Megan Griffiths (born April 22, 1975) is an American film and television director who resides in Seattle, and is a board member of Northwest Film Forum.
Early life and education Megan Griffiths was born in Ohio, lived in Moscow, Idaho in her teens, attended Moscow High School, and was an undergraduate at the University of Idaho where she earned a B.A. in visual communications in 1997.
She received an MFA in Film Production from Ohio University School of Film in 2000.Ohio University School Of Film alumni directory
Career Film Griffiths wrote and directed her first feature film, First Aid For Choking, which was released in 2003."‘Lucky Them’ brings director Megan Griffiths’ career into focus", Seattle Times, November 3, 2013 Griffiths subsequently worked as a producer and first assistant director on features in and around Seattle including Zoo, The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle, The Catechism Cataclysm, and Your Sister's Sister.
Her second feature The Off Hours world premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival"Seattle-based filmmaker Megan Griffiths’ cool job", Seattle Times, Aug 10, 2016 and went on to receive a nomination at the 2011 Independent Spirit Awards for Ben Kasulke's cinematography."Ben Kasulke hopes Seattle’s movie moment is no ‘flash in the pan’", Seattle Times, June 10, 2012
Griffiths released Eden in 2012. The film starred Jamie Chung, Matt O'Leary and Beau Bridges, and it told a story about a human trafficking survivor."Eden", Variety, March 14, 2012 The Stranger newspaper wrote, "Griffiths navigates the horrifying facts of her film with great respect," and her direction was described as "a veritable master class in how to make humane art out of inhumanity.""Real-World Horror, Film-World Triumph", The Stranger, May 1, 2013
The following year she released a comedy titled Lucky Them. The film, shot in Seattle, starred Toni Collette, along with Thomas Haden Church, Oliver Platt, and a cameo by Johnny Depp."'Lucky Them': TIFF Film Mixes Toni Collette, Grunge, Groupies And Johnny Depp", Huffington Post, Sept 12, 2013 It premiered in the Special Presentation section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.
Griffiths wrote and directed The Night Stalker, in which Lou Diamond Phillips played American serial killer Richard Ramirez."Lou Diamond Phillips to Play Serial Killer Richard Ramirez in New Movie", Variety, June 10, 2015 The film co-starred Bellamy Young and was acquired by Lifetime Television."'The Night Stalker': SIFF Review", The Hollywood Reporter, June 13, 2016 It aired on June 12, 2016."Lou Diamond Phillips embraces serial killer mentality for ‘The Night Stalker’", KIRO Seattle MyNorthwest.com June 10, 2016
Her sixth feature Sadie starred Sophia Mitri Schoss, Melanie Lynskey, John Gallagher, Jr., Tony Hale, Danielle Brooks, Tee Dennard, and Keith L. Williams. It premiered at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival. Variety said, "writer-director Megan Griffiths’ quietly absorbing and methodically disquieting drama is a genuine rarity.""SXSW Film Review: Sadie", Variety, March 26, 2018
I'll Show You Mine directed by Griffiths and starring Poorna Jagannathan"Poorna Jagannathan to headline Megan Griffiths's dramedy 'I'll Show You Mine'", The Economic Times, May 26, 2021 and Casey Thomas Brown"Poorna Jagannathan, Casey Thomas Brown to Star in Megan Griffiths Dramedy ‘I’ll Show You Mine’ (EXCLUSIVE)", Variety, May 25, 2021 had its debut at Seattle International Film Festival on April 16, 2022."Megan Griffiths on Exploring the Freedom That Comes from Personal Acceptance in “I’ll Show You Mine”", Women And Hollywood, April 15, 2022"‘I’ll Show You Mine’ Bares All To Minimal Effect [SIFF Review]", The Playlist, April 16, 2022 I'll Show You Mine was acquired by Gravitas Ventures and released in theaters and on demand on June 23, 2023."Gravitas Ventures Buys 'I'll Show You Mine' With Poorna Jagannathan", Variety, June 6, 2023
Her eighth film, Year Of The Fox, written by Eliza Flug, also premiered at Seattle International Film Festival on May 13, 2023. The cast includes Sarah Jeffery, Jane Adams, Lexi Simonsen, Jake Weber, and Balthazar Getty."'Year of the Fox' Offers a Wily Look at Coming Into One’s Own", movablefest.com May 14, 2023 Year Of The Fox won Best Directing and Best Feature at the 2023 Catalina Film Festival. It was acquired by Electric Entertainment in February, 2024."Electric Entertainment Acquires Rights To Drama 'Year Of The Fox'", Media Play News February 27, 2024
The short film View From The Floor, directed by Griffiths and Mindie Lind and animated by Joe Garber, premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in the Documentary Shorts Program on January 25th, 2025."Megan Griffiths and Mindie Lind on 'View From The Floor'", The Moveable Fest, January 23, 2025
Television In 2017, Griffiths directed two episodes of Room 104 broadcast on HBO."‘Room 104′ Trailer: HBO Opens Door To Duplass Bros.’ Anthology Series", Deadline, June 2, 2017 "Missionaries" premiered September 8, 2017,"Tonight's Room 104 Takes on Mormon Missionaries and Sexual Repression", The Advocate, September 8, 2017 and "The Fight" premiered on October 6, 2017."ROOM 104 SEASON 1 EPISODES", Medium, July 28, 2017 Both episodes were written by Mark Duplass."The Duplass Brothers are Back on TV! 7 Reasons to Get Excited About ‘Room 104’", Indiewire, July 28, 2017 "Missionaries" was nominated for a 2018 GLAAD Media Award in the "Outstanding Individual Episode" category for its portrayal of two Latter Day Saints companions who begin to question their stereotypes on sexuality."GLAAD Media Awards: The Complete List of Nominees", The Hollywood Reporter, January 19, 2018"ROOM 104 Review: “The Missionaries” ", The Tracking Board, September 9, 2017 Later that year, Griffiths directed one episode of Epix series Graves starring Nick Nolte and Sela Ward titled "They Die Happier" which premiered on December 3, 2017."They Die Happier", Metacritic, December 3, 2017
Griffiths directed one episode of TNT series Animal Kingdom titled "Prey" and starring Ellen Barkin."Animal Kingdom: Why I Hate Myself for Loving TNT's Addictive Drama", TVline, July 15, 2018 "Prey" premiered on June 26, 2018."Animal Kingdom Recap: Crime Pays — Plus, Mia's Coconspirator Is...", TVline, June 26, 2018
Four shows directed by Griffiths aired in 2019. First was "Like A F-ing God Or Something", Episode 6 of The Society on Netflix."TV Review: ‘The Society’ on Netflix", Variety, May 9, 2019 It premiered on May 10, 2019."The Society Recap: The Death Penalty", Ready Steady Cut, May 10, 2019 Her second television job that year was a return to Animal Kingdom."REVIEW: 'Animal Kingdom' - The Latest Job May Change the Way the Cody Boys Conduct Their Business in 'Tank' ", TV Recaps Reviews, June 18, 2019 Griffiths directed "Tank" which aired on June 18, 2019."Animal Kingdom Recap: Death Wish — Plus, Spoiler's Surprising Return", TV Line, June 18, 2019 Her third show that year was Episode 6 of Hulu's Looking For Alaska, "We Are All Going", which aired on October 18, 2019, and starred Kristine Froseth."‘Looking For Alaska’ Review: The Throwback Teen Drama the Genre Needs", Indiewire, Oct 18, 2019 Finally she directed one episode of the Fox Broadcasting Company series Prodigal Son titled "All Souls And Sadists" and broadcast on October 28, 2019."Their wedding was scheduled to be during the coronavirus shutdown. They postponed it — and had a small ceremony, too.", The Wenatchee World, March 20, 2020
Griffiths directed one episode of USA Network series Dare Me starring Herizen Guardiola and Willa Fitzgerald titled "Fog Of War" which aired on March 1, 2020. "REVIEW: 'Dare Me' - News About Will's Life of Tragedy Spreads Throughout the Town in 'Fog of War'", TV Recaps Reviews, March 1, 2020"Dare Me Episode 9:Fog Of War-Review And Recap", Signal Horizon, March 2, 2020 She also directed two episodes of the Netflix series Trinkets starring Brianna Hildebrand titled "Same Time Last Year" and "Black Friday" which both aired on Aug 25, 2020."Trinkets: Season 2/ Episode 7, 8, 9 – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)", Wherever I Look, August 28, 2020"Review: Trinkets, seasons 1 & 2", Old Ain't Dead, September 8, 2020
She directed two episodes of Amazon Studios show Panic. Episode 7 titled "Trust" and episode 8 titled "Returns" both premiered on May 28, 2021."Right Now, You Can Watch ‘Panic’ on Amazon Prime for Free", Indiewire, May 28, 2021"Stream on Demand: Don’t ‘Panic,’ you’re watching with ‘Friends’", The Spokesman-Review, May 28, 2021
Griffiths next directed episode eight in season one of HBO Max series Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin."Interview: Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Cinematographer Anka Malatynska", comingsoon.net, July 31, 2022 The episode, written by Michael Grassi & Stasia Demick, was titled "Chapter Eight: Bad Blood" and it aired August 18, 2022."‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’ Sets July Premiere Date, Reveals First Teaser (TV News Roundup)", Variety, June 15, 2022
In 2023, Griffiths served as the producing director of Prime Video series The Summer I Turned Pretty (TV series), season 2, starring Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno."The Summer I Turned Pretty Is the Felicity of Modern Teen Soaps", TV Guide, August 18, 2023 She directed episode 7: "Love Affair" aired Aug 11, 2023, and episode 8: "Love Triangle" aired Aug 18, 2023."'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Season 2: Everything to Know", People, August 4, 2023
Awards 2011 Emergent Narrative Female Director audience award, South by Southwest 2012 The Stranger Genius Award for Film 2013 City Arts magazine Film Artist of the year. 2015 Seattle Mayor's Award for Outstanding Achievement in FilmSeattle.gov Office of Film and Music https://www.seattle.gov/filmandmusic/film/mayors-film-award 2018 Gryphon Award, Giffoni Film Festival
Filmography Television Year Title Episode(s)2017 Room 104 "Missionaries""The Fight" Graves "They Die Happier" 2018-2019 Animal Kingdom "Prey""Tank"2019 The Society "Like a F-ing God or Something" Looking For Alaska "We Are All Going" Prodigal Son "All Souls And Sadists"2020 Dare Me "Fog of War" Trinkets "Same Time Last Year""Black Friday" 2021 Panic "Trust""Returns" 2022 Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin "Bad Blood" 2023 The Summer I Turned Pretty "Love Affair""Love Triangle"
First Assistant Director $5 Cover: Seattle (2010)
Film Year Title Director Writer Notes 2003 First Aid for Choking Also producer 2011 The Off Hours Also editor and casting 2013 Eden 2014 Lucky Them 2016 The Night Stalker 2018 Sadie 2022 I'll Show You Mine 2023 Year Of The Fox
Short film Year Title Director Writer 2008 Moving 2009 Eros 2025 View From The Floor
Other credits Shag Carpet Sunset (2002) – Director of Photography Urban Scarecrow (2006) – Cinematographer We Go Way Back (2006) – First Assistant Director The Guatemalan Handshake (2006) – Producer/First Assistant Director June and July (2006) – First Assistant Director Zoo (2007) – Assistant Director Cthulhu (2007) – First Assistant Director Butterfly Dreaming (2008) – First Assistant Director The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle (2009) – First Assistant Director The Day My Parents Became Cool (short) (2009) – First Assistant Director The Whole Truth (2009) – First Assistant Director Crimes of the Past (2009) – First Assistant Director Wrong Turn at Tahoe (2009) – First Assistant Director Late Autumn (2010) – First Assistant Director The Catechism Cataclysm (2011) – Producer/Assistant Director/Casting Director Rat Pack Rat (2014) - Producer
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