Samuel Kay Forrest
Samuel Kay Forrest | |
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| Born | Samuel William Kay Forrest August 2, 1989 |
| Nationality | English, Dutch, Canadian, American |
| Citizenship | English, Dutch, Canadian, American |
| Occupation | |
| Organization |
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| Known for | Directing and Acting |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Partner(s) | Aysha Joy Samuel |
| Parents |
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| Relatives |
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| Awards | Award winning filmmaker for HipBeat and Invisible Borders |
| Website | motherearthfilms |
Samuel Kay Forrest (born August 2, 1989) is a multinational filmmaker,[1] writer, director, actor, producer, activist, executive, and owner of Mother Earth Films and Forrest Productions.[2] He is best known as the director, writer, and actor of the award-winning films HipBeat[3] and Invisible Borders.[4]
With his talent and drive, Forrest has become a prominent figure in the film industry, bringing true stories to life through his unique vision and artistic talent.[5] He continues to pursue his passion for filmmaking and activism, inspiring others with his dedication to creating meaningful and impactful work.[6]
Early life and education
Forrest was born on August 2, 1989, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and grew up in a family of actors. His father, Anthony Forrest, and mother, Evelijn Forrest, were both actors, and his grandmother was also involved in the performing arts. When Forrest was very young, his family moved to England, where his mother started teaching drama at his school when he was just five years old.
Forrest spent his childhood in various countries, including England, Canada, and the United States, before eventually settling in London to study theater.
Career
After spending his formative years in London, Toronto, and Los Angeles, Forrest returned to London to pursue acting and began performing on stage all over the UK.[7] He appeared in several short films and TV series, including Don’t Leave Me, Oneironauts, and Awkward Embraces. During this time, he developed an interest in directing and enjoyed collaborating with actors and crew members to tell compelling stories.[8]
To pursue his passion for filmmaking, Forrest attended film school in Los Angeles. After completing his education, he acted in several independent films before ultimately deciding to write and direct independent projects. Some of his notable films include The Queen of Hollywood Blvd, Groove, and Born Dead.[9][10]
However, unfulfilled with his level of acting, Forrest wrote and directed his first feature film, HipBeat.[11] The coming-of-age drama, released in 2021, is about a young man searching for his gender identity in the Berlin underground. The film received critical acclaim and can be found on various platforms.[12][13]
In addition to HipBeat,[14] Forrest has directed several other short films, such as Invisible Borders, As I Dream, Don’t Leave Me, Dark Side of Town, The Light Burns Blue, Her Body, Her Choice!, and Orango. He is the founder and owner of Mother Earth Films,[15] an independent film-directing company based in Ireland and Germany, and the founder of Forrest Productions based in Los Angeles.[16]
In 2023, Forrest released a documentary drama film “Orango,” exploring the themes of love, freedom, and identity. The film premiered at the PAFF in Los Angeles in February 2023.[17]
Currently, Forrest is working on the feature film “GodHead,” for which he is a director and writer. He is also portraying the character Chris Starr in the movie.[18]
Personal life
Forrest resides between Los Angeles, CA and Berlin, Germany.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Don’t Leave Me | TV Reporter | Director, Writer |
| 2010 | Oneironauts | Lars | Actor |
| 2010 | The Magician | Orderly Three | Actor |
| 2011 | Awkward Embraces (Episode 1) | The Crush | Actor |
| 2011 | Key | Morgue Assistant | Actor |
| 2011 | Bounty | Tab Malick | Actor |
| 2012 | Behind the Scenes (4 episodes) | Nathaniel | Actor |
| 2013 | 1%ERS | Journalist | Actor |
| 2015 | Luna | Kay de Verloren | Writer |
| 2015 | Citizens United | Spike, Alexander Hamilton | Actor |
| 2016 | East of Byzantium: War Gids and Warrior Saints | Hun Warrior | Actor |
| 2017 | The Queen of Hollywood Blvd | Roky | Actor |
| 2017 | Groove | James Parker | Actor |
| 2017 | Dark Side of Town: Mauer Der Ruine | Hans Muller | Director, Writer |
| 2017 | Born Dead | Lurking Death | Actor |
| 2020 | Street Survivors: The True Story of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash | Steve Gaines | Actor |
| 2020 | HipBeat[19] | Angus | Director, Writer |
| 2021 | Invisible Borders | Skin | Director, Writer |
| 2021 | As I Dream | Leo | Director, Writer |
| 2022 | The Light Burns Blue | Alexander | Director, Writer |
| 2022 | The Ballad of Bob's Garage | Young Willy | Actor |
| 2023 | Her Body, Her Choice! | - | Director, Writer |
| 2023 | Orango | - | Director, Writer |
In the media
References
- ↑ "Filmmakers - Samuel Kay Forrest". www.filmmakers.eu. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ "Samuel Kay Forrest". IMDb. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ "HipBeat | Film Threat". filmthreat.com. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ "Samuel Kay Forrest". Filmweb (in polski). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ Griffiths, Dave (29 December 2021). "HEAVY Cinema". cinema.heavymag.com.au. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ "Samuel Kay Forrest's Acclaimed Drama HipBeat Gets December Digital Release". occhimagazine.com. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ staff, E. X. B. (25 August 2020). ""Berlin will always be a city for outsiders."". Exberliner. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ Group, Edward Sylvan, CEO of Sycamore Entertainment (17 January 2022). "Samuel Kay Forrest: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker". Authority Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ Spirus, Dr (21 March 2022). "Samuel Kay Forrest, the director of Queer film Hipbeat comes to YASS". YASS Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ "HipBeat Review : Do yourself a favor and see this movie!". Moviehole. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ Mosley, Holly. "HipBeat review: The movie that's as important for the queer community as It's A Sin". www.femalefirst.co.uk. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ staff, E. X. B. (25 August 2020). ""Berlin will always be a city for outsiders."". Exberliner. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ Mosley, Holly. "Samuel Kay Forrest interview: HipBeat director liberates us with the simple mantra, Be Yourself". www.femalefirst.co.uk. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ Reynolds, Dale. "Love is Revolution in Samuel Kay Forrest's "HipBeat" | Hollywood Revealed". www.hollywoodrevealed.com. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ "With Mother Earth Films (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)". IMDb. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ Hoad, Phil (10 February 2022). "HipBeat review – Euro-hedonist party central Berlin sparks sexual-identity crisis". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ Schlutt, Marcel (31 January 2022). "HipBeat - Love is Revolution". KALTBLUT Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ Dossey, Evan (18 August 2021). "HipBeat". Midwest Film Journal. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ↑ "Drag and anarchy: Samuel Kay Forrest's 'HipBeat'". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 24 April 2023.