Brought up on the South Side of Chicago and now Brooklyn-based, Emmy-nominated director Rodney Lucas travels the world creating commercials, branded content, and documentaries. Having experienced bouts of homelessness during childhood, it’s no wonder his work is celebrated for his uncanny ability to capture marginalized communities with high sensitivity, care, artistic expression, and emotional depth. A self-made artist through and through, Rodney began his career as a set design assistant for a company that worked closely with Annie Leibovitz. He went on to serve as an on-air host for VICE media, having first gained experience in the music industry as an acclaimed touring artist. He’s also released works with the London-based platinum-selling group, Bastille. To this day, Rodney attributes his films' poetic tonality and rhythmic flow to his music background.


His most recent projects include a deep dive into the life and career of Odell Beckham Jr. for A24 and an episode of Netflix’s award-winning and acclaimed series UNTOLD, which highlights the legacy of storied NFL all-pro quarterback Steve McNair. Rodney also directed and co-produced all eight episodes of Hulu’s Searching for Soul Food, which Melina Matsoukas executive produced. His awards include a Tribeca X, a Webby, 13 Telly Awards, 3 AdStar awards, and a shortlist spot at Cannes Lions.


Black Hercules, a short film produced and directed by XTR, explores the life of street bodybuilding legend Craig Monson. It premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and is slated to show at the AFI Festival.