Ben Immanuel, a recipient of over a dozen awards, has accumulated over 100 film and television acting credits, including lead roles in feature films showcased at prestigious festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Sundance, and Berlin.
As a writer, director, and producer, Ben has helmed two award-winning, theatrically released feature films: Down River, which garnered nine wins and twelve nominations, including the Most Popular Canadian Film at the 2013 Vancouver International Film Festival and the Best Feature at the 2014 Soho International Film Festival in New York City; and Moving Malcolm, which won four awards and received one nomination, including the Best Feature Film at the 2003 Washington D.C. Film Festival.
Ben has also written and/or directed and produced numerous short films and web series episodes, directed the television series Robson Arms for CTV, and developed several original television series for Canadian networks.
In the realm of theatre, Ben has appeared in numerous plays, including This by Melissa James Gibson, Dinner with Friends by Donald Margulies, and Italian American Reconciliation by John Patrick Shanley. Early in his career, Ben was nominated for a Jessie Richardson award for his portrayal of "Bobby" in David Mamet's American Buffalo. He has also directed several plays, including the Canadian Premieres of Tommy Smith's White Hot and Christopher Shinn's Dying City, as well as Either We Talk Or We Don't Talk, a collaboration with actors from Haven Studio.
In 2020, Ben wrote and directed the one-man show Casey and the Octopus for the inspiring and dynamic 19-year-old cancer survivor Casey Wright.
Next, Ben is set to release his television series, Trigger Me, which he created and directed, featuring many Haven Studio actors in lead roles. HBO's Westworld director and executive producer Richard J. Lewis has joined the project as executive producer.
Ben began his teaching career in 1995 under the guidance of his mentor, Ivana Chubbuck, author of The Power of the Actor. He has also studied with and been influenced by Larry Moss, author of The Intent to Live, Patsy Rodenburg, author of The Second Circle, and Canada's Mel Tuck.
Having taught acting in Vancouver, Los Angeles, and across Canada, Ben established Haven Studio in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant neighborhood in 2002. He and his team at Haven Studio continue to offer highly sought-after classes to both seasoned veteran actors and ambitious up-and-coming performers.
In 2021, Ben changed his name from Ben Ratner to Ben Immanuel, adopting his middle name to avoid being mistaken for or associated with director/producer Brett Ratner, to whom he has no relation.
