Biography

Richard Zelniker is an award winning writer and director. He has worked in the US and Canada, on genre films, long form and short form and is known for working with many "up and coming" actors who have become bankable stars. His film, The Vortex, stars Billy Gardell, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Jamie McShane, Azita Ghanizada, Christopher Titus with Nick Gomez, Jeremy Luke and Emily Alabi, and is being distributed by Synkronized Films. The Vortex recently enjoyed a successful limited run in theaters across the US and can now be seen on digital including Amazon's Prime Video. A television version of the theatrical film is in development. Richard writes alongside Callie Nguyen Zelniker, his writing partner and wife, and among their slate ready for production are a cross section of genres; from thrillers, to horror, to comedy. Zelniker is also developing material with a team of screenwriters who have attached Zelniker to direct and produce. Richard Zelniker's list of awards include Tokyo International Film Festival, Toronto Film Channel, and the Venice Short Film Festival, to name a few. Praise for his directorial work includes (As Night Comes) "There's also a beautiful quietness to the film that is so rare these days- it's a quietness that only a sure-handed director can accomplish, who is brave and confident enough to be quiet. And then when there is noise - violence, chaos, a song from the very cool soundtrack- it explodes, and its impact is undeniable." He has produced projects under his banner, Lucid Pictures, and on assignment. Richard Zelniker is represented by Sovereign Talent Group. See Lucid Pictures for more info.
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous

His short films, Beckoned, Green Banana and Unspoken from 2020 - 2022 have won multiple awards across a range of short film festivals.

Where in the hell did "Vinyl" (2003-2010, Anna Faris, Jena Malone, Dominique Swain, Thora Birch, Marla Sokoloff) go?.

He not only directs from his own scripts, but works with a range of screenwriters who have sought Zelniker out to direct and produce their work.

He has three television projects in active development, among them; B-Side set in the world of the Seattle grunge era, '92-'95. The Ace, a TV version of The Vortex, and a LatinX gangster period piece set in early 90's, San Fernando Valley.