BENJAMIN-SHALOM RODRIGUEZ is a queer, Mexican-Israeli-American writer, director, and comedian. He’s the child of a right wing Zionist mom, and a liberal formerly undocumented Mexican dad...They’re divorced.
Ben just wrapped production on season 2 of STONED BREAKUPS, is in post on his feature directorial debut, AMERICA'S NEXT TOP IMMIGRANT, which he collaborated with Blackmagic Collective on, and is developing a half-hour animated project with Sony. He's also an alumnus of Sundance Screenwriters Intensive, Ryan Murphy’s HALF, NHMC TV Writers Workshop, Fox Writers Intensive, CBS Diversity Showcase, Project Involve, and a recipient of Will & Jada Smith's Family Foundation feature development grant for his film, BAR MITZVAH BOY. He's also written/directed the award-winning short BETTAS ("Best LGBTQ Short," IFS LA Film Festival), and the Apollo Award nominated short, ALPHA; his comedy works DIET & EXERCISE, STONED BREAKUPS: DANIEL, and STONED BREAKUPS: BONNIE have also screened at fests.
Before coming out as a full-blown artist, Ben assisted the producers of DJANGO UNCHAINED, was a talent manager in Miami for telenovela stars, and a features exec for the Lionsgate-backed, 3Pas Studios. He currently serves as a Filmmaker Mentor with Edward James Olmos' Latino Film Institute.
Sundance Advisor //