Sam is based in London, but was raised in Paris and Johannesburg. He began directing in the theatre in Ireland while studying History & Political Science at Trinity College Dublin. In 2016, he graduated with an MA in Directing Fiction from the National Film & Television School.
Sam’s work is firmly in the genre space, and is defined by a strong visual style and dark sense of humour, while exploring worlds that are new and often unsettling. He has had the great fortune of directing outstanding actors like Ian McKellen, George MacKay, John Shrapnel, and Marion Bailey. The Cocaine Famine, his sixth and most recent short film, has screened at 40 international festivals, picking up 10 awards and further nominations for Best Comedy Short and Best Director.
Sam’s first feature Hitchhikers is shooting in Summer 2022. Sam has further experience of the format having worked as a director’s assistant on both Florian Zeller’s Oscar-winning debut The Father, Pascale Lamche’s Sundance-winning documentary Winnie, and James Kent’s The Aftermath, as well as a Second Unit Director on a number of feature projects.
Alongside developing several television and feature projects. Sam also works as a freelance creative for BBC Creative, writing and directing promos for BBC News, BBC World Service, and BBC Radio 1Xtra.
Sam lives in East London with his partner and their baby boy.
