Stephen Dunn (director)

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Stephen Dunn
The Director Stephen Dunn of the film CLOSET MONSTER (CF-CAN), at the presentation, during the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2017), in Panaji, Goa on November 24, 2017.jpg
Stephen Dunn, IFFI (2017)
Born (1989-01-18) January 18, 1989 (age 32)
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Occupation
  • Director
  • screenwriter
  • producer
Years active2010–present
Notable work

Stephen Dunn (born January 18, 1989) is a Canadian director, screenwriter, and producer.[1] He made his feature film directorial debut in 2015 with Closet Monster, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.[2]

Early life[]

Dunn was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.[3] He later studied at the Canadian Film Centre and at Ryerson University.[4][5]

Career[]

Dunn attended film school at Ryerson University in Toronto[6] and produced several short films as a student, many of which screened at festivals. One of his early short films, titled Life Doesn't Frighten Me, starred acclaimed Canadian actor Gordon Pinsent and won various awards, including the CBC Short Film Face-Off, with a cash prize of $30,000.[7] The film also won awards at the Toronto Student Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival in 2013.[8]

His other short films have included Lionel Lonely Heart, Words! Words! Words! and Swallowed.

Closet Monster[]

Main article: Closet Monster (film)

Dunn's feature film directorial debut, Closet Monster, won the award for Best Canadian Feature Film at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.[2] He was also named the inaugural winner of the Len Blum Residency, a Toronto International Film Festival program for emerging directors.[9]

Other work[]

Dunn also recently directed and produced the web series Pop-Up Porno, which streams on YouTube and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.[10][11] He also directed "The Son", a 2020 episode of the Apple TV+ series Little America focusing on a gay immigrant from Syria,[12] and has been writing a planned reboot of Queer as Folk.[13]

Personal life[]

Dunn is openly queer.[14]

References[]

  1. ^ "Watch TIFF Breakout Stephen Dunn's 'Pop Up Porno' Film Series (NSFW)". IndieWire. 2015-09-21. Retrieved 2016-07-25.
  2. ^ a b "Stephen Dunn's 'Closet Monster' Wins Toronto's Best Canadian Feature Award". IndieWire, September 20, 2015.
  3. ^ "TIFF spotlight: Stephen Dunn spotlights urban Newfoundland in 'Closet Monster'". CTV News, September 13, 2015.
  4. ^ "Fourth Year Film student wins 'Best Live Action Film' at TIFF Student Film Showcase". www.ryerson.ca. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  5. ^ "Stephen Dunn". cfccreates.com. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  6. ^ https://ryersonian.ca/rye-grad-overcomes-fear-to-produce-film/
  7. ^ "St. John's director wins Short Film Face Off". CBC News. September 7, 2013.
  8. ^ "Stephen Dunn: Life Doesn't Frighten Me". Ion Magazine. July 17, 2013.
  9. ^ "Stephen Dunn named inaugural Len Blum participant". Playback. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  10. ^ /bent (2015-03-03). "First Look: Stephen Dunn's Sundance Series 'Pop-Up Porno'". Retrieved 2016-07-25.
  11. ^ "Sundance: ‘Pop-Up Porno’ Pokes Fun at Online Hook-Ups". Variety, January 22, 2015.
  12. ^ Daniel Reynolds, "Apple's Little America Spotlights Gay Muslims & Found Family's Power". The Advocate, January 17, 2020.
  13. ^ Lesley Goldberg, "'Queer as Folk' Reboot, 'One of Us Is Lying' Move to NBCUniversal's Streaming Service". The Hollywood Reporter, August 15, 2019.
  14. ^ "Exclusive: Closet Monster Movie Poster". Out, September 8, 2015.

External links[]

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