Susan Cohen

After graduating from the University of Toronto and before fulfilling her dream of working in the film industry, Susan honed her skills as a producer and executive in the software, interactive and online arenas in both Canada and the United States. In 2001, Susan decided to pursue her dream to become a filmmaker – and she’s never looked back. Susan’s first foray as a producer was on the American Film Institute (AFI) thesis film FUELILNG THE FIRE, which received a Directors Guild of America award and has gone on to win more than twelve national and international awards and has been an official selection at thirty-three film festivals worldwide. FULEING THE FIRE has also aired on HBO and Cinemax. She produced AFI’s DWW short film LAYING DOWN ARMS, directed by Carol Schreder and executive produced by Jon Avnet. She also produced ANIMATED AMERICAN, a live action with animation short film, directed by James Baker and Joe Haidar. In addition, Susan has produced commercials and a music video for ER star Scott Grimes. Susan is slated to produce two independent features, NOT DEAD YET, REALLY and THE CHEF, and is developing a television series, STILL ME. In the summer of 2007, Susan was selected as one of the eight women to participate in AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women. OPEN YOUR EYES is Susan’s writing and directing debut. She is now working on writing her first feature, which she hopes will be her feature directing debut.