James Lester is a native New Yorker and an independent film director, editor, producer and writer. His films have won awards at festivals in the United States and Europe and have been featured on television networks such as STARZ and IFC. Notably, his feature documentary “Getting Naked: A Burlesque Story” had its world premiere in the Venice Days section of the 74th Venice International Film Festival; its U.S. premiere was at DOC NYC. Lester’s editor and producer resume includes Emmy-nominated films and series for HBO and SHOWTIME as well as programming for Netflix, Paramount+, Disney+, NBC/Peacock, AMC, A&E, PBS, CNN, BBC, CBS, USA Network, and Sundance Channel. He has directed content for brands such as Veuve Cliquot and Marriott Hotels, and PSA’s for Volunteers of America. Before working in film and television, Lester studied music. He performed in clubs and concert venues and also taught piano, guitar, music theory and jazz history in New York music schools and conservatories. He is currently an adjunct professor at CUNY’s Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema.