Breakthrough Film Directors of 2020

1. Josh Ruben

Josh Ruben is an award-winning actor, writer, and director whose feature film SCARE ME, which he wrote, directed & starred alongside Aya Cash and Chris Redd, debuted at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Shudder, AMC's horror platform, bought the feature in advance of the festival premiere. For ...

Scare Me

2. Tony Cervone

Director | Scoob!

Tony is a 25-year animation veteran. He is a leading expert on the Hanna-Barbera and Looney Tune franchises for Warner Brothers Animation.

His first job was in Chicago on Steven Spielberg's Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs as an animator and storyboard artist. He eventually ended up on the Warner...

Scoob

3. Alex Thompson

Director | Saint Frances

Alex Thompson is known for Saint Frances (2019), Drive Slow (2017) and Irene & Marie (2015).

Saint Frances

4. Dave Franco

Actor | Neighbors

David John Franco was born in Palo Alto, California, to Betsy Franco, an author, and Douglas Eugene "Doug" Franco, who ran a Silicon Valley business. He has two older brothers, actors James Franco and Tom Franco. His father was of Portuguese and Swedish descent, and his mother is Jewish. Dave made ...

The Rental

5. Andrew Heckler

Director | Burden

Andrew Heckler is known for Burden (2018), Armageddon (1998) and Ally McBeal (1997).

Burden

6. Jason Orley

Actor | The Intern

Jason Orley is known for The Intern (2015), Big Time Adolescence (2019) and I Want You Back (2022).

Big Time Adolesence

7. Joe Robert Cole

Writer | Black Panther

Joe Robert Cole is known for Black Panther (2018), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) and American Crime Story (2016).

All Day & a Night

8. Brandon Trost

Director | An American Pickle

Brandon Trost was born on August 29, 1981. He is a cinematographer and director, known for An American Pickle (2020), The Disaster Artist (2017) and This Is the End (2013).

an American Pickle

9. Sam Hargrave

Actor | Extraction

Sam Hargrave is known for Extraction (2020), Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Atomic Blonde (2017).

Extraction

10. Karen Maine

Director | Yes, God, Yes

Karen Maine is known for Yes, God, Yes (2019), Obvious Child (2014) and Obvious Child (2009).

Yes, God, Yes

11. Matthew Duggan

Actor | To Those Who Wait

Matthew Duggan is known for To Those Who Wait (2010).

The Fuck It List

12. Aaron Schneider

Director | Greyhound

Aaron Schneider is known for Greyhound (2020), Get Low (2009) and Supernatural (2005).

Greyhound

13. Bridget Savage Cole

Director | Blow the Man Down

Bridget Savage Cole is known for Blow the Man Down (2019), Moonhaven (2022) and House of Spoils.

& Danielle Krudy

Blow the Man Down

14. Matthew John Lawrence

Producer | Larry Gone Demon

Matthew John Lawrence is a 30-something filmmaker hailing from the great state of New Jersey. He writes, directs, produces, and edits micro-budget movies and is an Assistant Professor at The College of New Jersey where he teaches courses in media studies and production.

Matthew received his MFA in ...

Uncle Peckerneck