Interview With Award-Winning International Casting Director Luci Lenox @ Cannes Film Festival

Luci Lenox is an award-winning casting director based in Spain with a diverse professional background and international experience. She has cast over 100 productions for clients such as Netflix, Amazon, MediaPro and various Spanish independent producers, and her work has resulted in over 250 awards at international film festivals. In addition to her work as a casting director, Luci is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the industry and has served on the board of the CSA and the diversity and inclusion committees for both the CSA and APDICE. She is also a member of the Catalan and European Film Academies, CSA, ICDN, and APDICE, and has participated in panels and juries at film festivals such as Sitges, the London Film Festival, and Cannes. Luci's passion for her work as a casting director is evident in her commitment to finding and supporting talented actors from around the world.

Can you speak about how you became a casting director? Was it always something you wanted to do?

LUCI: Casting basically found me rather than it ever being part of my life plan.  I’d worked in many different jobs and then got a job in production at a Catalan production company, and I met Pep Armengol, an amazing casting director and he needed someone who spoke English for a job so I assisted him.  I discovered a job that was absolutely perfect for me and then one job led to another and then another and twenty-five years later I still love my job and find it interesting and challenging. 

You are originally from Ireland but now live in Spain. How did you end up there? And can you speak about the Spanish film industry niche you have found there? 

LUCI: I am very much a product of my time and generation.  I studied Spanish at university and spent a year abroad in Barcelona which was a life-changing experience. This was back in the 80s and Barcelona was just getting ready for the Olympics and was full of opportunities and I met an amazing range of people.  Then when I graduated there was a world-wide recession and I struggled to find a job so decided to move back to Barcelona for a while until the economy improved mainly because a friend offered me an apartment for a very cheap rent, which is ironic given the current housing crisis.  I never planned on spending my whole life here but here I still am.  

LUCI CONT’D: The Spanish film industry has grown from strength to strength and just keeps getting better.  I’ve been extremely lucky to have been a part of this positive growth.  So many international productions have chosen to shoot in Spain, and I have definitely been in the right place at the right time. I love that I’ve been able to work with auteur filmmakers like Juanma Bajo Ulloa as well as for almost all the major studios and platforms and have been involved in the casting of productions from not only the States but also Korea, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, the UK, etc.  who have all shot here. 

What do you find most challenging about being a casting director?  

LUCI: The most challenging part for me is the best part that every project presents a new set of challenges that have to resolved.  Every role is a challenge.  The only thing I find challenging in a negative way is managing the fact that we continually break actors’ hearts.  Every actor who casts would love the role and only one gets it so letting actors know that it wasn’t that they weren’t good enough but rather than someone else was the perfect fit is tough.   

You have won multiple awards for your work. Can you speak about the works you are most proud of?  

LUCI: Actually, there aren’t that many awards yet for casting although this is changing especially since there is now going to be an OSCAR for casting but the films I have been involved with have won over 200 awards so I’m very pleased about that.  I am so proud of each and every job (well, nearly!) I’ve done as each one represents the hopes and dreams of the filmmakers.  I still think getting a film greenlit is almost a miracle.   

You have begun a movement for talent called The Actors Home. Can you tell us about this endeavor?

LUCI: The Actors Home began as an online group I created for actors during the pandemic—a way to stay connected and supported during an uncertain time. Since then, it has grown into a global community of professional actors from over 75 nationalities, based in around 45 countries. The Actors Home is part support group, part creative hub, and part ongoing training space. It’s a place where actors can connect, grow, and navigate the industry together.

What was the inspiration for The Actors Home and what do you hope to achieve with it? And can you tell us about the One Minute Film Competition you do?

LUCI: The Actors Home is my way of giving back to an industry that I care deeply about. So many actors feel isolated or lack access to the knowledge and connections they need to grow. I wanted to create a space that offered both—somewhere that felt grounded, supportive, and genuinely useful. In this fast-paced digital era, I think real community matters more than ever. I love connecting people, especially across borders, and The Actors Home has become a global space where actors support one another and continue learning together.

LUCI CONT’D: The One Minute Film Challenge grew out of that same spirit. It’s an annual creative competition where actors create and submit one-minute films. It’s become one of our most exciting and empowering initiatives, and a great way for actors to get their work seen and to exercise their creative muscle. 

You attended the Cannes Film Fest with The Actors Home. How was that experience? 

LUCI: This was the third year that we have held events at Cannes.  It was just great and so amazing to see so many of our members either in projects or networking with each other.  We had a lot of fun! 

You also spoke on a panel while at Cannes. Can you tell us about that? 

LUCI: The Actors Home is an industry partner for Afro-Cannes and I spoke on a panel about casting for them.  I always enjoy the lively debate of panels and love learning other people’s perspectives. 

Why is it so important for filmmakers and film industry professionals to attend Cannes and other film festivals? 

LUCI: I believe that it’s a combination of networking but also a celebration of our industry and community.  There is something very powerful about coming together from all over the world and watching films or just simply sitting and talking about what’s going on.  

What are your upcoming plans for the rest of this year and next?   

LUCI: I have a busy and exciting year ahead. I'm currently casting some fantastic projects, and I'm also planning to attend several film festivals—including Evolution Mallorca, which remains one of my all-time favorites. I've been invited to a few others as well.  This is such a privilege as I enjoy combining travel with work. There's something uniquely energizing about the atmosphere at film festivals, and I really love being part of them.

Casting Director/Producer Luci Lenox with co-producer of Actors Home André Verde 

photo by: Arturo Sartou

ABOUT THE ACTOR'S HOME:

The Actors Home is a global platform and community for professional actors, founded by casting director Luci Lenox. It offers practical tools, mentorship, and insider insights to help actors navigate the industry with clarity and confidence—covering everything from branding and self-promotion to castings, festivals, and AI. At its core, it’s about building sustainable, international careers with a sense of belonging and purpose.

Interview by Vanessa McMahon