Sisa Quispe is a Quechua-Aymara award-winning director, writer, producer, speaker, and host based in New York City. Her work centers on preserving Indigenous ways and amplifying decolonial narratives through film, media, and public dialogue. Rooted in cultural memory and Indigenous perspectives, her storytelling explores themes of identity, healing, immigration, and intergenerational resilience.

She wrote and directed Kusi Smiles, a short film about grief and healing in the Andes, developed through the Latino Film Institute Inclusion Fellowship sponsored by Netflix. The film premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival. Her earlier film, Urpi: Her Last Wish, which she wrote, produced, and directed, explores the complexities of Indigenous identity and was honored with The Gotham’s 2023 Annual Student Short Film Showcase award. The film is distributed on Focus Features streaming platforms and featured on JetBlue in-flight catalog.

As a former fellow of the 4th World Media Lab, Quispe has been part of a cohort of Indigenous filmmakers dedicated to deepening their craft and building sustainable creative careers. Her TEDx talk, “Re-thinking Who We Are Through A Decolonizing Lens,” shares her personal journey of decolonization and continues to resonate widely.

Quispe is committed to amplifying Indigenous women’s voices and humanizing the immigrant experience through stories rooted in dignity and cultural memory. Just as importantly, she continues to cultivate pathways for Indigenous youth to develop their creative voices, ensuring that future generations not only see themselves reflected, but are also empowered to lead the stories they tell.

TEDxTALK

The remnants of colonialism impact how we perceive ourselves in society. Sisa challenges these mindsets we have inherited and leads on a path of personal reflection, community growth, and healing.