Dakota Lupo is a filmmaker, producer, educator, and strategist who specializes in storytelling across several mediums and multiple industries. With extensive work writing and directing narrative film, documentary, commercials, and digital/interactive media, his work has been released worldwide and he’s lead productions in over 40 countries. In both fiction & non fiction, Dakota uses storytelling as an empathetic bridge between artists, organizations, policy, and people. Many projects are built as part of organizational and policy platforms, working together with some of the world’s leading human rights organizations, foundations, and NGOs. He’s worked with a variety of partners such as VICE, Sony, TRT World, FashionOne, the World Food Programme, Transparency International, and WhyHunger.
The son of a choreographer and a magician, Dakota began performing at a very young age and continued as an actor and comedian. He is a graduate of Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, earning a BFA in Film and Television Production with a focus on human rights and policy through the arts. As a teacher and executive director, Dakota has lead film and acting programs in Los Angeles and around the world. As a yoga and meditation instructor for over 15 years, Dakota has taught over 6000 classes and has lead teacher trainings, specialized workshops, and developed curricula. As one of the best hand models in the game, Dakota has appeared in over 50 commercials (true story). He is a practicing martial artist and a Jeopardy extraordinaire.
DOCUMENTARY & NARRATIVE work smattering
COMMERCIAL & DIGITAL work smattering
PEACED TOGETHER | Amer Shanati brings together his former music students from Syria with his current students in the Netherlands to play together at the Peace Palace for the International Day of Peace.
dir. Dakota Lupo / dop. Hannes Blommaert
DRUM TOGETHER | Over 100 of the world’s greatest drummers join forces to support WhyHunger’s efforts to end hunger with nutritious food for all. Drum Together features the greatest collection of drummers ever performing on one song.
dir. Dakota Lupo /
prod. Brian Resnick, Dom Famularo
BUILDING BLOCKS | The first implementation of blockchain technology used by the United Nations is explored at Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan.
dir. Dakota Lupo / dop. Hannes Blommaert
CODE NINJAS: Camps
dir. Dakota Lupo / dop. Dominic Lopez
CODE NINJAS x SCOTT KELLY
dir. Dakota Lupo / dop. Dominic Lopez
SAWA KENYA explores the many issues causing young girls to drop out of school in rural Kenya.. Through the lives of these young girls and their community leaders, we explore the factors feeding these challenges as well as how education is impacting change.
dir. Dakota Lupo / dop. Hannes Blommaert
A six-part mini-series, Civil Defense: Still There follows the supporting characters’ unique stories leading up to and following Civil Defense: Red Rover.
prod. Multihouse Entertainment / dir. Dakota Lupo / dop. Dominic Lopez
CODE NINJAS: Create
dir. Dakota Lupo / dop. Dominic Lopez