Riley Stearns Explained

Riley Stearns
Birth Date:June 29, 1986
Birth Place:Austin, Texas, U.S.
Occupation:Filmmaker
Years Active:2008 - present

Riley Stearns (born June 29, 1986) is an American filmmaker best known for directing the films Faults (2014) and The Art of Self-Defense (2019), and Dual (2022).[1]

Early life

Stearns was born on June 29, 1986, in Austin, Texas, and grew up in Pflugerville, Texas.[2] He attended University of Texas at Austin, but dropped out after being turned down by the film program.[3]

Career

Initially wanting to be a musician, Stearns became involved in filmmaking after visiting various movie sets and after being advised on being a screenwriter by Final Destination 3 director James Wong.[4]

Stearns worked as a writer for Cartoon Network's Tower Prep, and for the television series My Own Worst Enemy and Bionic Woman.[5] His short film The Cub became his first film to be premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and also to be featured by Vice Media.[6] [7]

He released his feature debut Faults in 2014. It was later chosen to be part of the Best Unproduced Scripts Black List of 2013. Stearns wrote and directed a second feature, The Art of Self-Defense, which was released in 2019.[1] In 2022, he released his third feature film Dual.[8]

Personal life

In 2010, he married actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead, whom he met during an ocean cruise in 2002.[9] She starred in his first two short films, before starring in his feature film debut, Faults in 2014.[10]

The couple separated in 2017, and divorced later that year.[11]

Stearns is a black belt[12] in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and won a bronze medal at the 2022 ADCC Open in the 70kg Masters Pro division.[13]

Filmography

Short film

YearTitlewidth=65 Directorwidth=65 Writerwidth=65 Producer
2011Magnificat
2012Casque
2013The Cub

Feature film

YearTitlewidth=65 Directorwidth=65 Writerwidth=65 Producer
2014Faults
2019The Art of Self-Defense
2022Dual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'The Art of Self-Defense' filmmaker Riley Stearns talks toxic masculinity and tattoos. . March 25, 2020.
  2. Web site: SXSW Filmmaker Spotlight: Exploring Truths, Lies and Cults in 'Faults'. March 15, 2014 . KUT 90.5 . March 25, 2020.
  3. https://www.indiewire.com/2014/11/meet-the-2014-afi-filmmakers-1-faults-director-on-how-not-to-lose-ten-pounds-on-set-68270/ Meet the 2014 AFI Filmmakers #1: ‘Faults’ Director On How Not to Lose Ten Pounds on Set
  4. Web site: Filmmaker Interview: RILEY STEARNS, writer/director of FAULTS . March 4, 2015 . SAG Indie . March 25, 2020.
  5. https://www.filmcomment.com/blog/interview-riley-stearns-faults/ Interview: Riley Stearns
  6. Web site: The Cub by Riley Stearns: VICE Shorts . . March 25, 2020.
  7. Web site: Director Riley Stearns on his Short Film, 'The Cub'. . March 25, 2020.
  8. Web site: Riley Stearns explains the bizarre performances in his micro sci-fi movie Dual . April 24, 2022 . Polygon . January 31, 2023.
  9. Web site: Mary Elizabeth Winstead: "Fargo Helped Me Embrace My Sexual Side". April 27, 2017 . . March 25, 2020.
  10. Web site: Filmmaker Interview: RILEY STEARNS, writer/director of FAULTS . March 4, 2015 . SAG Indie . March 25, 2020.
  11. https://people.com/celebrity/mary-elizabeth-winstead-splits-husband/ Mary Elizabeth Winstead Splits from Husband Riley Stearns: 'We Are Still Ride or Die'
  12. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnu-EktPshX/
  13. https://arena.flograppling.com/event/b754d945-190c-80a6-8ce4-1c10b0c27f92