Diane Russo Cheng (she/her) is an award - winning director and photographer.

Originally from New Jersey, Diane Russo Cheng takes inspiration from her roots - combining the foundation of her loud Italian American upbringing and her queer identity to tell stories that pull out the raw emotion from her characters – from anger and frustration to joy and ambition – and to translate those emotions into visceral and stunning imagery.

Diane began her journey as a fashion photographer. When social media pivoted to video she took an interest in connecting fashion films with storytelling, and has created award winning films for British Vogue, Document Journal, and V Magazine. Since then she’s woven her identity into work with commercial brands like adidas, Glossier, and Nike where her aesthetic style meets at the intersection of connection and physicality.  She’s the winner of a Gold Seattle Addy for her commercial documentary work, she’s made the top 10 list at Berlin Commercial, received several Vimeo Staff Picks, and has been celebrated by SHOOTS New Directors Showcase, among others.

In her personal work, Diane is committed to making socially conscious driven projects that amplify narratives around women and her LGBTQ+ family.  Her Short Films have screened at academy and BAFTA nominated festivals including Clermont Ferrand,  Palm Springs, Aesthetica, and Outfest.  Diane was a finalist for The 2020 Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program with her screenplay REIGN, which went on to take second place at 2021 Slamdance competition.  Her most recent film, Transenders, tells the story about Alexa's journey as a trans woman, navigating the toxic culture that encompasses skateboarding, and what it means to transcend fear through community. Transenders was supported by Nike SB and is currently doing the festival circuit.

Contact

diane@dianerusso.com