Stephen Dest was born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, and has since made a name for himself as a renowned writer/director/producer. His most notable works include the critically acclaimed short film Blind, which premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, and the feature films My Brother Jack, I Am Shakespeare, and Blood Bond, set to release in 2025.
Dest's impressive resume boasts a plethora of awards, including Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Film, and a New Visions Nominee. In 2012, he was honored with the "Artist of the Year Award" by the Arts Council of New Haven (CT),recognizing his outstanding contributions to the world of cinema. The following year, he was selected as an "Artist in Residence" at the esteemed Napa Valley Film Festival, where he had the opportunity to be mentored by the accomplished writer/director Joe Carnahan and Oscar-nominated producer Christine Vachon.
In addition to his work in film, Dest is a professor of film studies at the University of Connecticut and the author of the thought-provoking book "A look at Film & Social Justice in Cinema Today" (Cognella Publishing). Prior to his successful film career, Dest was a professional stage actor/manager and director, having worked on over 200 plays and musicals in some of the most renowned theaters in the country.
As the founder of the film and theatre department at Neighborhood Music School, Dest has had the privilege of nurturing the talents of aspiring artists. He has also served as a consultant and judge for various film festivals and production companies, utilizing his expertise to support emerging talent and advocate for innovative storytelling.
