film festivals and the only competitive film festival in North America accredited by the FIAPF (although the Toronto Internat ...
: ''Grand Prix des Amériques'', for '' El Norte''; 1983.
* Donostia-San Sebastián International Film Festival: OCIC Award, for ''My Family
''My Family'' is a British sitcom created and initially co-written by Fred Barron, which was produced by DLT Entertainment and Rude Boy Productions, and broadcast by BBC One for eleven series between 2000 and 2011, with Christmas specials broadc ...
''; 1995.
* Bravo Awards: Outstanding Feature Film, for ''My Family
''My Family'' is a British sitcom created and initially co-written by Fred Barron, which was produced by DLT Entertainment and Rude Boy Productions, and broadcast by BBC One for eleven series between 2000 and 2011, with Christmas specials broadc ...
''; 1995.
* Taos Talking Picture Festival: Cineaste Award, 1995.
* ALMA Award: Outstanding Latino Director of a Feature Film, for ''Selena
Selena Quintanilla Pérez (; April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995), known mononymously as Selena, was an American Tejano singer. Called the " Queen of Tejano music", her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mex ...
''; 1997.
* ALMA Award
The American Latino Media Arts Award or ALMA Award, formerly known as Latin Oscars Award, is an award highlighting the best Hispanic and Latino Americans, American Latino contributions to music, television, and film. The awards promote fair and ...
: Outstanding Latino Director of a Feature Film, for '' Why Do Fools Fall in Love''; 1998.
* National Hispanic Media Coalition
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) civil rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism towards the Latino community.
NHMC collaborates with other social justice organizations ...
: Impact Award for Director of the Year; 2000.
* Santa Fe Film Festival The Santa Fe Film Festival is a non-profit organization which presents important world cinema that represents aesthetic, critical, and entertainment standards highlighting New Mexican film. The organization partners with educational groups, schools, ...
: Luminaria Award; 2006.
Nominations
* Academy Awards
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
: Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
The Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay is the Academy Award for the best screenplay not based upon previously published material. It was created in 1940 as a separate writing award from the Academy Award for Best Story. Beginning with th ...
, for ''El Norte''; 1984.
* Writers Guild of America Award
The Writers Guild of America Awards is an award for film, television, and radio writing including both fiction and non-fiction categories given by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America West since 1949.
Eligibility
Th ...
: Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, for ''El Norte''; 1984.
* Donostia-San Sebastián International Film Festival: Golden Seashell Award, for ''My Family
''My Family'' is a British sitcom created and initially co-written by Fred Barron, which was produced by DLT Entertainment and Rude Boy Productions, and broadcast by BBC One for eleven series between 2000 and 2011, with Christmas specials broadc ...
''; 1995.
* Emmy Awards
The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...
: Outstanding Miniseries, for ''American Family: Journey of Dreams,'' for episode "Journey of Dreams"; 2002.
* Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival (german: Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin), usually called the Berlinale (), is a major international film festival held annually in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1951 and originally run in June, the festi ...
: Golden Berlin Bear, Gregory Nava; for '' Bordertown''; 2007.
References
External links
*
PBS
interview of Gregory Nava with Bill Moyers
Bill Moyers (born Billy Don Moyers, June 5, 1934) is an American journalist and political commentator. Under the Johnson administration he served from 1965 to 1967 as the eleventh White House Press Secretary. He was a director of the Counci ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nava, Gregory
1949 births
Film producers from California
American male screenwriters
American film directors of Mexican descent
American people of Basque descent
Film directors from California
Living people
UCLA Film School alumni
University of California, Los Angeles alumni
Writers from San Diego
Screenwriters from California