Romina Schwedler

http://www.RominaSchwedler.com

Romina Schwedler is an award-winning director and screenwriter based in New York City.

Romina was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina where she began her artistic career as a classical dancer. At the early age of 15, she moved to NY by herself after being selected for the School of American Ballet. She followed with music education at The Juilliard School and acting training at the William Esper Studio, during which she began to be featured in films, TV, music videos and commercials.

Daughter of a successful Argentinean actress/director and an award-winning photographer, Romina developed a passion for visual storytelling at a young age. 

In 2014, she directed How a Man Gets Ready (a spec commercial/ micro-short film she also wrote, produced and starred in). Through this piece, she was selected as one of the top emerging directors of the year at SHOOT Magazine’s 12th Annual New Directors Showcase.

This piece, as well as Bad Connections (another micro-short she wrote/directed), and The Slapper Flapper (a silent comedy micro-short she shot with her phone), went on to screen at venues such as Hollywood's TCL Chinese Theater and New York's Tribeca Screening Room, receiving 23 festival awards and 4 nominations combined.

While representing her micro-shorts on the festival circuit, Romina wrote -and in time directed- her first short film, The Visit, a psychological drama starring Academy Award® Nominee June Squibb and Sean Maher, which gained inclusion in 47 film festivals, among them Oscar® Qualifying Cinequest, St. Louis International, HollyShorts, and the SAG-AFTRA Short Film Showcase, receiving 13 awards, 16 nominations, and 5 special mentions. Awards include Best Short Film, Best Overall Festival Film, and Best Director.

Romina's new film, Now You See Us, is a short comedy based on the play Boom, written by Barbara Miluski, for which Romina also wrote the adapted screenplay. The film stars Barbara Miluski and Caroline Ryburn and was shot with a mostly female crew. Now You See Us premiered recently (10/15/2020) at the Chelsea Film Festival where it won the Special Jury Award, and will be screening next (11/5-11/22) at Oscar® Qualifying St. Louis International Film Festival.

Romina is currently in the process of developing a half-hour comedy series she co-created with award-winning screenwriter James V. Hart (Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Hook, August Rush) and two-time Emmy Award winning director/producer, Scott Winant (Californication, Thirtysomething Huff). 

Skills

Writing
Directing
Editing

My Latest News

Romina Schwedler Wins Millie Award For Best Director At The Milledgeville + Eatonton Film Festival For Her Short Film "The Visit"
Thursday, May. 3, 2018
This was the Georgia premiere for the award winning film starring Sean Maher ("Firefly") and June Squibb ("Nebraska"). The ME Film Festival, which wrapped last Sunday, celebrated its 5th Anniversary this year with a notable focus on women filmmakers, a mission that festival founder and president... read more
3 New Nominations For "The Visit," Including Best Drama Short
Tuesday, Apr. 3, 2018
2018 TWISTER ALLEY FILM FEST NOMINEES​ read more
ITZMOVIES - THE VISIT INTERVIEW AT 2018 MAMMOTH FILM FESTIVAL
Monday, Feb. 19, 2018
A second #FemaleFilmmakerFriday interview for you from the Mammoth Film Festival with Romina Schwedler, director/ writer/ producer of the short film, The Visit, starring Oscar-nominated June Squibb & Sean Maher from Serenity! If you want to know... read more
JEANBOOKNERD ROMINA SCHWEDLER INTERVIEW AND THE VISIT FILM REVIEW
Friday, Feb. 16, 2018
Romina was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the early age of 15, she moved to NYC by herself to study at the School of American Ballet and The Juilliard School. She followed with intensive acting training at the William Esper Studio, during... read more
Writer/Director Romina Schwedler’s Debut Film "The Visit" Wins The U.S. Short Film Award Of Excellence At The Catalina Film Festival
Monday, Oct. 23, 2017
"The Visit" won the U.S. Short Film Award Of Excellence at the Catalina Film Festival last month. The award ceremony took place at the historic Avalon Theatre in Catalina Island, featuring honorees like veteran producer Marcia Nasatir, young actor Wyatt Oleff and director Catherine Hardwicke among... read more
"The Visit" Official Trailer
Monday, Oct. 23, 2017
The Visit is a compelling story skillfully told by writer, director, producer Romina Schwedler, featuring memorable performances by Sean Maher and June Squibb as well as the exquisite cinematography of Alain J. Carmona and a masterful original score by award-winning composer Dan Zlotnik. Ben joins... read more
Cinequest 2017 Shorts: "The Visit"
Sunday, Mar. 19, 2017
Writer/director Romina Schwedler finds a way to put a spin on a classic subject matter in her short film, “The Visit,” moving the story from straight-up drama to belonging in Cinequest 2017’s “Mindbenders” program. read more
Director Romina Schwedler's "The Visit" Starring June Squibb Set For Festival Debut
Friday, Aug. 26, 2016
Filmmaker Romina Schwedler, who broke into SHOOT ’s 2014 New Directors Showcase on the strength of an Axe comedy spec spot titled “How a Man Gets Ready,” has wrapped her first dramatic short film, The Visit , which stars Academy Award nominee June Squibb (nominated for a Best Supporting Actress... read more
Evolving, Diversifying, Adapting, Mentoring At SHOOT Directors/Producers Forum, New Directors Showcase
Thursday, Jun. 19, 2014
No matter what one’s station is in the industry--well established or trying to make that initial career mark--adapting to changing times, cultivating and realizing opportunities are all part of a constant process. That was reflected at SHOOT ’s afternoon Directors/Producers Forum and evening New... read more
38 Directors Fill 32 Slots In SHOOT's New Directors Showcase
Tuesday, May. 27, 2014
Welcome to this special SHOOT >e.dition with detailed coverage of the 12th Annual New Directors Showcase which was celebrated with an evening screening, panel discussion and reception on Thursday, May 22, at the DGA Theatre in New York. The 2014 New Directors Showcase offers a total of 38 up-and... read more
SHOOT 2014 New Directors Showcase Celebrates 12th Year
Thursday, May. 22, 2014
SHOOT debuted its 12th Annual New Directors Showcase reel at the DGA Theatre in NYC last night, followed by a panel discussion moderated by SHOOT publisher and editorial director Roberta Griefer featuring six of the up-and-coming filmmakers as well as feedback and counsel from Don Block, executive... read more
SHOOT Showcase To Introduce Next Generation of Filmmakers
Tuesday, May. 13, 2014
SHOOT ’s New Directors Showcase celebrates its 12th year on the evening of Thursday, May 22, at the DGA Theatre in New York City, highlighted by the introduction of a 2014 roster consisting of 38 up-and-coming directors who fill 32 slots. The field breaks down to the following numbers: 27... read more

Awards/History

Romina's awards/nominations/mentions include:

* Honoree - Emerging Director - SHOOT Magazine New Directors Showcase - HOW A MAN GETS READY / 2014

* Win - Best Micro-Short Film Award - Houston Comedy Film Festival - HOW A MAN GETS READY / 2014

* Nomination - Best Short by a Woman - Burbank International Film Festival - HOW A MAN GETS READY / 2014

* Win - Gold Award/Concept - International Independent Film Awards - HOW A MAN GETS READY / 2014

* Win - Silver Award/New Media Film - International Independent Film Awards - HOW A MAN GETS READY / 2014

* Win - Silver Award/Editing - International Independent Film Awards - HOW A MAN GETS READY / 2014

* Win - Best Commercial - California International Shorts Festival - HOW A MAN GETS READY / 2014

* Win - Best Micro-Short by a Woman - Lionshead Film Festival - HOW A MAN GETS READY / 2014

* Win – Award of Excellence/Women Filmmakers - Accolade Global Film Competition - HOW A MAN GETS READY / 2015

* Win - Best Commercial - California International Shorts Festival - BAD CONNECTIONS / 2015

* Win - Award of Merit Special Mention - IndieFest Film Awards - BAD CONNECTIONS / 2015

* Win - Best Micro-Short by a Woman - Lionshead Film Festival - BAD CONNECTIONS / 2015

* Win - Best Micro-Short - Austin Revolution Film Festival - BAD CONNECTIONS / 2015

* Nomination - Best Micro-Short Film - Austin Comedy Film Festival - BAD CONNECTIONS / 2015

* Nomination - Female Filmmaker of the Year - Austin Revolution Film Festival / 2016

* Win - Best Micro-Comedy - Austin Revolution Film Festival - HOW A MAN GETS READY / 2016

* Win - Best Short by a Woman - Burbank International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2016

* Nomination - Best Actor SEAN MAHER - Burbank International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2016

* Finalist - Audience Award – Sedona International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2017

* Honorable Mention – Myrtle Beach International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2017

* Finalist - 39th Annual Short Film Competition - USA Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2017

* Nomination – Best Short Film  CayFilm / Cayman Island International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2017

* Nomination - FICIE - Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente de Elche - Best First Short Film - THE VISIT / 2017

* Finalist - Juried Short Film Competition - Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2017

* Win - Audience Choice Award - Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2017

* Win - U.S. Short Film Award of Excellence - Catalina Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2017

* Nomination - Best Short Film (Charlie Chaplin Award) - Blow-Up International Arthouse Film Fest - THE VISIT / 2017

* Nomination - Best Actress (Monica Vitti Award) - Blow-Up International Arthouse Film Fest - THE VISIT / 2017

* Win - Audience Choice Award - Florence International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2017

* Win - Best Actress Award JUNE SQUIBB - Florence International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2017

* Win - Best Actor Award SEAN MAHER - Florence International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2017

* Nomination - Best Drama Short Film - Twister Alley Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Nomination - Best Ensemble Drama Short Film - Twister Alley Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Nomination - Best Director Drama Short Film - Twister Alley Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Nomination - Best Short Film - Milledgeville + Eatonton Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Win - Best Director - Milledgeville + Eatonton Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Win - Best Supporting Actress June Squibb - Milledgeville + Eatonton Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Win - Best Dramatic Short Film - Milledgeville + Eatonton Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Nomination - Best US Short Film - SOHO International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Nomination - Audience Award - SOHO International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Nomination - Best Actress in a Short Film June Squibb - SOHO International Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Nomination - Best Actress/ Short Film June Squibb - Austin Revolution Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Nomination - Best US Dramatic Short Film - Austin Revolution Film Festival- THE VISIT / 2018

* Nomination - Best Cinematography/ Short Film - Austin Revolution Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Nomination - Female Filmmaker of the Year - Austin Revolution Film Festival / 2018

* Win - Best U.S. Short Film - Borderlands Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Win - Audience Award - Borderlands Film Festival - THE VISIT / 2018

* Win - Founder’s Award (for contribution to the feature film Yellow Scare) - Golden Door Film Festival - YELLOW SCARE / 2018

* Win - Honorary Award - Catfish Shorts Film Festival (London UK) - THE VISIT / 2019

* Win - Special Jury Award - Chelsea Film Festival - NOW YOU SEE US / 2020

Filmography

How a Man Gets Ready (Spec Ad/Micro-Short Film): 00:01:14

Bad Connections (Spec Ad/Micro-Short Film): 00:01:00

The Visit (Short Film/Drama): 00:12:30

Now You See Us (Short Film/Comedy): 00:11:00

Film Festival History

Hollyshorts Film Festival

Cinequest Film Festival

Vail Film Festival

CayFilm - Cayman Island International Film Festiva

CineGlobe Film Festival

Sunscreen Film Festival

Myrtle Beach International Film Festival

Vaughan International Film Festival

Maryland International Film Festival

Sedona International Film Festival

Burbank International Film Festival

Las Cruces International Film Festival

FICIE - Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente de Elche

SAFILM - San Antonio Film Festival

Toronto Short Film Festival

Houston Comedy Film Festival

LA Indie Film Festival

New Filmmakers NY

Austin Comedy Film Festival

Austin Revolution Film Festival

Oregon Short Film Festival

Lionshead Film Festival

SOHO International Film Festival

Orlando Film Festival

Florence Short Film Festival

Miledgeville & Eatonton Film Festival

Borderlands Film Festival

Chelsea Film Festival

St. Louis International Film Festival

SAG-AFTRA Short Film Showcase

Location

Brooklyn, NY
United States
Phone: 917-699-2172

Contact Me