Biography

Nicholas Zafonte (Writer, Director, Producer) has worked for some of the top advertising agencies in the country. He's produced award-winning work for brands such as American Express, Johnnie Walker, Axe, LG, Miller Lite, and Levi's, the most notable being the record-breaking "Spread the Cheer" viral campaign featuring Elf Yourself which had over 40 million visits and a half a billion hits all in less than 5 weeks and was featured on CNN, Good Morning America, The New York Times, USA Today, VH1's Best Week Ever, and Entertainment Weekly's The Must List. In addition, he is the founder of the social innovation art collection The Starving Artists Project.

In 2011, he co-founded Sharawadgi Productions with writing and producing partner, J.D. Singer. In 2012, he directed the award-winning short film The First Day. He is currently in preproduction on his first feature film.
- IMDb mini biography by: Sharawadgi

Nicholas Zafonte was born on August 29, 1979 in Valley Stream, Long Island and spent the early part of his life trying to get out.

An all-star high school varsity wrestling career was cut short because of a broken collarbone, leaving him with hours of nothing to do. He would soon pick up a Fender Stratocaster and leave all dreams of jock stardom behind.

He became addicted to music, eventually learning to play the guitar, bass, alto saxophone, and piano as he played in various rock bands. He was the primary songwriter and produced two demos with his band Quiddity before the band broke up around him. Apparently Law School and girlfriends were way cooler than being in a band. Who knew?

Again, left with an abundance of creative energy and nowhere to put it (thanks to a long-distance girlfriend), Nick began work on his first novel while still in college. 9 months later he completed it and quickly vowed it would be his last novel.

After graduation, he headed down to Atlanta to study advertising at The Creative Circus. Apparently selling your soul isn't so bad when you pretend to be learning to walk the tight rope.

At the Circus he accepted a bunch of local and national awards and to his surprise found himself, for the first time in his life, employable. He has freelanced and held staff jobs at some of the best advertising agencies around. BBH NY, Goodby, Silverstein and Partners, Toy, Wieden and Kennedy, Chiat/Day, BBDO, etc.

To his pleasure (and the dismay of his friends and family) Nick is an eternally inspired soul. He divides his time between advertising, filmmaking, and various social innovation projects.

He now resides in New York with his laptop and 3 busy careers.
- IMDb mini biography by: Sharawadgi Productions