Daniel is an independent filmmaker from New York who's found his reality through the lenses of contrast.
Having studied at the School of Visual Arts film program, his persistence paid off earning him both SVA
and Kodak grants as well as acceptance into the prestigious Actor's Studio observation program. While
working for acclaimed producer Ben Barenholtz (BARTON FINK), he made several diverse films. This gave
Daniel a strong foundation to work from in which he made BUTTERCUP, which went on to tour German
movie theatres in 1997 & 1998 as part of the "BLUE HEARTS OF NY" traveling festival of short films
(distributed by MOP Distribution, Germany).
Daniel's next film KINGS, was one of the first to document the resurgence of the female to male cross-dressing
culture in NYC's lower eastside. A festival circuit hit, the black and white film was featured in THE FACE
magazine and had the honor of closing night film at New Zealand's 1997 HERO FESTIVAL.
His follow up comedy, PACIFIER (as producer),played to sold-out screenings including SLAMDANCE,
CHICAGO UNDERGROUND and FLORIDA film festivals.It was with praise from critics such as Chris Gore
of Film Threat that Pacifier went on to win the GRAND JURY AWARD at Maryland's MICRO-CINE FEST (2000)
and subsequently found distribution through OTHER CINEMA'S: XPERIMENTAL EROS shorts compilation (2007).
In 2001, Daniel completed an experimental documentary on magician David Blaine and his stunt of burying
himself alive. Entitled 10,082, the film was awarded BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM at the 15th annual
U.S. SUPER 8mm Film Festival (2003)
STICKERS (2004), his ambitious 35mm narrative short, captures the world of a third grader and the haunting
disappearance of his best friend and classmate. Premiering at the New York City Horror Film Festival, the film
won an award for Best Cinematography and Best Short film at the Independent Horror Fest and Clash Of The
Artists competition respectively. STICKERS has also been featured on the Independent Film Channel
website news, being called "quietly unsettling", by Dan Parsons.
Recently, Daniel has been working on a series of experimental horror shorts. The first, EPISODE #22 (mis_ing) won
an award at the 20th annual U.S. Super 8mm Film Festival. While the second installment, EPISODE #21 (the hidden)
was commissioned for an installation at the 2009 MATA Festival.
Currently, Daniel has yet another narrative short. A hyperreal comedy about a Mexican food delivery worker
in New York City, titled LALO. The film will be making its world premiere in July 2009 at HBO's 10th Annual
New York International Latino Film Festival.