There are a great number of reasons why Diana Lee Inosanto was named the Action On Film International FilmFestival’s 2011 Maverick Award Winner. None of these reasons have anything to do with who she knows or who
she’s related to. Every one of the reasons for her winning this year have to do with something she has accomplished,
for the work she has done and for the strides she continues to make. Here is a little information on the 2011 AOF
Maverick Award Winner.
Inosanto is the writer-director-producer and co-star of the critically successful, and popular festival film, "THESENSEI." In addition, D. Lee would work with Asian American theater companies, East West Players & LodestoneTheater Ensemble continuing to evolve as an actress and martial arts choreographer.
Reaching adulthood, Ms. Inosanto struggled as a young, single mom with an Autistic son. Eventually she met
her husband Ron Balicki, a former Deputy Sheriff turned Martial Arts Entrepreneur / Stunt Coordinator and nowProducer.
Ms. Inosanto made the most of her extensive training and successful career as a stuntwoman to learn directly onset about the “directing process” by watching and absorbing the techniques, strategies, and philosophies exhibited byA-list directors, like Ang Lee, John Woo, Barry Sonnenfeld, Chris Columbus and Clint Eastwood.
By the end of 2010, as an emerging director and writer on THE SENSEI, Inosanto would win
awards and accolades at film festivals like LA Femme International, Hoboken International,
Philadelphia Asian American Film Fest, San Francisco's Frameline, Germany's
Verzaubert Film Festival and New York's Newfest to name a few.
In order to make “The Sensei” a reality, Ms. Inosanto had to overcome manyobstacles, but as always, she perseverd and the result was a fantastic filmand a growing fan base for her work in fornt of and behind the camera.
So powerful was her message that the Asian American Justice Center will present
Ms. Inosanto with the American Courage Award this October 6th, in Washington,
D.C for her bravery and dedication to the cause of civil rights and use of incredible
creative aptitude to deliver the message of advancing social justice.
Moving forward, Ms. Inosanto co-produced with her husband, Ron Balicki, the
action thriller "SINNERS & SAINTS" starring Johnny Strong (Black Hawk Down),
Oscar Nominee Tom Berenger (Inception), Sean Patrick Flanery (Boondock Saints),
Method Man (The Wire) and Kim Coates (Black Hawk Down).
Ms. Inosanto has been accepted into the ALLIANCE OF WOMEN DIRECTORS,
sharing membership with other notable women directors like Catherine
Hardwicke (Twilight) and Kimberely Peirce's (Boys Don't Cry).
Diana Lee Inosanto is currently working on several projects
in various stages of development and will receive herAOF Maverick Award on July 30, 2011 at the 7th AnnualAOF Black Tie Dinner and Award Show.
