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Benh Zeitlin

Director | Writer | Composer

Born in New York City and raised in Sunnyside, Queens and then Westchester County, Benh Zeitlin began his career as a filmmaker at the tender age of 6 when he and a friend made a Batman movie. He continued making films as a child before attending Wesleyan University, where he majored in film. After graduation... See full bio »

Born:

Sunnyside, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
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Benh Zeitlin Still of Benh Zeitlin and Quvenzhané Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild Benh Zeitlin at event of People Like Us Benh Zeitlin and Quvenzhané Wallis Benh Zeitlin, Quvenzhané Wallis and Dwight Henry at event of Beasts of the Southern Wild Benh Zeitlin
38 photos | 6 videos | 951 news articles »

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Projects In Development help

Untitled Benh Zeitlin Project
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Do you have a demo reel?

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Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

Melanie Molnar - Reel -- No description provided.

Melanie Molnar - Reel

Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel


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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 43 wins & 15 nominations See more awards »
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Filmography

Hide HideDirector (4 titles)
2012 Beasts of the Southern Wild
 
2008 Glory at Sea (short)
 
2006 The Origins of Electricity (short)
 
2005 Egg (short)
 
Show ShowWriter (4 titles)
2012 Beasts of the Southern Wild (screenplay)
 
2008 Glory at Sea (short) (story / writer)
 
2006 The Origins of Electricity (short)
 
2005 Egg (short)
 
Show ShowComposer (3 titles)
2012 Beasts of the Southern Wild
 
2008 Glory at Sea (short)
 
2007 Death to the Tinman (short)
 
Show ShowCinematographer (3 titles)
2010 11/4/08 (documentary)
 
2006 The Origins of Electricity (short)
 
2005 Egg (short)
 
Show ShowEditor (3 titles)
2006 The Origins of Electricity (short)
 
2005 Brooklyn: Among the Ruins (video documentary short)
 
2005 Egg (short)
 
Show ShowArt Department (1 title)
2009/III Seed (miniature skyscraper construction)
 
Show ShowMusic Department (1 title)
2007 Death to the Tinman (short) (musician: music box)
 
Show ShowSound Department (1 title)
2005 Egg (short) (sound effects editor)
 
Show ShowMiscellaneous Crew (1 title)
2002 The Year That Trembled (set production assistant)
 
Show ShowThanks (3 titles)
2014 Deer in the Headlight (very special thanks) (post-production)
 
2013 The 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards (TV movie) (special thanks)
 
2011 Little Birds (thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (13 titles)
2013 La noche de los Oscar (TV movie)
Himself
 
2013 The 85th Oscars (TV special)
Himself - Nominee
 
2013 The 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards (TV movie)
Himself - Nominee
 
2013 The Colbert Report (TV series)
Himself - Guest
– Benh Zeitlin (2013) … Himself - Guest
 
2013 Charlie Rose (TV series)
Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 7 February 2013 (2013) … Himself - Guest
 
2012-2013 Last Call with Carson Daly (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 6 February 2013 (2013) … Himself
– Episode dated 22 May 2012 (2012) … Himself
 
2013 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #21.84 (2013) … Himself
 
2013 Cinema 3 (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 24 January 2013 (2013) … Himself
 
2013 18th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
2012 56th BFI London Film Festival (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2012 Super Soul Sunday (TV series)
Himself - Guest
– Why Oprah Loves Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) … Himself - Guest
 
2012 CBS This Morning (TV series)
Himself - Guest
– Episode #1.129 (2012) … Himself - Guest
 
2009 Sundance Directors Lab (TV series documentary)
Himself
– That's a Wrap! (2009) … Himself
– The Editing Room (2009) … Himself
– The Script (2009) … Himself
– Getting Started (2009) … Himself
 

Related Videos

Last Call with Carson Daly: : -- This year, Beasts of the Southern Wild made the unlikely journey from the backwoods of Louisiana to the Oscar stage. To celebrate, Carson sits down with the film's writer and director, Benh Zeitlin. Beasts of the Southern Wild -- Faced with her father's fading health and environmental changes that release an army of prehistoric creatures called aurochs, six-year-old Hushpuppy leaves her Delta-community home in search of her mother. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Season 21: Episode 83 -- Quvenzhane Wallis and Benh Zeitlin on how they financed "Beasts of The Southern Wild."
See all 6 »
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Personal Details

Publicity Listings:

3 Articles  | See more »

Height:

5' 7" (1.70 m)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[on directing six-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild] She was so focused and poised and just was fierce. She wouldn't do just what I told her to do, she questioned what I was saying. She'd say, 'I don't like this word' and she'd delete it. I allowed her to own the words and understand what they meant. See more »

Trivia:

His parents Steve Zeitlin and Amanda Dargan are both urban folklorists who founded and run the highly respected nonprofit City Lore organization in NYC. See more »