A true triple threat, Sam Upton is a throwback filmmaker, best known for his directorial debut -- 12 ROUND GUN -- of which he also wrote and stars. 12 ROUND GUN became a festival hit, attending 23 festivals and taking home 14 awards. The gritty boxing drama (which also stars Mark Boone Junior and Jared Abrahamson) had an incredible 2 year stint on NETFLIX, and is now streaming everywhere. As an actor, Upton can be seen in films like THE LINCOLN LAWYER, RUNNER RUNNER, GONE, STAND UP GUYS, and THE VATICAN TAPES just to name a few. He has shared scenes with: Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, Bobby Cannavale, Justin Timberlake, Anthony Mackie, Amy Brenneman and many more. Also as an actor, Mr. Upton has guest starred in hit shows including Hawaii Five-0, CSI, and The Glades. His work in the theater garnered him a nomination for an Artistic Director Achievement Award for his portrayal of Mick in Messin' With Destiny. Upton has also acted in dozens of national TV commercials, and has worked with some of the biggest directors in the business. He is a 2-time winner of the Manhattan Monologue Slam, for an original piece he wrote. Most recently, Sam just became a TOP 10 FINALIST at the CINEQUEST screenwriting competition for his pilot script THE CHAMELEON. He has written, directed, and starred in multiple short films, including his most recent short, ‘HANGMAN’ starring Peter Storemare and Annabeth Gish. HANGMAN has screened at twenty-four festivals all over the country, and has garnered six awards to date. A few highlights include Mr. Upton receiving Best Director at The Georgia Shorts Film Festival, and Best Screenplay at The Playhouse West Film Festival while Peter Stormare has taken home THREE best actor awards. (follow him on Instagram - @mrsamupton)
  • Writer (4 Credits)
    THE CHAMELEON
    Television Script
    HANGMAN 2022
    Short
    No Man's Land2021
    Short
    12 ROUND GUN2017
    Feature
  • Director (3 Credits)
    HANGMAN 2022
    Short
    No Man's Land2021
    Short
    12 ROUND GUN2017
    Feature
  • Producer (1 Credit)
    HANGMAN 2022
    Short
  • Acting (1 Credit)
    12 ROUND GUN2017
    Feature
WINNER - BEST DIRECTOR - SAM UPTON ~ WINNER - BEST DRAMA
HANGMAN
Georgia Shorts Film Festival
2023
WINNER - SAM UPTON Best Actor/Director
12 ROUND GUN
Austin Revolution Film Festival
Austin, TX
2018
WINNER - Best Sound - Johnny Martini
12 ROUND GUN
Blue Whiskey Film Festival
Chicago, Illinois
2018
WINNER - Best Supporting Actor - Mark Boone Junior
12 ROUND GUN
Blue Whiskey Film Festival
Chicago, Illinois
2018
WINNER - 'VANGUARD AWARD' for excellence in Independent Filmmaking
12 ROUND GUN
Independent Filmmakers Showcase
Los Angeles
2018
WINNER - "Inspiration Award"
12 ROUND GUN
Louisville's International Festival of Film
Louisville, Kentucky
2017
WINNER - Audience Choice Award for BEST FEATURE
12 ROUND GUN
The Beverly Hills Film Festival
Hollywood, CA
2017
FINALIST
THE CHAMELEON
CINEQUEST Screenwriting Competition FINALIST
Best Screenplay
HANGMAN
Playhouse West
North Hollywood, CA
WINNER
HANGMAN
Hollywood Shorts
Hollywood, CA
WINNER- PETER STORMARE- BEST ACTOR
HANGMAN
Studio City International Film Festival
Studio City, CA
BEST ACTOR - PETER STORMARE WINNER- BEST TV SERIES/PILOT
HANGMAN
Venice Shorts
Venice, CA
FINALIST
HANGMAN
USA Film Festival
Dallas
BEST ACTOR - PETER STORMARE
HANGMAN
The Beverly Hills Film Festival
4x Award Nominations
HANGMAN
Austin Revolution Film Festival
WINNER - Best Director
12 ROUND GUN
Beverly Hills Film Festival
JURY PRIZE - BEST FEATURE
12 ROUND GUN
Cinema At The Edge
Santa Monica, CA
BEST ACTOR - Sam Upton
12 ROUND GUN
Cinema At The Edge
Santa Monica, CA
WINNER - AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD - BEST FEATURE
12 ROUND GUN
Independent Filmmakers Showcase
Beverly Hills
WINNER - First time Filmmaker
12 ROUND GUN
Honolulu Film Awards
WINNER - BEST FEATURE
12 ROUND GUN
Mindfield Film Festival LA
Los Angeles
Birth City
NYC
Height
6'2"
Children
2
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