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Karyn Kusama

Sundance Advisor //

Karyn Kusama most recently directed the first two episodes of AMC's horror anthology series, THE TERROR: THE DEVIL IN SILVER, of which she is also an executive producer. The show is set to premiere in 2026. Karyn was also an executive producer of Showtime’s coming-of-age survival drama, YELLOWJACKETS. The show has garnered ten Emmy nominations to date, including one for Karyn’s direction of the pilot episode.


Prior to that, Karyn helmed the Golden Globe-nominated film DESTROYER starring Nicole Kidman and written by her frequent collaborators, Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi. Her feature credits include indie thriller THE INVITATION, cult horror comedy JENNIFER'S BODY, sci-fi love story AEON FLUX, and her Cannes and Sundance-award winning debut, GIRLFIGHT. Karyn has also worked extensively in television, directing episodes for such series as THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY (for which she won a Children’s and Family Emmy Award), DEAD RINGERS, HALT AND CATCH FIRE, THE OUTSIDER, and THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE.


In 2018, Karyn launched Familystyle Film, her production company with Hay and Manfredi, where they produce for film and television across multiple genres. 

Collab items I'm associated with:
Event Recording

Conversations from the Sundance Institute Labs | Karyn Kusama (DESTROYER) on Directing and Prepping Your Film

Director: Karyn Kusama
$10

Conversations from the Sundance Institute Labs | Karyn Kusama (DESTROYER) on Directing and Prepping Your Film

Director: Karyn Kusama
$10
Event Recording

Conversations from the Sundance Institute Labs | Roundtable on Mentally Preparing to Direct with Ira Sachs (FRANKIE), Karyn Kusama (DESTROYER) & more

With: Keith Gordon and 3 more
$10

Conversations from the Sundance Institute Labs | Roundtable on Mentally Preparing to Direct with Ira Sachs (FRANKIE), Karyn Kusama (DESTROYER) & more

With: Keith Gordon , Ira Sachs, Kasi Lemmons and Karyn Kusama
$10
Video

Directing Actors on Set with Karyn Kusama (YELLOWJACKETS)

Director: Karyn Kusama
FREE

Directing Actors on Set with Karyn Kusama (YELLOWJACKETS)

Director: Karyn Kusama
FREE
Video

Directing Actors: Casting & Rehearsing with Karyn Kusama (YELLOWJACKETS)

Director: Karyn Kusama
FREE

Directing Actors: Casting & Rehearsing with Karyn Kusama (YELLOWJACKETS)

Director: Karyn Kusama
FREE
Master Class

Master Class: Thriving as a Woman in Leadership with Pat Mitchell and Karyn Kusama (GIRLFIGHT)

Instructor: Pat Mitchell and Karyn Kusama
$30

Master Class: Thriving as a Woman in Leadership with Pat Mitchell and Karyn Kusama (GIRLFIGHT)

With: Pat Mitchell and Karyn Kusama
$30
Courses & Events
Topics
ScreenwritingTV WritingDirectingProducingDocumentaryCareer & BusinessCreative Technology
Formats
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Community
Film ClubStory ForumWriters CaféCommunity ForumCommunity LeadersImpact ResidencyThe Bridge
Resources
Filmmaker ToolkitGrants & Opportunities
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