Biography

A writer and director living in Australia. Martin has over 4 wins and 21 nominations for feature and short films he has directed, written and produced. In 2019 Martin filmed his debut feature film "Moon Rock For Monday", which after a screening in Cannes, worldwide rights were picked up by EOne owned Seville International off-shoot company; Wazabi Films and sold to Cinedigm in North America in 2021. With 8 wins and 24 nominations the film was a hit on the festival circuit playing at Zurich Film Festival, Beijing Film Festival, Busan Film Kids Festival, Adelaide Film Festival and CinefestOz to name a few. It also earned Martin a nomination at the prestigious AACTA Awards for Best indie film in December 2021 as well as winning the Two Top FIPRESCI (The International Federation of Film Critics) at Schlingel, Germany from a panel of independent judges from several European countries. Furthermore Martin's debut feature won the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) Gold State Award and National High Distinction Award for Best Indie Film for Cinematography in 2022. Martin, also Produced a short horror genre film directed by critically acclaimed director Alex Proyas (Dark City, The Crow, Gods of Egypt, I, Robot) which earned 4 wins and 29 nominations including SITGES short film section and Australia's largest short film festival 'Flickerfest'. Martin has Directed several TVC's, Music Videos, Web Series and Pilot TV Series but he started his career mainly directing short films and working as a First and Second Assistant Director on several feature films. Martin is now attached to direct his second feature film which he wrote, the psychological thriller/horror; "The Boy in the Room Below". Martin's comedy screenplay "The Big Murray" was also shortlisted for the prestigious international BlueCat Screenplay festival. Martin says he loves working with actors and has directed films with known actors like Samara Weaving, Nicholas Hope, David Field, Karina Banno, George Pullar, Rahel Romahn, Bianca Bradey, Shane Withington, Simon Westaway, Aaron Jeffery and Alan Dukes. Martin is a member in the Director's Chapter in the Australian Director's Guild, The Australian Writers Guild and the Australian Film Institute / Australian Academy of Cinema, Television and the Arts. After studying Law at Sydney University Kurt decided to move study and complete his Bachelor of Commerce at Macquarie University and then, finally went on to complete his Diploma of Film & Television at TAFE. Martin continued to further his education by completing an Advanced Diploma at Sydney Film School majoring in Directing. Martin is producing a film with Andrew Mason (The Matrix), Troy Lum (former Hopscotch Films, EOne) and Academy Award winning producer Gabrielle Tana based on the prolific writer Patricia Highsmith (Carol, Strangers on a Train, The Talented Mr Ripley).
- IMDb mini biography by: John Santorini