Brendan Young is director/writer and, occasionally a cinematographer and editor. A devoted lifelong cinephile and filmmaker with an unending desire to tell powerfully emotive and entertaining stories. I mean, what else is there?
Brendan began his filmmaking career armed with a Super 8 camera and a burning desire to shoot and make films. He also had a brief stint as a child actor, which included a small role in the Aussie movie grind-house classic “Mad Max”. Ultimately his real passion lay behind the camera.
Brendan graduated from the Australian Film Television and Radio School majoring in cinematography and film direction. His graduation film, the comedy sci-fi thriller, “Wild Planet” went on to win a number of local and international awards including the Gold Jury Prize at the Houston International Film Festival, The Red Ribbon at the American Film and Video Festival - San Francisco and Best Student Film at the Hof Film Festival in Germany.
Brendan was launched into a diverse filmmaking career which saw him working as cinematographer and editor on an array of award winning films, music videos, tvcs and promos, which then evolved into a successful career as a director working in film, television and commercials.
His relationship comedy short film, “Three Chords And A Wardrobe” was a hit on the international festival circuit including being voted “Best Australian short film” at the 1998 Sydney Film Festival as well as being theatrically distributed in the U.S. in select theatres and broadcast on the Sundance Channel along with a slew of international cable channel and broadcasters.
Brendan often combines his work as a TVC director with various filmmaking projects and television documentaries including directing episodes of the Southern Pictures/ABC TV series "Family Confidential" (2014). Writing and directing the AFI/ACTAA award-winning documentary for ABC TV Arts & Entertainment, “You Only Live Twice – The Incredibly True Story of The Hughes Family” (2010) His other broadcast documentary credits include: “The Two Donnies" – The Two Of Us” (SBS Independent, 2006); ”Love and Anarchy - The Wild World Of Jaime Leonarder” (SBS, 2002) And "Conspiracy" for the 10 Network/ Mystery Clock Cinema (1999).
Recently Brendan has been focusing on developing a slate of dramatic film projects including the noir crime-action- thriller, “The Widow” set in Melbourne in the early 1960s. Towards the end of 2018, a 30-minute short “proof of concept” version of the film was launched on to the international festival circuit and to date has collected more than 100 awards. "The Widow" is currently being developed into a 6-part limited drama series for streaming while Brendan continues to develop other projects such as "Reunion" - a music based drama comedy-romance and "Number 8 With A Bullet!" - a suspenseful crime thriller set in South Philadelphia in the 1980s. He's just pitched a 6 part crime-espionage-thriller set In Saigon, Vietnam in the volatile year of 1963 to HBO Asia called "Saigon '63: Violent City".
  • Producer (5 Credits)
    CONTROL2023
    Music Video
    Love The Sinner2022
    Music Video
    Life is Elsewhere2021
    Music Video
    When The Bloom Has Left The Rose2020
    Music Video
    The Widow2018
    Short
  • Writer (5 Credits)
    CONTROL2023
    Music Video
    Love The Sinner2022
    Music Video
    Life is Elsewhere2021
    Music Video
    When The Bloom Has Left The Rose2020
    Music Video
    The Widow2018
    Short
  • Director (5 Credits)
    CONTROL2023
    Music Video
    Love The Sinner2022
    Music Video
    Life is Elsewhere2021
    Music Video
    When The Bloom Has Left The Rose2020
    Music Video
    The Widow2018
    Short
  • Editor (2 Credits)
    When The Bloom Has Left The Rose2020
    Music Video
    The Widow2018
    Short
  • Art Department & Set Dressing (1 Credit)
    When The Bloom Has Left The Rose2020
    Music Video
  • Cinematographer (1 Credit)
    When The Bloom Has Left The Rose2020
    Music Video
Awards: Best Music Video with a Narrative; Special Award Category: Outstanding Multi-Talented Duo (Brendan Young & Catherine McQuade)
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
X World Film Short Film Festival - AOF Action On Film International Film Festival
Las Vegas, Nevada
2021
Official Selection
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Canberra Short Film Festival
Canberra, ACT
2021
Award: 2nd Best Music Video of The Month
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
CKF international Film Festival
London
2021
Awards: Best Director Music Video; Best Cinematography Music Video
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Sweden Film Awards
Stockholm
2021
Finalist.
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Venice Film Awards
Venice
2021
Finalist
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Oniros Film Awards - New York
New York, N.Y.
2021
Official Selection
The Widow
X World Film Short Film Festival - AOF Action On Film International Film Festival
Las Vegas, Nevada
2021
Official Selection
The Widow
American Golden Picture Internation Film Festival Annual Event 2021
Jacksonville, FL
2021
Awards: Best Film; Best West; Best Performance
The Widow
The Setting Sun Film Festival
Yarraville, Victoria
2021
Award: Best Film Noir of the Year.
The Widow
Top Shorts Film Festival 7th Annual Awards 2021
Los Angeles, C.A.
2021
Awards: Best Thriller; Best Actress.
The Widow
Global Indie Film Festival
Glasgow
2021
Award: Best Production Design
The Widow
London International Monthly Film Festival
London
2021
Awards: Best Narrative Short - Silver Award; Best Directing - Silver Award; Best Lead Actress - Silver Award; Best Lead Actor - Silver Award; Best Supporting Actor - Silver Award; Best Costume Design - Silver Award.
The Widow
Latitude Film Awards
London
2021
Awards: Best Short Film; Best lead Actress - Short film; Best Supporting Actor - Short Film; Best Director - Short Film; Best Short Drama - Crime.
The Widow
The Indie Gathering International Film Festival
Cleveland, Ohio
2021
Awards: Best Director - Gold Award; Best Film Score - Gold Award; Best Actress - Silver Award; Best Actor - Silver Award; Best Cinematography - Silver Award; Best Sound Design - Silver Award; Best Crime Film - Silver Award; Best Short - Silver Award.
The Widow
Virgin Spring CineFest
Kolkata
2021
Awards: Best Actress - Platinum Award; Best Crime Short Film - Gold Award; Best Actor - Silver Award; Best Director - Silver Award
The Widow
Eastern Europe International Movie Awards
Izmir
2021
Awards: Best Actor; Best Actress; Best Director; Best Film Score - Soundtrack; Best Supporting Actor; Best Crime Short, Outstanding Achievement award - Short Film.
The Widow
Cult Critic Movie Awards
Kolkata
2021
Awards: Outstanding Achievement Short Film; Award of Excellence - Actor - Leading; Award Of Excellence - Actress - Leading.
The Widow
The Indie Fest Film Awards
La Jolla, CA
2021
Awards: Best International Narrative; Best Script
The Widow
Venice Shorts Film Awards
Venice, CA
2021
Awards: Best ShortFilm; Best Director; Best Actor (Male); Best Actor (Female); Best Music Score
The Widow
Crown Wood International Film Festival
Kolkata
2021
Awards: Best Original Score - Silver Award; Best Costume Design - Silver Award; Best Supporting Actor - Short Film - Bronze Award; Best Short Film - Mystery/Thriller - Bronze Award.
The Widow
Queen Palm International Film Festival
Palm Springs, California
2021
Official Selection
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
London Lift-Off Film Festival
London
2020
Award: Best Music Video
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Procida International Film Festivalf
Procida, Campania
2020
Semi-Finalist
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Best Director Awards
London
2020
Award: Best Music Video
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
London Independant Film Awards
London
2020
Award: Best Music Video - Special Mention
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Vesusvius International Monthly Film Festival
Naples, Campania
2020
Awards: Special Mention Art Direction Short Film; Special Mention Costume Design Short Film.
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Five Continents International Film Festival
Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela
2020
Award: Best Music Video - Diamond Award.
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Mindfield Film Festival - Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
2020
Official Selection
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Feel The Reel International Film Festival
Glasgow
2020
Awards: Best Music Video; Best Costume Design in A Short Film; Best Art Direction in A Short Film; Best Cinematography in a Short Film; Honorable Mention: Direction in a Short Film; Honorable Mention: VFX in a Short Film; Audience Award: Third Audience Award
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
South Film and Arts Academy Festival
Rancagua
2020
Award: Best Music Video - Gold Award.
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Independent Short Awards
Los Angeles, California
2020
Award Of Merit: Best Debut Performance; Award Of Excellence: Best Costume Design
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Vegas Movie Awards
Las Vegas, Nevada
2020
FINALIST
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Hollywood Gold Awards
Los Angeles, California
2020
Awards: Best Music Video; Outstanding Achievement Award - Microfilm; Outstanding Achievement Award - Costume Design.
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Indie Short Fest
Los Angeles, California
2020
Semi Finalist
When The Bloom Has Left The Rose
Festigious Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
2020
Award: Best Horror/Mystery/Crime Short.
The Widow
Europe Film Festival U.K.
London
2020
Awards: Best Short Film; Best Female Actor.
The Widow
Golden Earth Film Award
2020
Award: Outstanding Achievement Award.
The Widow
Berlin Flash Film Festival
Berlin
2020
Awards: Best Crime Film; Best Noir Film.
The Widow
Short Cine Fest
2020
Award: Honorable Mention.
The Widow
Hollywood International Golden Age Festival
New York, N.Y.
2020
Awards Best Short Narrative - Diamond Award; Best Director - Diamond Award; Best Actor - Diamond Award; Best Supporting Actor - Diamond Award; Best Actress - Diamond Award; Best Editing - Diamond Award; Best Cinematography - Diamond Award; Best Original Score - Diamond Award.
The Widow
Pinnacle Film Awards
Hollywood, California
2020
Awards: Best Action Film; Best Actress; Best Sound Design; Best Original Score; Best Costume Design; Best Trailer
The Widow
Rome International Movie Awards
Rome, Lazio
2020
Award: Best Film
The Widow
L.A. Neo Noir Novel, Film, & Script Festival
Los Angeles, California
2020
Official Selection
The Widow
South Eastern International Film Festival
Nashville, Tennessee
2020
Official Selection
The Widow
The Fargo Fantastic Film Festival
Fargo, ND
2020
Offical Selection
The Widow
Crystal Palace International Film Festival
London
2020
Awards: Bet Short Fiction; Best Lead Actress; Best Lead Actor
The Widow
Amercian Golden Picture International Film Festival
Jacksonville, Florida
2020
Awards: Best Crime Film; Best Film Noir; Honorable Mention: Actress.
The Widow
Los Angeles Film Awards
Los Angeles, California
2020
Offical Selection
The Widow
UK Monthly Film Festival
Norwich, Norfolk
2020
Offical Selection
The Widow
The Vision Splendid - Outback Film Festival
Winton, Queensland
2020
Awards: Best Short Film; Best Actor in A Short Film; Best Actress in A Short Film; Best Supporting Actor; Best Thriller Film; Best Crime Film; Best Costumes; Best Art Design
The Widow
Flicks Monthly Film Festival
London
2020
Awards: Best Film; Best Directing; Best Actress; Best Actor; Best Cinematography; Best Edit
The Widow
Sicily Independent Film Awards
Sicily
2020
Awards: Best Foreign Short - Platinum; Best Drama Short - Platinum; Best Action/Thriller - Platinum; Best Actress - Platinum; Best Actor - Platinum; Best Director - Short - Platinum; Best Original Music Score
The Widow
Royal Wolf Film Awards
Los Angeles, California
2020
Awards: Best Thriller; Best Actor Short Film; Best Trailer; Honorable Mention: Director Short Film
The Widow
Prague International Monthly Film Festival
Pargue
2020
Awards: Best Actress; Best Actress in a Crime Film
The Widow
Actors Awards
Los Angeles, California
2020
Awards: Best Director - Short; Best Thriller; Best Film Noir; Best Actress
The Widow
New York International Film Awards
New York, N.Y.
2020
Awards: Short Film: Best Actress - Gold Award; Short Film: Best Director - Silver Award; Short Film Best Picture - Gold Award;Best Film Score - Silver Award
The Widow
Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival
Los Angeles
2020
Awards Best Film of the Month; Best Director of The Month; Best Actress of The Month; Best Editor of The Month; Nominations: Set Cinematographer of the Month; Best Original Score of the Month.
The Widow
The Monthly Film Festival
Glasgow, Scotland
2020
Finalist: Best Thriller
The Widow
PARIS Play Film Festival
Paris
2020
Awards: Best Film Noir; Honourable Mention: Director; Honourable Mention: Actress.
The Widow
TOP SHORTS
Los Angeles
2020
Award: Best Foreign Short Film
The Widow
Mindfield Film Festival - Albuquerque - Annual Live Festival Event
Albuquerque, New Mexico
2020
Awards: Best Short Film; Best Director - Short Film; Best Actress.
The Widow
Oniros Film Festival - ANNUAL COMPETITION 2020
Saint-Vincent
2020
Awards: Award of Excellence - Best Costume Design; Award of Excellence - Best Sound Design; Award of Prestige - Best Actress; Award of Merit - Best Director
The Widow
Vegas Movie Awards
Las Vegas, Nevavda
2020
Awards: Honourable Mention - Thriller Short Film; Honourable Mention - Costume Design
The Widow
Venice Film Awards
Venice
2020
Official Selection
The Widow
ConZealand Film Festival
Wellington
2020
Award: Best Narrative Short Film - July
The Widow
Bridge Fest
Vancouver
2020
Awards: Best Thriller - Short Film; Best Actress - Short Film; Best Costume Design - Short Film
The Widow
Istanbul Film Awards
Istanbul
2020
Awards: Best Thriller Short Film; Best Actor Short Film; 2nd Best Director Short Film
The Widow
Kosice International Monthly Film Festival
Košice
2020
Award: Best Thriller
The Widow
Reale Film Festival
Milan
2020
Awards: Best Short Film - Diamond Award; Best Director - Diamond Award; Best Actor - Platinum Award; Best Actress - Diamond Award; Best Original Score - Diamond Award
The Widow
Mindfield Film Festival - Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
2020
Awards: Best Short Film of the Month; Best Actor ( Female Foreign); Best Director Short Film
The Widow
CKF International Film Festival
Swindon
2020
Award: Best Director Short film - GOLD Award
The Widow
Hollywood Gold Awards
Los Angeles, California
2020
Official Selection
The Widow
St. Kilda Film Festival
Melbourne
2020
Awards: Best Short (April); Best Production Design (April)
The Widow
Gold Movie Awards
London
2020
Best Thriller Short Film; Best Supporting Actor Short Film; Special Mention Director Short Film; Special Mention Lead Actress Short Film; Special Mention Production Short Film; Special Mention Costume Design Short Film; Special Mention Team Performance Short Film
The Widow
Five Continnents International Film Festival
Lechería, Anzoategui
2020
Official Selection
The Widow
Capital City Film Festival
Lansing, Michigan
2020
Award: InkTip Award; Nominations: Best Lead Performance Short Film; Best Original Score
The Widow
Blast Off
Los Angeles
2020
Offical Selection
The Widow
Manchester Film Festival
Manchester
2020
Official Selection
The Widow
Prague International Indie Film Festival
Prague
2020
The Year Grand Champion. (overall winner Annual round up)
The Widow
Creation International Film Festival 2019-2020 Annual Gala Event
Los Angeles
2020
Awards: Best Short Film; Best Actress, Best Original Score and Honorable Mention- Production Design
The Widow
New York Movie Awards
New York
2020
Award: Outstanding Performance - Daniela Farinacci (overall top honour)
The Widow
BEST ACTOR AWARD
Aosta
2020
Semi-Finalist
The Widow
Dumbo Film Festival
New York
2020
Official Selection
The Widow
International Short Awards
Cesena, Emilia-Romagna
2020
Official Selection
The Widow
Flickerfest International Short Film Festival
Sydney
2020
Awards: (awarded on October 26th (Best Of The Fest ( Best Film); Best Screenplay; Best Actress; Nominations: Best Director; Best Cinematography; Best Music Score.
The Widow
Feel The Reel International Film Festival
Iasi
2020
Awards: Best Actress - Thriller; Best Actor - Thriller; Best Director Excellence - Thriller; Best Cinematography - Thriller; Best Poster - Thriller -- Nominations: Best Short - Thriller; Best Trailer
The Widow
X World Short Film Festival
Rome
2019
Nominee: Best Fiction.
The Widow
Sound & Image Challenge International Festival
Macau
2019
Awards: Best In Show; Best Crime Drama- Short; Best Cinematography - Short; Best Lighting - Short; Best Sound Design - Short; Best Supporting Actor - Short.
The Widow
Creation International Film Festival
Los Angeles
2019
Nominee: Best Foreign Short Film
The Widow
Reel East Texas Film Festival
Kilgore, Texas
2019
Official Selection
The Widow
Weyauwega International Film Festival
Weyauwega, Wisconsin
2019
Award: Short Film Factory Festival Award
The Widow
Short Film Factory
Bucharest
2019
Official Selection
The Widow
Cardiff International Film Festival
Cardiff, Wales
2019
Awards: Best International Short Drama; Best International Actress - Nominations: Best International Actor; Best International Cinematography; Best International Director
The Widow
The Cutting Room International Short Film Festival NYC
New York, New York
2019
Official Selection
The Widow
Apocalypse Later International Fantastic Film Festival
Phoenix, Arizona
2019
Awards: Best Actress; Best Director; Best Noir Film, Best Thriller. Nomination: Best Short film
The Widow
Oniros Film Awards
Saint-Vincent, Valle d'Aosta
2019
Awards: Best Short Film (Inspiration Competition); Best Actress; Best Writing; Best Period Piece; Best International Film - Nominations: Best Supporting Actor; Best Director (Inspiration Competition); Best Cinematography.
The Widow
Two Roads International Film Festival
Brooklyn, New York
2019
Official Selection - Nominee: Best Actress - Short Film; Best Director Short Film; Best Short Film
The Widow
GenreBlast IV - Film Fest & Script Contest
Winchester, Virginia
2019
Awards: Best Crime Short Film; Best Lead Actress in A Short Film; Best Cinematography In A Short Film; Supporting Actor In A Short Film - Honorable Mention; Team Performance In A Short Film - Honorable Mention; Production In A Short Film - Honorable Mention; Costume Design In A Short Film - Honorable Mention;
The Widow
South Film and Arts Academy Festival
Rancagua, O'Higgins
2019
Official Selection
The Widow
San Antonio Film Festival
San Antonio
2019
Official Selection
The Widow
Moscow Shorts
Moscow
2019
Awards: Best Actress- Short Film; Special Jury Award - Best Film Noir; Nominee: Best Director - International Short film
The Widow
Venus Italian International Film Festival
Las Vegas, Nevada
2019
Nominee: Best Short Film; Best Short Drama; Best Production Design; Best Actress
The Widow
Hollywood Verge Film Awards
Los Angeles
2019
Award: Best Short Narrative
The Widow
Miami Independent Film Festival
Miami, Florida
2019
Awards: Best Actress; Best Crime Short
The Widow
Hollywood Blood Horror Festival
Los Angeles, California
2019
Award: Best Director Short Film
The Widow
Florence Film Awards
Florence
2019
Awards: Best Actress - Short Film; Best Foreign Thriller Short Film (tied with Ordinary Everyday)
The Widow
Hollywood South Film Festival
Springfield, Kentucky
2019
Official Selection
The Widow
Revelation Perth International Film Festival
Perth, Western Australia
2019
Award: Best Noir Short; Nominee: Best Cinematography, Best Music Score
The Widow
Genre Celebration Festival
Tokyo
2019
Award: Best International Short Film
The Widow
Jersey Shore Film Festival
Deal, New Jersey
2019
Award: Best Supporting Actor ; Nominee: Best Actress; Best Crime Film
The Widow
IndieX Film Fest
Los Angeles
2019
Official Selection
The Widow
River Film Festival
Padua
2019
Nominee: Best Short Film
The Widow
Silicon Beach Film Festival
Los Angeles, California
2019
Official Selection
The Widow
Georgia Shorts Film Festival
Atlanta
2019
Award: Shoestring Trophy
The Widow
Rochester International Film Festival
Rochester, New York
2019
Official Selection
The Widow
Arizona International Film Festival
Tuscon, Arizona
2019
Awards: Platinum REMI Award Suspense/Thriller - shorts; Platinum REMI Award Music Score - shorts
The Widow
WorldFest Houston International Film Festival
Houston, Texas
2019
Award: Best Film Noir; Nominee: Best Crime Film; Best Thriller, Best Action Film, Best Actress; Best Costume Design
The Widow
Indie Short Fest
Los Angeles, California
2019
Official Selection
The Widow
Golden State Film Festival
Los Angeles, California
2019
Awards: Best Crime Film; Best Film Noir; Best Actress; Best Original Film Score
The Widow
Independent Shorts Awards
Los Angeles, California
2019
Official Selection
The Widow
Spello International Short Film Festival
Spello, Umbria
2019
Semi-Finalist
The Widow
Rome Independent Prisma Awards
Rome
2018
Award: Best Original Music Score
The Widow
LA Crime and Horror Film Festival
Los Angeles, California
2018
Award: Migliore Interpretazione (Best Performances) A collective cast accolade.
The Widow
Amarcort Film Festival
Rimini, Emilia-Romagna
2018
College
Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS)
Cinematography and Direction
19841988
Birth Date
March 13, 1965
Birth City
Melbourne
Current City
Melbourne
Hometown
Melbourne
Gender
Male
Zodiac Sign
Pisces
A short stint as a child actor with a small speaking part in the first "Mad Max" movie.
"If you have to shoot, shoot! Don't talk"
Brendan Young is director/writer and, occasionally a cinematographer and editor. A devoted lifelong cinephile and filmmaker with an unending desire to tell powerfully emotive and entertaining stories. I mean, what else is there?
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