Samantha Nell is a renowned filmmaker from South Africa, whose cinematic journey began with a Master's degree from New York University's Tisch School of Arts Asia in Singapore, completed in 2014. Since then, she has traversed four continents, directing and producing a plethora of short films that have garnered international recognition.
In 2012, her short film "Stiff" was handpicked for the prestigious Focus Features' Africa First Program, and it went on to premiere at the 2014 Palm Springs International Shortsfest. The film's accolades include winning the Best Short Film award at the Africa International Film Festival in Nigeria. Her subsequent collaborations have been equally impressive, with her short film "The Beast", co-directed with Michael Wahrmann from Brazil, premiering at the Directors' Fortnight in the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. Moreover, it received a Brazilian Academy Award nomination.
Samantha's most recent short film, "Love Motel", shot on location in South Korea, premiered at the Durban International Film Festival in 2017. Her directorial debut feature film, "Do Your Worst", is set to premiere on Netflix in 2023, marking a significant milestone in her career. Currently, she is developing her second feature, "Miles from Nowhere", a testament to her unwavering passion for storytelling.
Throughout her journey, Samantha has participated in various esteemed development labs, including the Realness Screenwriter's Residency, La Fabrique du Cinema du Monde, TIFF Talent Lab, and the Locarno Filmmaker's Academy, solidifying her reputation as a talented and dedicated filmmaker.
