Nationality: American
Birthdate: 02/24/1962
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Independent documentary filmmaker whose "Paris Is Burning" (1990) was an involving, compassionate exploration of the world of "vogueing," documenting the drag balls at which mostly black and Hispanic homosexuals and transvestites act out their fantasies. "Paris" won the Los Angeles Film Critics' and the Sundance Film Festival awards for best documentary. Livingston described her film, made over a three-year period for $375,000, as about "how a group of people under siege--from poverty, from racial prejudice, from homophobic violence--triumph with wit, style and love."
1983
Traveled extensively photographing people at parties, at rallies and in the streets (date approximate)
1985
Moved to New York from New Haven, CT; began observing voguers for first time; began work on first feature, "Paris Is Burning"
1986
Worked on Laurie Anderson's concert film, "Home of the Brave"
1987
Acted as art department assistant on feature, "Orphans"
1990
Completed first feature, "Paris Is Burning" (about voguing; made on $375,000 budget); film first broacast on BBC (April)
