Adam Salky

Adam Salky, an American television and film director, was born in 1978 and is also recognized as a discipline head in film directing at the American Film Institute. His artistic journey began in the heart of the diverse and frenetic cityscape of New York City, which significantly shaped his creative bearings. Salky laid the foundation of his future career at Emory University, culminating in a Bachelor's degree, and later pursued an MFA at Columbia University in the film division. His tenure at Columbia University enabled him to create several award-winning short films and he was acknowledged with the James Bridges Award for his competence. Salky's professional career in the film industry was marked by his debut as a director with the romantic drama, Dare, in 2009. The film earned critical acclaim and premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, further resonating with audiences at other film festivals. Salky's directorial panache was again visible in the 2015 film, I Smile Back, featuring Sarah Silverman. The film, based on Amy Koppelman's novel of the same name and addressing mental illness and addiction, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2021, Salky directed another notable film, Intrusion which starred Freida Pinto and Logan Marshall-Green. Apart from his endeavor in the film domain, Salky was selected for the Warner Bros. Television Directors’ Workshop in 2016 and directed three episodes of NBC’s TV show, Blindspot. His professional engagements extend beyond film directing to roles at Sundance Institute's Sundance Labs program too, where he worked as an advisor, and guest lecturing at Columbia University and University of Southern California to impart knowledge about film direction.