Bio

Born and raised in Israel, Oren Shai has been making films since 1999. In 2000, he co-founded ‘Baboon’, a critically acclaimed group of independent Israeli filmmakers. In 2001 Oren moved to New York to pursue film studies at the School of Visual Arts. In 2005, he was presented with the School’s ‘Outstanding Achievement in Directing’ award for his short film, ‘Heavy Soul’ and a BFA in Film. ‘Heavy Soul’ screened at SXSW and garnered many enthusiastic reviews at publications and websites as Film Threat, Shock Cinema, Greencine and more. His latest short, ‘Condemned’ has been praised by IndieWire, Moviefone, and USA Today, among others. He is also a regular contributor to Films In Review, the oldest film publication in the United States, and wrote film pieces for other publications in the U.S., Israel, and Italy. In 2010, Oren received his MA in Individualized Studies from NYU. He currently resides in LA, developing his first feature film.

E-mail at: oren@rockingoren.com