Benjamin Howard (filmmaker)

For other people named Benjamin Howard, see Benjamin Howard (disambiguation).
Benjamin Howard
Alma mater
OccupationFilmmaker
Years active2015–present
Known forRiley
Notable workDeviant
FatherJohn Howard

Benjamin Howard is an American film director, screenwriter, film producer and film editor who is known for the films Deviant (2018), Rendezvous (2021), and Riley (2023).

Early life

Howard grew up in East County, San Diego,[1] graduating from Valhalla High School in 2013.[2] He received a Master of Fine Arts in Film Production / Directing at UCLA[3] after briefly attending SDSU.[4] His father John Howard is a sportscaster at KFMB-TV.[5]

Career

In 2017, Howard remade the music video for Do They Know It's Christmas? with developmentally disabled students.[6] His short film Deviant premiered in 2018 at Dances with Films[7] and won a Student Emmy Award in 2019.[8] Howard made the short film Rendezvous at UCLA, which screened at FilmOut San Diego LGBT Film Festival in 2022.[9]

Riley

Main article: Riley (film)

Howard's debut film Riley premiered at Calgary International Film Festival and is an expansion of his short film Rendezvous. He based the story on his own experiences as a high school athlete trying to come out.[8] Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo at Manila Bulletin praised the film[10] and it won eight San Diego Film Awards.[5][11]

Filmography

Short films
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
2015 Toast Yes Yes Executive
2016 The Final Days of Elliot Morrison Yes Yes Executive
No Teeth Yes Yes Executive
Disconnect Yes Yes Yes
Sleep on It Yes Yes Executive
2017 Adolescence Yes Yes No
2018 Deviant Yes Co-writer Co-producer [7]
2019 Snakeskin Yes No No
2020 Immersion Yes Yes Co-producer
2021 We All Die Alone No No No First assistant director
Rendezvous Yes Yes Co-producer [9]
Feature films
Year Title Director Writer Producer
2023 Riley Yes Yes Yes
2024 Adjunct No No Executive

References

  1. ^ Chadive, Sanjana (2023-09-23). "'Riley': A UCLA alumnus' love letter to community and queer youth". Daily Bruin. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  2. ^ Fulcher, Albert (2024-07-26). "East County filmmaker earns awards for first feature film". East County Californian. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  3. ^ "Coming Of Age with Benjamin Howard". Revry. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  4. ^ "5Q's w/Benjamin Howard "Deviant" Director". THE BSFF. 2019-12-17. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  5. ^ a b Howard, Michael (2024-07-24). "East County filmmaker Benjamin Howard sweeps San Diego Film Awards with Biopic-like feature 'Riley'". East County Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  6. ^ Zevely, Jeff (2017-12-20). It's 'action' for a new group of filmmakers. KFMB-TV. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  7. ^ a b "DEVIANT | Dances With Films". Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  8. ^ a b Ntim, Zac (2024-05-10). "Rapt Films Boards Queer Sports Drama 'Riley' And Will Launch Sales At Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  9. ^ a b Accomando, Beth (2022-09-08). "FilmOut celebrates 22nd year of showcasing LGBTQ movies". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  10. ^ Lamentillo, Anna Mae Yu (2024-04-06). "Benjamin Howard's 'Riley': A directorial debut that captures the heart of coming out". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  11. ^ Lai, Alex (2024-06-30). "San Diego-based film wins 8 awards, a love letter to East County upbringing". KFMB-TV. Retrieved 2024-07-28.