Independent Filmmaker, Composer & Production Designer; Director of "Beasts of the Southern Wild"; Academy Award-Nominated Director
Benh Zeitlin Biography
Benh Zeitlin is an American filmmaker, composer, and production designer known for his contributions to independent cinema. Raised in a family of urban folklorists who founded the New York nonprofit cultural organization City Lore, Zeitlin developed an early interest in filmmaking. He studied film at Wesleyan University, where he co-founded the Court 13 independent filmmaking collective, a group dedicated to creating ambitious, low-budget projects that became central to his creative work.
After moving to New Orleans, Zeitlin directed his first short film, "Glory at Sea," a post-Katrina musical fable that screened at festivals including SXSW. His debut feature, "Beasts of the Southern Wild," adapted from a play by Lucy Alibar, presented a narrative centered on a resilient community surviving in a challenging environment. Zeitlin co-wrote both the screenplay and the score, incorporating elements of magic realism and utilizing Louisiana locations to create a distinctive atmosphere.
"Beasts of the Southern Wild" received the Caméra d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at the Sundance Film Festival, and the Grand Jury Prize at the Deauville American Film Festival. The film earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Quvenzhané Wallis and Best Director for Zeitlin. At the Gotham Independent Film Awards, Zeitlin won the Breakthrough Director Award and received the inaugural Bingham Ray Award, recognizing his impact on independent filmmaking.
Zeitlin co-wrote and directed "Wendy," inspired by the story of Peter Pan and told from Wendy's perspective. The film was shot in locations ranging from Montserrat to Louisiana and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. In addition to directing, Zeitlin has composed music for his own films and for projects such as Jonas Carpignano's "Mediterranea." As a multidisciplinary artist, Zeitlin continues to explore innovative approaches to independent filmmaking, screenwriting, and film composition, creating immersive cinematic experiences.
Benh Zeitlin Videos
Benh Zeitlin & Dan Romer - the sound of WENDY | Directors Close ...
Directors Close-Up 2020 closes with acclaimed filmmaker Benh Zeitlin, who gives us a peek inside his longtime musical partnership with ...
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What topics does Benh Zeitlin speak about?
Benh Zeitlin is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Celebrity, Television & Film -
Where does Benh Zeitlin travel from?
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Benh Zeitlin is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Benh Zeitlin for your event is available upon request. Benh Zeitlin generally travels from New Orleans, LA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Lucy Alibar, Steven Spielberg, Zack Snyder, Jonathan Levine and Francis Lawrence. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Benh Zeitlin for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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