Dan Lindsay

Documentary filmmaker Dan Lindsay achieved the dream of every director when his film "Undefeated" won the 2012 Oscar. An Illinois native, Lindsay graduated from the University of Missouri in 2001 and began his filmmaking career directing the documentary short "Why Us?" about the background to the 9/11 attacks. While awaiting the chance to direct a feature, Lindsay worked as an editor on the dramatic short "Missed Connection" in 2006, when he also starred and acted on an episode of the popular show "Entourage." In 2008 he got his chance to direct a full-length documentary when he teamed up with T.J. Martin (who co-wrote the script) on "Last Cup: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong," a lighthearted look at an odd subculture. The film had as one of its executive producers, noted filmmaker Morgan Spurlock. That same year also saw the release of the comedic short "Cute Couple," in which Lindsay had another starring role. For their next collaboration, Lindsay and Martin decided to share directorial credit as they followed an inner-city high-school football team in Memphis as they negotiate the difficulties of their circumstances with the help of a volunteer coach. In addition to the Oscar win, the film was nominated for a Black Reel Award and a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award.