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IMDbPro

Benh Zeitlin

  • Director
  • Composer
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Benh Zeitlin
Eight years ago director Benh Zeitlin let 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' loose into the world. So why did it take nearly a decade to make his new movie, 'Wendy'?
Play clip14:41
Why 'Wendy' Took 8 Years to Make
3 Videos
43 Photos
Born in New York City and raised in Sunnyside, Queens and then Westchester County, Benh Zeitlin began his career as a film-maker at the tender age of 6 years 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, Benh spent a summer in Prague working with a prominent animation artist. Returning to the U.S., he worked in a private school in Manhattan helping elementary students create short films.
BornOctober 14, 1982
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornOctober 14, 1982
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Nominated for 2 Oscars
    • 59 wins & 56 nominations total

Photos43

Benh Zeitlin and Quvenzhané Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
Benh Zeitlin in Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
Benh Zeitlin at an event for Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
Benh Zeitlin at an event for The IMDb Studio at Acura Festival Village (2020)
Benh Zeitlin and Devin France at an event for The IMDb Studio at Acura Festival Village (2020)
Benh Zeitlin and Devin France at an event for The IMDb Studio at Acura Festival Village (2020)
Kevin Smith, Benh Zeitlin, and Devin France at an event for The IMDb Studio at Acura Festival Village (2020)
Benh Zeitlin
Benh Zeitlin
Benh Zeitlin
Benh Zeitlin
Benh Zeitlin poses in the Kindle Fire HD and IMDb Green Room during the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach on February 23, 2013 in Santa Monica, California.

Known for:

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
Beasts of the Southern Wild
7.2
  • Director
  • 2012
Glory at Sea (2008)
Glory at Sea
7.0
Short
  • Director
  • 2008
Wendy (2020)
Wendy
5.7
  • Director
  • 2020
Egg
7.0
Short
  • Director
  • 2005

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Director

  • Arcade Fire: Unconditional I
    • Director
    • Music Video
    • 2022
  • Wendy (2020)
    Wendy
    • Director
    • 2020
  • Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
    Beasts of the Southern Wild
    • Director
    • 2012
  • Glory at Sea (2008)
    Glory at Sea
    • Director
    • Short
    • 2008
  • The Origins of Electricity
    • Director
    • Short
    • 2006
  • Brooklyn Independent Vol. 1
    • Director
    • Video
    • 2005
  • Egg
    • Director
    • Short
    • 2005

Composer

  • Swamy Rotolo in A Chiara (2021)
    A Chiara
    • Composer
    • 2021
  • Wendy (2020)
    Wendy
    • Composer
    • 2020
  • Brimstone & Glory (2017)
    Brimstone & Glory
    • Composer
    • 2017
  • Mediterranea (2015)
    Mediterranea
    • Composer
    • 2015
  • Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
    Beasts of the Southern Wild
    • Composer
    • 2012
  • Glory at Sea (2008)
    Glory at Sea
    • Composer
    • Short
    • 2008
  • Death to the Tinman (2007)
    Death to the Tinman
    • Composer
    • Short
    • 2007

Writer

  • Wendy (2020)
    Wendy
    • written by
    • 2020
  • Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
    Beasts of the Southern Wild
    • screenplay
    • 2012
  • Glory at Sea (2008)
    Glory at Sea
    • story
    • writer
    • Short
    • 2008
  • The Origins of Electricity
    • Writer
    • Short
    • 2006
  • Egg
    • Writer
    • Short
    • 2005

Videos3

Why 'Wendy' Took 8 Years to Make
Clip 14:41
Why 'Wendy' Took 8 Years to Make
How 'Wendy' Star Devin France Put a New Spin on a Well-Known Character
Clip 2:07
How 'Wendy' Star Devin France Put a New Spin on a Well-Known Character
Why 'Wendy' Is a Live-Action Peter Pan We Actually Want
Clip 3:58
Why 'Wendy' Is a Live-Action Peter Pan We Actually Want

Personal details

Edit
  • Height
    • 5′ 7″ (1.70 m)
  • Born
    • October 14, 1982
    • Manhattan, New York, USA
  • Spouse
    • Mélanie Akoka March 2023 - ?
  • Parents
      Steve Zeitlin
  • Relatives
      Eliza Zeitlin(Sibling)
  • Publicity listings
    • 2 Interviews
    • 4 Articles

Did you know

Edit
  • 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.
  • Quotes
    There are funny stories about [the making of Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) ] how I went knocking on someone's door and he came out with a shotgun. Even then, that guy showed up at our gas station two days later, and was like, "I'm sorry. I thought you guys were trying to kill me or you're from Witness Protection or something like that. I didn't mean to scare you. You want any red fish?" He'd just caught a bunch. You get real hospitality in Louisiana. I think it'd be much harder in another place because the state is extremely open and a more accepting, hospitable place.
  • Nickname
    • Benh

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