Ben Nadler Film

RECENT PROJECTS

Who He Was ~ Writer, Producer, Director, Actor | Spring 2025

Now currently in post-production, "Who He Was" is a short film written, produced, and directed by myself. Co-produced by Jasad Pearson, the story revolves around the recent loss of a queer teen, Blake (starring myself), and how it has affected his father, Robert (starring Nick Mitchell), and his queer partner, Jordan (starring Adin Teres). The two bereaved characters meet for a fateful meal at a diner that shows them they both knew a very different Blake from the other. Focusing on themes of self-identity, mental health awareness, and forgiveness, the script for this LGBTQ+ tale has already been honored by making the short list at Barnstorm Fest 2024. It is slated for a spring 2024 release that will then bring it to the domestic and international festival circuit.

ACTING CREDITS:
The Next Galileo (ONGOING) | Winter 2025
Evil Dead, The Musical | Fall 2024
Angels In Amerca, Pt. 1 | Summer 2024

Recent acting credits as of 2024-25 include:
~ The Next Galileo (ONGOING) ~ "Man 1" ~ dir. Joseph Domencic (Pittsburgh CLO)
~ Evil Dead, The Musical ~ "Ed" ~ dir. Nick Mitchell (Pittsburgh Musical Theater)
~ Angels In America, Pt. 1 ~ "Louis Ironson" ~ dir. Tucker Topel (Elsewhere Theatre)

South Park Theatre's Playwriting Class | Spring & Fall 2024

For the second year, I had the privilege of being asked to teach a 7-week playwriting class to young students between the ages of 12-18, plus I taught an adult version of the class for the first time Fall 2024. Showing students the fundamentals of story structure, theater history, and dialogue/monologue has proven to be some of the most fulfilling work that I get to take part in. After many peer-run workshops, a panel of professional local actors performed cold readings of the students' scripts in front of a showcase audience of family and friends.

Why Tell Stories?

My passions fall into the realm of stories that repair our world. Gender, sexuality, mental health, wellness... These are all topics that need to come to the forefront in order to create change. As a storyteller, I take my work seriously. My projects, ranging from children's theater and Pokémon fan films to LGBTQ+ short films and everything in between, all have the goal of moving the dial in the direction of a safer, kinder, more inclusive society.

I want to help people by moving those who can take action, and inspiring those who otherwise feel disempowered. Storytelling can be the catalyst.

HONORS

CLIMATE ACTION CAMPAIGN (HARDPIN MEDIA) / 2024
The Telly Awards (Silver Winner, Campaign-Political Issues & Candidates)

Production manager for overall CAC project, as well as one of the writers for the silver award-winning series of climate storytelling videos

LOS HUEVOS / 2019
Emerson 48 Hour Film Festival

Main writer and sound mixer of original 48-hour short film that won for Best Comedy at the final screenings for the 48 Hour Film Festival at Emerson College

SHADOW MINDS: SEASON ONE / 2019
Emerson Independent Video

Head writer, co-executive producer, and director of original web series that won for Outstanding Field Television Series and nominated for Oustanding Single-Camera Direction at Emerson College's 38th Annual EVVY Awards