bio

A native Angeleno, Debbie Formoso grew up on the diverse streets of the San Fernando Valley and was raised by two Filipino accountants hoping for the American dream. She is a writer, producer and a DGA director who has worked on countless narrative and commercial projects for nearly 20 years.  

In 2022, she was selected for Ryan Murphy’s Half Initiative program where she shadowed top-tier TV director Brad Buecker on an episode of Fox’s 911: Lone Star. She has directed commercial work for major studios like Disney and ABC, as well as prominent brands such as Land Rover, Stella Artois, Ragu and Powerade. Most recently her teaser promo for Disney's American Born Chinese was granted a Bronze award at the Clios.

Her award-winning short films have screened all over the world including Tribeca and Los Angeles film festivals. She is a proud alumna of Loyola Marymount University’s Graduate Film program, and has been mentored by cinematographers Jeff Cutter (Prey) and Matthew Libatique, ASC (A Star is Born).  At LMU, Formoso was awarded a Sony Transition after Graduation Fellowship, as well as the Ian Conner Cinematography Award. Her thesis film Nagpapanggap won Best Short Film at the Hawaiian International Film Festival, Outstanding Screenwriting at HATCHFest, and Best Screenplay at LMU’s "Film Outside the Frame" Student Film Festival. She is also a former fellow of Film Independent’s Project:Involve.

She is currently developing several feature length and television projects. On her days off, you may catch her devouring churros at Disneyland with her husband, son and daughter.

fun facts

• 5th grade spelling bee champion

• 1st job at Universal Studios Hollywood as a carnival game attendant 

• MVP for high school varsity volleyball and JV basketball teams

• High school valedictorian 

• Been to Club 33

• Made a movie in the Philippines