Sophie Penn is a writer, director, and entrepreneur known for her unique approach to independent filmmaking. Her films intricately weave dark and enigmatic retellings of classic tropes, delving into the complexities of the human psyche and the experiences that shape moral values. As someone who challenges conventional notions of hyper-femininity, Sophie examines societal expectations placed on women, dismantling gender stereotypes through strong-willed female protagonists.
A graduate of Syracuse University with a BFA in Film, Sophie co-founded a commercial production company in Austin during a gap year prompted by COVID. Her subsequent Austin-based debut short film, "Halcyon Days," achieved success through a $20k crowdfunding campaign and multiple festival selections. Her thesis film, “Mirage” was the first virtual production at Syracuse University, and a finalist at Lighthouse Film Festival and Independent Shorts Awards - the latter of which awarded her Best Female Student Director. Sophie is currently in post production for her latest short film, “In Our Veins” and is in development for her debut feature film, “Valkyrie.”
From a hands-on beginning as a Staff Production Assistant on studio TV and movies in New York City, she now oscillates between the independent and commercial sectors as a Production Coordinator and Assistant Director, while simultaneously working on her own creative projects.
Sophie Penn is an award winning independent Writer, Director, and Producer from San Francisco, California. She is currently based out of New York City.
PRESS
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Independent Shorts Awards 2024
2023 Top 25 American Film Schools, Ranked (featuring a behind the scenes image from the set of “Mirage”)
An interview with the filmmakers behind Halcyon Days
How Writer and Director Sophie Penn started creating her independent short film “Halcyon Days”
How 4 SU students founded ‘Voyager,’ a film production company