Walter Thompson-Hernández

Walter Thompson-Hernández
Thompson-Hernández in 2026
Born1985 (age 40–41)[1]
Huntington Park, California
EducationUniversity of Portland (Bachelor's degree)
Stanford University (MA)
OccupationsDirector, screenwriter, journalist, author

Walter Thompson-Hernández (born 1985) is an American director, screenwriter, journalist and author. Thompson-Hernández has written for The New York Times, NPR, The Guardian, Remezcla among others. In 2020, he wrote the book The Compton Cowboys: The New Generation of Cowboys in America's Urban Heartland. He has directed the feature-length films Kites (2025) and If I Go Will They Miss Me (2026).

Early life and education

Thompson-Hernández was born and raised in Huntington Park, California.[2] He is of African American and Mexican descent.[3] He attended the University of Portland, where he played basketball, eventually playing it in Latin America with Caballeros de Culiacan.[4][5][6] However, he suffered an injury, and began pursuing storytelling.[7] Thompson-Hernández graduated with a degree in political science.[8] He also attended Stanford University where he received a master's degree in Latin American Studies.[9]

Thompson-Hernández was enrolled in the UCLA César E. Chávez Department of Chicana/o and Central American Studies Ph.D. program for one year before leaving to begin his journalism career.[7][9]

Career

Journalism

Thompson-Hernández has written for The New York Times, where he was a multimedia subculture reporter.[10] At The Times, Thompson-Hernández would write about the Compton Cowboys in his The Compton Cowboys: The New Generation of Cowboys in America's Urban Heartland published in 2020, by HarperCollins.[11] His work has additionally been featured in NPR, BuzzFeed, The Guardian and Remezcla.[12][13]

Filmmaking

In 2022, Thompson-Hernández directed the short film If I Go Will They Miss Me which had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Sundance Film Festival Short Film Jury Award.[14] It was then expanded into a feature length film of the same name starring J. Alphonse Nicholson and Danielle Brooks, and premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.[15][16]

In 2025, Thompson-Hernández directed the documentary Untold: Shooting Guards for Netflix, revolving around an incident by Washington Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton.[17] That same year, he made his narrative directorial debut with Kites which premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, where it received a Special Jury Mention for Viewpoints.[18][19]

Filmography

Feature film

Year Title Director Producer Writer
2025 Kites Yes Yes Yes
2026 If I Go Will They Miss Me Yes Yes Yes

Documentary film

Year Title Director Writer Producer
2025 Untold: Shooting Guards Yes No No

References

  1. ↑ Wolk, Martin (June 11, 2020). "'Streets raised us. Horses saved us.' Why the Compton Cowboys ride". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Walter Thompson-Hernández". Filmmaker. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  3. ↑ Llamoca, Janice (February 26, 2016). "Being Blaxican in L.A." Latino USA. Futuro Media Group. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  4. ↑ Castrejon, Aaron (April 21, 2011). "Thompson Talks of Passion for Basketball, Service". Bronco Althetics. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Walter Thompson-Hernández". University of Portland. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  6. ↑ "10 Directors to Watch 2026". Variety. January 2, 2026. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  7. 1 2 Speer Lejeune, Christine (January 5, 2023). "The Storyteller". UCLA. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  8. ↑ Haro, Brie (October 6, 2020). "UP alum Walter Thompson-Hernandez to speak at Latinx heritage month event Oct. 8". The Beacon. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Walter Thompson-Hernández". Whiting Awards. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Walter Thompson-Hernández". Shoot Online. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  11. ↑ "The Compton Cowboys". HarperCollins. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  12. ↑ Francio, Mike (August 16, 2018). "With UCLA in his blood, New York Times reporter shares stories of the underrepresented". UCLA. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  13. ↑ Thompson-Hernandez, Walter (October 29, 2015). "Meet The Blaxicans Of Los Angeles". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  14. ↑ "2022 Sundance Film Festival Awards Announced". Sundance Institute. January 28, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  15. ↑ Loving, Casey (February 2, 2026). "How Walter Thompson-Hernández Turned His Short Film Into a Sundance Hit: 'The Story Needed a Bigger Home'". TheWrap. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  16. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 10, 2025). "Sundance 2026 Lineup Includes Films With Jenna Ortega, Charli XCX, Seth Rogen, Russell Crowe, Ethan Hawke & More In Park City Finale". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  17. ↑ Maglio, Tony (April 15, 2025). "'Untold' Trailer Brings Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton NBA Beef to Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  18. ↑ Molloy, Tim (June 15, 2025). "Kites Director Walter Thompson-Hernandez on Violence the Poetry in the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro". MovieMaker. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  19. ↑ "2025 Tribeca Festival Announces Winners Charliebird, Happy Birthday, and Natchez in U.S. Narrative, International, Narrative and Documentary Competitions". Tribeca Festival. June 12, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
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