Known for creating stories for the hopeless romantics, Dean Parker is an American director and editor from Loveland, Ohio, now based in Los Angeles.
Inspired from an early age by films like Toy Story, Harry Potter, and E.T., Dean has spent his life drawn to the magic of storytelling. Over the years, his films have been selected for screening at dozens of film festivals, including the Academy Award-qualifying Nashville Film Festival, Cinequest Film Festival, and LA Shorts International Film Festival. More recently, his work earned nominations for the Tim Burton “Native Burbank” Visionary Award and the Wes Craven Horror/Thriller Award for his viral short film Don’t Do It.
Romanticism, belonging, and desire are recurring themes throughout Dean’s work. He is drawn to stories about people searching for connection—often finding themselves somewhere between what they want, what they fear, and what they’re willing to risk for the people they love.
For Dean, filmmaking is as much about discovery as it is about storytelling. He thrives on the possibilities that emerge from collaboration and the opportunity to work alongside talented artists who bring new perspectives to each project. Above all, he hopes his films leave audiences feeling something—and that every film he makes teaches him something new about the craft, the world, and himself.
SELECTED ACCOLADES
NOMINEE: Wes Craven Horror/Thriller Award - 2023 Catalina Film Festival (for Don’t Do It)
NOMINEE: Tim Burton “Native Burbank” Visionary Award - 2023 Burbank International Film Festival (for Don’t Do It)
2023 Official Selection at LA Shorts International Film Festival (for Don't Do It)
2021 Official Selection at Cinequest Film & VR Festival (for Dead Emerson: Sucker Punch)
2020 Official Selection at National Film Festival for Talented Youth (for Dead Emerson: Sucker Punch)
2017 Official Selection at Nashville Film Festival (for Images)
60th CINE Golden Eagle Award for Narrative Youth Media (for Images)
2021 NATAS Ohio Valley Emmy Student Production Award - Long Form Fiction (for Virtually in Love)