Kestrin Pantera

Kestrin Pantera is a writer/director the New York Times called “a force.” Her latest film, PRETTY PROBLEMS, won the SXSW Audience Award, Sonoma Intl Grand Jury Prize, and Maui Film Festival Audience Award. She was awarded Bay Area Filmmaker of the Year for 2022. ​ PRETTY PROBLEMS sold to IFC Films and is in theaters now. ​ Her last feature, MOTHER’S LITTLE HELPERS, World Premiered at SXSW 2019 and released in 2020 with Gravitas Ventures. Lauded as a “wonderful, Big Chill-esque dramedy,” with “big screen chemistry from the ground up,” awards include Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Ensemble Performance and Best Actress. ​ Her first feature, LET’S RUIN IT WITH BABIES, was released theatrically and hailed by the LA Times as, “honest, convincing, and just plain adorable” and Marie Claire’s “must see.” ​ Before directing, Kestrin was a classically trained cellist-turned-rocker who toured in rock bands. She’s appeared onstage alongside Weezer, Beck and Brandi Carlile and her original music has been featured in TV shows and award winning films. ​ Prior to LA, she lived in Taipei, Taiwan, where she was fluent in Mandarin and performed voice-overs for 100+ companies. ​ ​ Her commercial directing clients include WIRED, Technicolor, Johnson & Johnson, BeTheMatch, and created additional content for Google, Coca Cola, GE, Starwood, Intel, Best Buy, HBO, Starbucks and Stoli.