Sarah Rotella has directed content for the Canadian Broadcast Corporation, Sony Pictures, and Adobe. Her work has streamed on Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu, and has been distributed by Gravitas Ventures, Comedy Dynamics, Incendo Media, and the CFMDC. She was named one of Adweek’s Young Influentials in 2022 and is releasing her third feature film December 2024 on VOD: LAST EXMAS, which received Script Development support from Bell Media’s Harold Greenberg Fund. She is in production on her first feature length documentary, in development on LIGHT YEARS, which was selected for the Canadian Film Centre’s 2018 Telefilm Feature Comedy Exchange program and also received Script Development support from Bell Media’s Harold Greenberg Fund and in development on her first scripted series with North Maple Productions. Her debut feature length film ALMOST ADULTS, was an iTunes pre-order best seller, streamed for 2 years on Netflix in 13 countries, on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S and Canada, and is now streaming on Hulu. Her second feature film, NOBODY FAMOUS, was a recipient of Telefilm Canada’s Film Fund, premiered at the Whistler Film Festival before it’s 2018 release on 20 VOD platforms, and streamed on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S and Canada. Her directing efforts have garnered 183+ million YouTube views on her Shorty Award nominated channel UnsolicitedProject and her films have been screened in dozens of international film festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival Student Showcase, Austin Film Festival, Outfest, and in a Master Class with director Tim Burton. Sarah has directed a short film for Sony Pictures as part of the YouTube Space Director’s Lab, an interactive digital series with the Adobe Creative Residency Fund, and 2 digital series for CBC Comedy. She is a Humber College, OCAD University, Canadian Film Centre, and Tribeca Film Institute Network Alumni.

Sarah Rotella

Sarah Rotella has directed content for the Canadian Broadcast Corporation, Sony Pictures, and Adobe. Her work has streamed on Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu, and has been distributed by Gravitas Ventures, Comedy Dynamics, Incendo Media, and the CFMDC. She was named one of Adweek’s Young Influentials in 2022 and is releasing her third feature film December 2024 on VOD: LAST EXMAS, which received Script Development support from Bell Media’s Harold Greenberg Fund. She is in production on her first feature length documentary, in development on LIGHT YEARS, which was selected for the Canadian Film Centre’s 2018 Telefilm Feature Comedy Exchange program and also received Script Development support from Bell Media’s Harold Greenberg Fund and in development on her first scripted series with North Maple Productions. Her debut feature length film ALMOST ADULTS, was an iTunes pre-order best seller, streamed for 2 years on Netflix in 13 countries, on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S and Canada, and is now streaming on Hulu. Her second feature film, NOBODY FAMOUS, was a recipient of Telefilm Canada’s Film Fund, premiered at the Whistler Film Festival before it’s 2018 release on 20 VOD platforms, and streamed on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S and Canada. Her directing efforts have garnered 183+ million YouTube views on her Shorty Award nominated channel UnsolicitedProject and her films have been screened in dozens of international film festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival Student Showcase, Austin Film Festival, Outfest, and in a Master Class with director Tim Burton. Sarah has directed a short film for Sony Pictures as part of the YouTube Space Director’s Lab, an interactive digital series with the Adobe Creative Residency Fund, and 2 digital series for CBC Comedy. She is a Humber College, OCAD University, Canadian Film Centre, and Tribeca Film Institute Network Alumni.

Available to hire

Sarah Rotella has directed content for the Canadian Broadcast Corporation, Sony Pictures, and Adobe. Her work has streamed on Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu, and has been distributed by Gravitas Ventures, Comedy Dynamics, Incendo Media, and the CFMDC.

She was named one of Adweek’s Young Influentials in 2022 and is releasing her third feature film December 2024 on VOD: LAST EXMAS, which received Script Development support from Bell Media’s Harold Greenberg Fund. She is in production on her first feature length documentary, in development on LIGHT YEARS, which was selected for the Canadian Film Centre’s 2018 Telefilm Feature Comedy Exchange program and also received Script Development support from Bell Media’s Harold Greenberg Fund and in development on her first scripted series with North Maple Productions.

Her debut feature length film ALMOST ADULTS, was an iTunes pre-order best seller, streamed for 2 years on Netflix in 13 countries, on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S and Canada, and is now streaming on Hulu. Her second feature film, NOBODY FAMOUS, was a recipient of Telefilm Canada’s Film Fund, premiered at the Whistler Film Festival before it’s 2018 release on 20 VOD platforms, and streamed on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S and Canada. Her directing efforts have garnered 183+ million YouTube views on her Shorty Award nominated channel UnsolicitedProject and her films have been screened in dozens of international film festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival Student Showcase, Austin Film Festival, Outfest, and in a Master Class with director Tim Burton. Sarah has directed a short film for Sony Pictures as part of the YouTube Space Director’s Lab, an interactive digital series with the Adobe Creative Residency Fund, and 2 digital series for CBC Comedy. She is a Humber College, OCAD University, Canadian Film Centre, and Tribeca Film Institute Network Alumni.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Director / Producer at UNSOLICITED PICTURES
January 1, 2017 - Present
Directed, produced, and developed three feature-length films: Almost Adults (2017), Nobody Famous (2018), and Last ExMas (2024). Collaborated with writers to integrate Telefilm notes, budget-driven revisions, and explored book adaptations; created pitch documents, treatments, outlines, pitch decks, and series bibles. Worked with TIFF Talent Accelerator and TIFF Writer’s Studio Alumni; oversaw development through green light to distribution with Gravitas Ventures, Incendo Media, and Comedy Dynamics. Edited a director’s cut of Last ExMas using Adobe Premiere Pro.
Content Creator at UNSOLICITEDPROJECT
January 1, 2015 - Present
Produced, directed, and edited over 600 videos for the Shorty Award-nominated YouTube channel UnsolicitedProject, generating 185+ million views and 490K subscribers. Partnered with brands including Sony, Adobe, Wattpad, CBC, Shaftesbury, BetterHelp, Storyblocks, Curology, and more for marketing videos. Managed and created content across social platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Snapchat, YouNow).
Writer / Producer at NORTH MAPLE PRODUCTIONS
January 1, 2023 - Present
Developed original scripted series in Los Angeles; wrote pitch deck, researched comparable projects, worked with writer on pilot script, and developed a full-season arc; developed Last ExMas feature-length script.
Writer / Producer at EPIC STORY MEDIA
January 1, 2021 - Present
Developed original scripted series in Toronto; wrote pitch deck, researched comparable projects, worked with writer on pilot script, and developed a full-season arc.
Freelance Social Media Manager at ELEVATION PICTURES
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Managed Elevation Pictures’ Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Wrote copy, created social videos, and captured red carpet and behind-the-scenes content for 6-8 film premieres per year.
Producer at CANADIAN BROADCAST CORPORATION
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017
Developed the CBC digital series Cara Cooks with emerging comedian Cara Connors; produced two digital series for CBC Comedy; collaborated with writers on development, script revisions, hired crew, budgets, and coordinated with CBC’s business affairs.
Community Manager at ISOBAR CANADA
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2015
Oversaw over 50 film titles released in Canada; wrote copy for marketing decks and all branded social media; produced digital marketing materials for TIFF; managed fan conventions activations and events; produced weekly social media reports.
Development Intern at SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
Provided script coverage for 4-5 scripts weekly.
Development Intern at MADISON WELLS MEDIA
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
Provided script coverage for 1-2 scripts weekly; pitched scripts in weekly development meetings; created cast and director lists.

Education

Adobe Creative Jam at Adobe Creative Jam
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2019
Director’s Lab at Sony Pictures YouTube Space
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2018
Telefilm Comedy Exchange at Canadian Film Centre
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2018
Tribeca Film Institute Network at Tribeca Film Institute
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2016
BFA Integrated Media, On-Screen Media Minor at OCAD University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2011
Diploma Film and Television Production at Humber ITAL
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2008

Qualifications

Harold Greenberg Fund
January 1, 2020 - January 27, 2026
Telefilm Canada’s Film Fund
January 1, 2018 - January 27, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services