Hi, I'm Mike Bender. I'm a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning screenwriter, and creative producer with 20+ years in entertainment, publishing, and branded storytelling. I created the Awkward Family Photos brand, which became a worldwide phenomenon and expanded into six books, calendars, greeting cards, a game, a touring museum exhibit, and a Sundance docuseries. The project earned a Webby Award and is officially archived by the Library of Congress as a cultural artifact. My work spans film, television, children's literature, and digital media. I've written screenplays for Sony Pictures, Disney, Warner Brothers, and Mirimax. I was a writer on Sony's Not Another Teen Movie and Bob The Musical at Disney, was a head writer for the MTV Movie Awards, and publish children's books with Random House. I contribute to Esquire, Men’s Health, and Oprah Daily, and I love helping brands tell funny, relatable stories that stick with audiences.

Mike Bender

Hi, I'm Mike Bender. I'm a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning screenwriter, and creative producer with 20+ years in entertainment, publishing, and branded storytelling. I created the Awkward Family Photos brand, which became a worldwide phenomenon and expanded into six books, calendars, greeting cards, a game, a touring museum exhibit, and a Sundance docuseries. The project earned a Webby Award and is officially archived by the Library of Congress as a cultural artifact. My work spans film, television, children's literature, and digital media. I've written screenplays for Sony Pictures, Disney, Warner Brothers, and Mirimax. I was a writer on Sony's Not Another Teen Movie and Bob The Musical at Disney, was a head writer for the MTV Movie Awards, and publish children's books with Random House. I contribute to Esquire, Men’s Health, and Oprah Daily, and I love helping brands tell funny, relatable stories that stick with audiences.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Mike Bender. I’m a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning screenwriter, and creative producer with 20+ years in entertainment, publishing, and branded storytelling. I created the Awkward Family Photos brand, which became a worldwide phenomenon and expanded into six books, calendars, greeting cards, a game, a touring museum exhibit, and a Sundance docuseries. The project earned a Webby Award and is officially archived by the Library of Congress as a cultural artifact.

My work spans film, television, children’s literature, and digital media. I’ve written screenplays for Sony Pictures, Disney, Warner Brothers, and Mirimax. I was a writer on Sony’s Not Another Teen Movie and Bob The Musical at Disney, was a head writer for the MTV Movie Awards, and publish children’s books with Random House. I contribute to Esquire, Men’s Health, and Oprah Daily, and I love helping brands tell funny, relatable stories that stick with audiences.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert

Work Experience

Co-Founder / Creative Director at Awkward Family Photos
May 1, 2009 - Present
Co-created the viral phenomenon AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com, reaching millions worldwide within its first week. Expanded into a multi-platform franchise: six books, calendars, greeting cards, a game, a touring museum exhibition, and a docuseries premiering at Sundance Film Festival. Earned a Webby Award; officially archived by the Library of Congress as a cultural artifact. Featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Nightline, CBS Sunday Morning, and more.
Author / Screenwriter / Producer at Left On Red, Inc.
May 1, 1999 - Present
Screenwriter for Sony’s Not Another Teen Movie, Bob the Musical, and the upcoming Scary Movie reboot. Wrote and produced comedy shorts for the MTV Movie Awards (2000–2006). Children’s book author at Random House Children’s Books, including The Book About Nothing, The End Is Just the Beginning, The Most Serious Fart, and Bored Panda (Jenna’s Reading List / Amazon Best of the Year). Contributor to Esquire, Men’s Health, and Oprah Daily.

Education

B.A., English & Film at Middlebury College
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1997
High School Diploma at Pingry School
January 11, 2030 - March 3, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education