Stefan Forbes is an Emmy-nominated American writer and film director. His first feature film was the 2008 documentary film Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story, about the life of political operative Lee Atwater. Boogie Man played at both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, played in 40 U.S. cities theatrically, debuted at #8 in the nationwide box-office charts in per-screen average, and was broadcast on PBS's Frontline, the BBC's Storyville, the CBC, and other networks worldwide. It was a Critic's Pick in The Washington Post, New York Times, and London Sunday Times, and received an editorial in The New York Times on the film's relevance to the 2008 Presidential election.

The Washington Post calls it "One of the greatest political films ever" and says "There is more than one moment in this film that will likely pop your jaw open...Wow." Rolling Stone called it "A must-see". The New York Daily News wrote "Honestly, every adult in America should see it before casting another vote." The New York Times says "This riveting film is generous in spirit and nimble in technique." Roger Ebert calls Boogie Man "a remarkable portrait...heartbreaking."

Forbes also directed the award-winning one-hour documentary One More Dead Fish, about environmentally friendly handline fishermen in Canada who seized a federal building and barricaded themselves inside for 26 days. Historian Howard Zinn called it "inspiring" and filmmaker Ken Loach says it is "an excellent film". CBC commentator Avi Lewis says it "unfolds like a thriller...a compelling film, filled with dignity, heartbreak, and hope."

With his socially conscious production company InterPositive Media, Mr. Forbes has written and directed Emmy-nominated national PSA campaigns featuring Gwyneth Paltrow, Charlize Theron, Mike Myers, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Broderick, and others, as well as producing and directing many music videos. Formerly a cinematographer, he shot five feature films and created a look for several hit TV shows.

Boogie Man won the 2009 National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Documentary, the George S. Polk Award for Excellence in Journalism, the Chris Award at the Columbus International Film Festival, and was nominated for the 2008 WGA Award for Best Theatrical Documentary.

Forbes is a 2006 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow and serves on their Artists Advisory Board. He is a winner of the International Documentary Association's Jacqueline Donnet Emerging Filmmaker Award. He has spoken on film at many American universities and industry panels at the Writer's Guild of America, the Full Frame Film Festival, Digital Hollywood, and others. He has served on juries at Silverdocs, the Writers Guild of America Awards, and on the Nominating Committee for the Independent Spirit Awards.

Stefan Forbes at an event for Hold Your Fire (2021)

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Stefan Forbes and Antoinette Collarini-Schlossberg at an event for Hold Your Fire (2021)

Stefan Forbes, Tia Wou, Jonathan Sanford, and Amir Soltani at an event for Hold Your Fire (2021)

Stefan Forbes and Amir Soltani at an event for Hold Your Fire (2021)

Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flanery, and Norman Reedus in The Boondock Saints (1999)

Kevin Costner and Robin Wright in Message in a Bottle (1999)

Stefan Forbes

Stefan Forbes

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