Ben Stranahan

Ben began his professional career in the arts as a graduate of both the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. He has since had success as an Actor, Producer and Musician. Ben has produced many feature films including Mean Dreams starring Bill Paxton, Sophie Nélisse, Josh Wiggins and Colm Feore, which premiered in 2016 in the Directors Fortnight at Cannes and as a Special Presentation at TIFF. Mean Dreams went on to be sold into over 50 countries and have theatrical releases in over 10 territories. He's also produced the genre-bending psychological thriller Population Zero that's been critically lauded around the world and produced the thriller Calibre, which was released on Netflix in 2018 and was nominated for 4 BAFTA's winning one for Best Actor - Jack Lowden. His most recent production work was Castle in the Ground. Starring Imogen Poots, Neve Campbell and Alex Wolff, Which premiered at TIFF and SXSW. In the TV landscape, Ben has produced the smart anthology series The Midnight Anthology starring Clancy Brown. The pilot has premiered at the New York Television Festival in 2015 and won both the Artistic Achievement and Best Director awards at the festival. Ben and the The Midnight Anthology team are in development on the remaining episodes of the series. As an actor, Ben has had the opportunity to perform in theatre, television and film. He has an electric energy that is injected into every role and is known to be a Director's actor, working with the people around him to bring out the most compelling and dynamic characters. Ben belongs on the stage and in front of the camera, feeling at home with other artists and performers. Ben, an Aspen native who was raised by inspiring and creative parents, found himself at a young age gripped by a lifelong pursuit and passion for the arts. Ben finds solace in something he once heard Richard Linklater say in an interview "People who ask me why I make films, don't understand that it's a not a choice. Painters paint, filmmakers make films." Ben considers the arts to be the most important thing he can engage in and explore - both for himself and his community.