Shana Feste

Shana Feste, born on August 28, 1975, is a renowned American film director and screenwriter, gaining her fame for the meticulous care which she pours into her works. Born and raised in Palos Verdes, California, Feste's early life saw a shift when her parents divorced, prompting summers spent in Texas. Academic life forged her path into filmography, with a master's degree in Creative Writing and Screenwriting from the University of Texas at Austin and further studies at the American Film Institute from where she graduated in 2003. Overcoming obstacles common to many students, such as working as a nanny, waiting tables, and tutoring, to pay her tuition, Feste's hardwork paid off as she landed a job as an assistant at the Creative Artists Agency post-graduation.

Her directorial debut came with 'The Greatest,' which was based on emotional events from her personal life and was screened at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. She has since directed and written a range of critically-acclaimed films, including Country Strong, Endless Love, Boundaries, Run Sweetheart Run, and has writing credits for You're Not You. Her knack for creating authentic and resonant narratives has earned her a Humanitas Prize nomination. Notably, she also teaches up and coming film enthusiasts at the American Film Institute. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Feste utilized lockdown to create, write, and direct the podcast Dirty Diana over Zoom, which was swiftly picked up by Amazon for a streaming series.