Steve James is an American director, producer, and editor, regarded as one of the most important figures in contemporary documentary cinema. He achieved international fame with *Hoop Dreams* (1994), a monumental work that for five years follows the dreams of two young African American students from Chicago who aspire to become professional basketball players. The film won numerous awards, including the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and the DGA Award, but its failure to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary generated widespread controversy. James did, however, receive an Oscar nomination for Best Film Editing. His filmography often explores social themes such as race, class, and justice. His other significant works include *The Interrupters* (2011), *Life Itself* (2014), a portrait of critic Roger Ebert, and the series *America to Me* (2018). He earned a second Oscar nomination for the documentary *Abacus: Small Enough to Jail* (2016).