Stephen Sawchuk is an award-winning LGBTQIA2S+ Writer/Director/Producer based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Shortly after leaving his home town of Edmonton, AB (where he was born and raised) Stephen graduated from Vancouver Film School’s Film Production program and began his career working in the production of unscripted television where he learned a lot about efficient budgeting/scheduling, maximizing provincial & federal tax credits, building an entire team/production from the ground up, and adapting to endless unpredictable elements & ever-changing storytelling (from the field to the edit suite). Stephen has always been an avid horror fanatic, and he is eager to focus on the pursuit of his true passion (genre filmmaking). In 2016, Stephen wrote/directed/produced (and self-funded) his first short film, ‘FWD’, which was an official selection and award winner at festivals including Toronto After Dark, Vancouver Int’l Film Festival, New York Horror Film Festival, Oregon Scream Week, Atlanta Horror Film festival, Scare LA, LA Short Film Festival & Victoria’s Shock Therapy. In November 2022, he completed the script for his second short film, ‘Hell Is A Teenage Girl’ – which he also wrote, directed & produced (and self-financed with his best friend, Elysia Rotaru, on a budget of a few grand… and calling in plenty of favors!) The short was completed in January 2024. Since beginning its run in the festival circuit a few months ago, it has been an official selection of Fantasia Int’l Film Festival 2024, 57th Annual Houston World Fest (winner: Best Horror Short), Mammoth Int’l Film Festival 2024 (4 x Nominations for Achievements in Directing, Writing, Cinematography & Acting), Atlanta Horror Film Fest 2024, Cannes Indie Int’l Film Fest 2024 (winner: Best Director, Best Horror) and Luxembourg Indie Int’l Film Fest 2024 (winner: Best Actress).