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IMDbPro

Richard Zelniker(I)

  • Director
  • Producer
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Director Richard Zelniker at NOHO FEST 2021 red carpet event
Official trailer
Play demo reel2:06
The Vortex Official Trailer
10 Videos
80 Photos
Richard Zelniker is an award winning writer and director. He has worked in the US and Canada, on genre films, long form and short form and is known for working with many "up and coming" actors who have become bankable stars. His film, The Vortex, stars Billy Gardell, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Jamie McShane, Azita Ghanizada, Christopher Titus with Nick Gomez, Jeremy Luke and Emily Alabi, and is being distributed by Synkronized Films. The Vortex recently enjoyed a successful limited run in theaters across the US and can now be seen on digital including Amazon's Prime Video. A television version of the theatrical film is in development. Richard writes alongside Callie Nguyen Zelniker, his writing partner and wife, and among their slate ready for production are a cross section of genres; from thrillers, to horror, to comedy. Zelniker is also developing material with a team of screenwriters who have attached Zelniker to direct and produce. Richard Zelniker's list of awards include Tokyo International Film Festival, Toronto Film Channel, and the Venice Short Film Festival, to name a few. Praise for his directorial work includes (As Night Comes) "There's also a beautiful quietness to the film that is so rare these days- it's a quietness that only a sure-handed director can accomplish, who is brave and confident enough to be quiet. And then when there is noise - violence, chaos, a song from the very cool soundtrack- it explodes, and its impact is undeniable." He has produced projects under his banner, Lucid Pictures, and on assignment. Richard Zelniker is represented by Sovereign Talent Group. See Lucid Pictures for more info.
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 12 wins & 10 nominations total

    Photos80

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    + 74
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    Known for

    As Night Comes (2014)
    As Night Comes
    4.0
    • Director
    • 2014
    Michael Beach, Jamie McShane, and Jeanté Godlock in Unspoken (2021)
    Unspoken
    9.1
    Short
    • Director
    • 2021
    Lisa Collins, Burr Steers, and James Patrick Stuart in Fix (1997)
    Fix
    7.7
    • Director
    • 1997
    The Vortex (2025)
    The Vortex
    8.8
    • Director
    • 2025

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Director



    • Bff
      • Director
      • Pre-production



    • The Vortex (2025)
      The Vortex
      8.8
      • Director
      • 2025
    • Gotta Go (2022)
      Gotta Go
      Music Video
      • Director
      • 2022
    • Michael Beach, Jamie McShane, and Jeanté Godlock in Unspoken (2021)
      Unspoken
      9.1
      Short
      • Director
      • 2021
    • Green Banana (2021)
      Green Banana
      Short
      • Director (directed by)
      • 2021
    • Beckoned (2020)
      Beckoned
      Short
      • Director
      • 2020
    • Candy Apple Red (2019)
      Candy Apple Red
      Short
      • Director
      • 2019
    • The Look-Book (2017)
      The Look-Book
      TV Series
      • Director
      • 2017
    • As Night Comes (2014)
      As Night Comes
      4.0
      • Director
      • 2014
    • A Wrong Turn
      Short
      • Director
      • 2009
    • 17
      Short
      • Director
      • 2007
    • Lisa Collins, Burr Steers, and James Patrick Stuart in Fix (1997)
      Fix
      7.7
      • Director
      • 1997
    • A Test of Will
      Short
      • Director
      • 1994

    Producer



    • Bff
      • producer
      • Pre-production



    • The Vortex (2025)
      The Vortex
      8.8
      • producer
      • 2025
    • Gotta Go (2022)
      Gotta Go
      Music Video
      • producer
      • 2022
    • Michael Beach, Jamie McShane, and Jeanté Godlock in Unspoken (2021)
      Unspoken
      9.1
      Short
      • producer
      • 2021
    • Green Banana (2021)
      Green Banana
      Short
      • producer
      • 2021
    • Beckoned (2020)
      Beckoned
      Short
      • producer
      • 2020
    • Candy Apple Red (2019)
      Candy Apple Red
      Short
      • producer
      • 2019
    • The Look-Book (2017)
      The Look-Book
      TV Series
      • producer
      • 2017
    • As Night Comes (2014)
      As Night Comes
      4.0
      • producer
      • 2014
    • A Perfect Little Man
      7.1
      • producer
      • 1999
    • Lisa Collins, Burr Steers, and James Patrick Stuart in Fix (1997)
      Fix
      7.7
      • producer
      • 1997
    • A Test of Will
      Short
      • producer
      • 1994

    Writer



    • Bff
      • Writer
      • Pre-production



    • The Vortex (2025)
      The Vortex
      8.8
      • Writer
      • 2025
    • Gotta Go (2022)
      Gotta Go
      Music Video
      • Writer
      • 2022
    • Candy Apple Red (2019)
      Candy Apple Red
      Short
      • Writer
      • 2019
    • As Night Comes (2014)
      As Night Comes
      4.0
      • Writer
      • 2014
    • A Wrong Turn
      Short
      • writer
      • 2009
    • 17
      Short
      • Writer
      • 2007
    • Lisa Collins, Burr Steers, and James Patrick Stuart in Fix (1997)
      Fix
      7.7
      • writer
      • 1997
    • A Test of Will
      Short
      • Writer
      • 1994
    • Le Vagabond (1979)
      Le Vagabond
      7.7
      TV Series
      • Writer
      • 1981
    • Pinball, des filles et des flippers (1980)
      Pinball, des filles et des flippers
      4.3
      • screenplay by
      • 1980

    • In-development projects at IMDbPro

    Videos10

    Sample Scenes from Richard Zelniker films
    Demo Reel 12:29
    Sample Scenes from Richard Zelniker films
    The Vortex Official Trailer
    Demo Reel 2:06
    The Vortex Official Trailer
    The Vortex Official Trailer
    Demo Reel 2:06
    The Vortex Official Trailer
    The Vortex Trailer
    Demo Reel 1:24
    The Vortex Trailer
    Candy Apple Red - scene
    Demo Reel 1:18
    Candy Apple Red - scene
    Gotta Go official music video
    Demo Reel 3:17
    Gotta Go official music video
    Zelniker horror sizzle reel
    Demo Reel 1:14
    Zelniker horror sizzle reel

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Official sites
      • Article/Interview on Richard Zelniker's Life & Work
      • Official website for Lucid Pictures and Richard Zelniker
    • Publicity listings
      • 1 Interview
      • 1 Article

    Self-verified on IMDbPro

    • Gender / Gender identity
      • Male
    • Pronouns
      • he/him

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      His short films, Beckoned, Green Banana and Unspoken from 2020 - 2022 have won multiple awards across a range of short film festivals.

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