Derek Frey is a passionate and diligent filmmaker with 15+ years of leadership experience producing live-action and animated films for the major studios and serving as director, editor, and cinematographer on a number of award-winning independent projects.
Frey is currently producing Toto, an animated musical retelling of The Wizard of Oz, told from the perspective of Dorothy’s loyal dog. Frey previously served as Producer of Dumbo (2019), Executive Producer of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016), Executive Producer of Big Eyes (2014), Producer of the Here With Me music video for The Killers (2013) and Co-Producer of Frankenweenie (2012). Derek also served as Associate Producer of Dark Shadows (2012), Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), Alice in Wonderland (2010), Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Corpse Bride (2005), and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005). Films Frey has worked in a producer capacity have earned over $2.9 billion at the box office.
Frey progressed within multiple positions for Tim Burton Productions encompassing Producer, Executive Producer, and Co-Producer on several Tim Burton films and projects. Mr. Frey was promoted from Production Assistant to Tim Burton’s Executive Assistant and advanced to the head of the organization.
Frey wrote the Frankenweenie-based short film Captain Sparky vs. the Flying Saucers (2013). He also edited the award-winning publication The Art of Tim Burton (2009) and produced the documentaries In Search of Tomorrow (2022) and A Conversion with Danny Elfman and Tim Burton (2011). Frey collaborated with curators from MoMA to create the popular “World of Tim Burton” touring exhibit that has traveled to seventeen cities worldwide. Early in his career, he assisted Burton on Mars Attacks! (1996), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Planet of the Apes (2001), and Big Fish (2003).
Frey has also directed numerous indie featurettes, shorts, documentaries and music videos with wide success on the film festival circuit including Awkward Endeavors (2022), Pangea (2018) and God Came 'Round (2017). His dark comedy, Kill The Engine (2017), won 45 awards including Best Comedy and Best Director at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards. His horror featurette Green Lake (2016) won 50 awards including Best Short at the Honolulu Film Fest and Best Short, Director, and Cinematography at the NYC Indie Film Awards.
Other acclaimed projects include Motel Providence (2014), Sky Blue Collar (2013), and The Ballad of Sandeep (2012) in addition to music videos and documentaries featuring music by Professor T & the East Side Shredders, The Killers, Technical Difficulties, Delight Talkies, Witching Hour, and The Mars Patrol.
Derek started his career as an Assistant for the Entertainment Industry Development Corporation and Production Assistant on the sitcom The Faculty (ABC Television).
Frey graduated with honors from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies with a concentration in Journalism. He is also a member of the Producers Guild of America, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, British Film Institute, and American Film Institute.
  • Producer (8 Credits)
    VIATICUM2024
    Short
    AWKWARD ENDEAVORS2021
    Short
    Come In (The Water's Fine)2019
    Experimental, Music Video, Short
    PANGEA2018
    Music Video, Short
    GOD CAME 'ROUND2017
    Music Video, Short
    KILL THE ENGINE2017
    Short
    GREEN LAKE2016
    Short
    MOTEL PROVIDENCE2014
    Short
  • Director (8 Credits)
    VIATICUM2024
    Short
    AWKWARD ENDEAVORS2021
    Short
    Come In (The Water's Fine)2019
    Experimental, Music Video, Short
    PANGEA2018
    Music Video, Short
    GOD CAME 'ROUND2017
    Music Video, Short
    KILL THE ENGINE2017
    Short
    GREEN LAKE2016
    Short
    MOTEL PROVIDENCE2014
    Short
  • Writer (1 Credit)
    GREEN LAKE2016
    Short
BEST HORROR SHORT, DIRECTOR, EDITING, SOUND DESIGN, MUSIC SCORE
GREEN LAKE
Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival
Hollywood
2017
Best Director
GREEN LAKE
Lake View International Film Festival
2016
BEST PICTURE, CINEMATOGRAPHY & SCORE NOMINATIONS
GREEN LAKE
RIP Horror Film Festival
Los Angeles
2016
BEST SHORT FILM
GREEN LAKE
Hollywood & Beyond Film Festival
Hollywood
2016
Award of Merit: Film Short, Original Score, Sound, Editing, Award of Recognition: Actress, Original Song, Cinematography, Makeup
GREEN LAKE
IndieFEST Film Awards
La Jolla
2016
Award of Merit
GREEN LAKE
Best Shorts Competition
La Jolla
2016
Award of Merit
GREEN LAKE
United International Film Festival
NYC
2016
BEST GRINDHOUSE STYLE CULT CREATURE
GREEN LAKE
American Grindhouse Film Festival
Miami
2016
WINNER - BEST MUSIC SCORE. Nominated for Best Short Film, Best Horror.
GREEN LAKE
Prague Independent Film Festival
Prague
2016
BEST SHORT FILM, BEST ACTRESS, BEST ORIGINAL SCORE, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST EDITING, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
GREEN LAKE
NYC Indie Film Awards
NYC
2016
Gold Kahuna Award
GREEN LAKE
Honolulu Film Awards
2016
BEST CINEMATORGRAPHY - NOMINATION
GREEN LAKE
Roswell Film Festival
Roswell
2016
WINNER - BEST POSTER, BEST SCORE & BEST ORIGINA SONG NOMINATION
GREEN LAKE
Los Angeles Cinefest
Los Angeles
2016
BEST SHORT FILM & BEST DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS
GREEN LAKE
Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival
Charleston
2016
Honorable Mention - Best Short
GREEN LAKE
Horror Hotel Film Festival
Hudson
2016
WINNER - BEST HORROR FILM and BEST ORIGINAL SONG (COME IN THE WATER'S FINE)
GREEN LAKE
Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards
2016
Best Director, International Film
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
World Film Awards
Jakarta, Indonesia
2015
Nominated for BEST COMEDY
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
Loch Ness Film Festival
Drumnadrochit, Scotland
2015
WINNER - Aloha Accolade Award
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
Honolulu Film Awards
Honolulu, Hawaii
2015
WINNER - Golden Palm Award
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
Mexico International Film Festival
Baja, Mexico
2015
BEST ENSEMBLE
VIATICUM
VEGAS MOVIE AWARDS
BEST PRODUCER
VIATICUM
VEGAS MOVIE AWADS
BEST ENSEMBLE
VIATICUM
VEGAS MOVIE AWARDS
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
VIATICUM
NYIFA
BEST EDITING
VIATICUM
NYIFA
BEST DARK COMEDY FILM
VIATICUM
NYIFA
BEST EDITING
VIATICUM
ONIROS FILM FESTIVAL
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
VIATICUM
ONIROS FILM FESTIVAL
BEST DARK COMEDY FILM
VIATICUM
ONIROS FILM FESTIVAL
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
VIATICUM
ONIROS FILM FESTIVAL
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
VIATICUM
BERLIN INDIE FILM FESTIVAL
Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Original Score, Best Actress, Best Lighting, Best Cinematography
GREEN LAKE
Los Angeles Horror Competition
Los Angeles
BEST OF THE FEST, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST ACTRESS, BEST LIGHTING, BEST MAKEUP, GOLD AWARD FOR SCREENPLAY
GREEN LAKE
L.A. SHORTS FEST
Los Angeles
Honorable Mention - Best Director
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
Los Angeles Film Review
Los Angeles
WINNER - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
International Film Festival - Documentary, Short, Comedy
Jakarta, Indonesia
Awarded Best Comedy
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
Media Film Festival
Media, Pennsylvania
Nominated for BEST COMEDY & BEST ACTOR (Steve Kuzmick)
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
Brightside Tavern Short Film Festival
BEST DIRECTOR of a SHORT FILM
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
Filmmakers of the Year Film Festival
Nominated for BEST DIRECTOR and BEST EDITING
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema
London, UK
WINNER - BEST DIRECTOR, EDITING, SCREENPLAY, CINEMATOGRAPHY
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
International Movie Awards
Jakarta, Indonesia
Nominated - Best Pennsylvania Filmmaker
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
West Chester Film Festival
West Chester, Pennsylvania
WINNER - BEST COMEDY
MOTEL PROVIDENCE
Night of Short Films - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
College
West Chester University
Communication Studies
19911995
High School
Upper Darby High School
19881991
Birth City
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
Current City
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
Gender
Male
Zodiac Sign
Taurus
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