Sophia Banks: Award-Winning Female Director

Sophia Banks is an award-winning female director and a masterful storyteller who bridges the worlds of cinema and commercials. Her exceptional talent has been celebrated at popular film festivals while also amassing 100s awards for her contributions in both sectors.

Hailing from Australia, Sophia began her creative journey in fashion design, subsequently transitioning into the vibrant world of creative directing. With a desire to further her cinematic aspirations, she attended classes at renowned institutions such as USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, UCLA, and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, sharpening her directorial toolkit.

Sophia’s directorial debut, “Making it on Time,” in 2017, marked her entry into cinema. This short film garnered 15 awards, including “Best Microfilm” from the Festigious International Film Fest, serving as an impressive opening for her filmography career.

Building on the momentum, 2018 saw the release of “Unregistered.” This innovative project caught the limelight at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. Later, this graced the screens of 20 other international film festivals, amplifying Sophia’s reputation as an Australian film director.

Sophia’s filmmaking journey continued to ascend with “Proxy” in 2020, a gripping short horror film. This secured her a nomination for Best Horror Short Film at the Winter Film Awards in New York. The short film sold as a Television Series to Anonymous Content and was later selected for the "Short of the Week" platform which sees hundreds of thousands of viewers on a weekly basis.

In 2021, Sophia returned to Australia as a feature film director for “Black Site.” The “John Wick” makers partnered to create this film, with actors like Jason Clarke, Michelle Monaghan, and Jai Courtney starring. This film highlighted Sophia’s directorial expertise and solidified her international acclaim, placing her firmly around some of the top women film directors.

Alongside her movies, Sophia has also directed several fashion films. She’s worked with top names in the fashion industry, creating films for brands and personalities like Pam & Gela, Ralph and Russo, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Annie Bing, and Tome.

Sophia doesn’t only focus on films, either. She is also known as an outstanding commercial director. Her intuitive understanding of branding and audience dynamics has culminated in successful partnerships with industry giants like Pepsi, Chobani, BMW, Target, and Ford. Each campaign under her direction has a cinematic flair, making them memorable and effective.

With her global expertise spanning from Europe to South America and holding passports from the US, Australia, and the UK, Sophia is a testament to all women directors’ expansive influence. As she continues to redefine and push boundaries, Sophia remains a beacon of inspiration in the cinematic industry.

DIRECTING AWARDS:

Proxy, Short Narrative Film

-Dark Arts Film Festival Amsterdam: Best Sci-fi Film, 2021

-Ignite Film Festival: Best Cinematography, 2021

-LA Rocks International Film Festival: Winner of Horror and Sci-fi Film, 2021

-WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival: Gold Remi Winner, 2021

-The Romford Film Festival: Best Editing, 2021

-Paris International Film Festival: Best Hair and Makeup Design, 2020

-Idyllwild Int. Festival of Cinema: Indie Spirit Award Actor Featurette Film, 2021

-LA International Film Festival: Winner of Sci-Fi Short, 2020

-Winter Film Awards Int. Film Festival NYC: Nominated for Best Horror Short Film, 2021

-HollyShorts Film Festival: Official Selection, 2020

-Buffalo International Film Festival: Official Selection, 2020

-Lone Star Film Festival: Official Selection, 2020

-LA Lift-Off Film Festival: Official Selection, 2020

-Louisville's International Festival of Film: Official Selection, 2020

-Visionary Filmmakers Showcase: Official Selection, 2020

-Beeston Film Festival: Official Selection, 2021

 

Unregistered, Short Narrative Film

-Detroit Shetown Film Festival: Official Winner, Best CGI/VFX, 2019

-Detroit Shetown Film Festival: Best in Fest, 2019

-Atlanta Horror Film Festival: Best SciFi Short Film, 2019

-Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival: Finalist for Outstanding Short, 2019

-Miami Int. SciFi Fiction Film Festival: Best Actor Short Runner Up, 2020

-Miami Int. SciFi Fiction Film Festival: Best Actress Short Runner Up, 2020

-TriBeCa Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-Beeston Film Festival: Official Selection for SciFi, 2020

-London Sci-Fi Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-New York No Limits Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-LA No Limits: Official Selection, 2019

-Oscar-Qualifying Hollyshorts: Official Selection, 2019

-Exit 6 Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-LA Lift-Off Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-Bolton International Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-FilmQuest: Official Selection, 2019

-Norwich Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-Brooklyn Women's Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-HollyShorts Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-Catfish Shorts! Short Film Festival: Official Selection, 2020

-The Romford Film Festival: Official Selection, 2020

-Beyond Earth Film Festival: Official Selection, 2020

-LA Shorts Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-Edinburgh Short Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-Catalina Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-Louisville's International Festival of Film: Official Selection, 2019

-Other Worlds Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-SciFi Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

-British Urban Film Festival: Official Selection, 2020

-Razor Reel Flanders Film Festival: Official Selection, 2019

 

Girls Skate for Christian Siriano, Short Narrative Film:

-Oscar-Qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival: Winner of Best Commercial, 2017

-United International Film Festival: Winner of Best Commercial, 2017

-Miami Fashion Film Festival: Winner of Best Fashion Short, 2017

-Festigious International Film Festival: Winner of Best Micro Film, 2017

-Newport Beach Film Festival: Best Short Film Nomination, 2018

-Mammoth Film Festival: Best Short Film Nomination, 2018

-London Fashion Film Festival: Best Short Narrative Nomination, 2017

-United International Film Festival: Best Director Nomination, 2017

-Berlin Fashion Film Festival: Best US & Canadian Fashion Film & Best Director Nomination, 2017

-TriBeCa Film Festival, Moët & Chandon: Top 10 Finalist Selection, 2017

-Milano Fashion Film Festival: Best Fashion Film Nomination, 2017

-Fashionclash Fashion Film Festival: Best Fashion Film Nomination, 2017

-Festigious International Film Festival: Best Experimental Short Nomination, 2017

-TMC London Film Festival: Best Director and Best Online Video Nomination, 2017

-The Black Sea Film Festival: Best Fashion Film Nomination, 2017

-London Fashion Film Festival: Best Fashion Film Nomination, 2017

-Sunlight International Film Festival: Best Trailer Nomination, 2017

-California Women’s Film Festival: Best Short Film Nomination, 2017

-Los Angeles Film Awards: Inspiring Woman in a Film Nomination, 2017

-Miami Fashion Film Festival: Best Fashion Film Nomination, 2017

 

Cheeky for Target, Commercial:

-Outlaw Film Festival: Winner of Best Commercial, 2017

-Los Angeles Film Awards: Winner of Best Commercial, 2017

-TMC London Film Festival: Winner of Best Online Video, 2017

-La Femme International Film Festival: Winner of Best Commercial, 2017

-Amarcord Chicago Arthouse Television Awards: Best Trailer/Teaser/Commercial 2017

-Texas International Film Festival: Best Commercial Nomination, 2018

-Beliff: Best Commercial Nomination, 2017

-Outlaw Film Festival: Best Television Commercial Nomination, 2017

-Palermo International Film Festival: Best Commercial Nomination, 2017

-Sunlight International Film Festival: Best Trailer Nomination, 2017

-Be Epic! London International Film Fest: Official Selection, 2017

 

Cinderella, Music Video:

-Sydney Indie Film Festival: Best Short Film, 2017

-Switzerland International Film Festival: Winner of Best Music Video, 2017

-TMC London Film Festival: Best Music Video, 2017

-TMC London Film Festival: Best Short Film, 2017

-GSF Awards - Global Short Film Awards: Semi-Finalist, 2018

-Connect Film Festival: Semi-Finalist, 2017

-San Pedro International Film Festival: Best Music Video Nomination, 2017

-Laughlin International Film Festival: Best Music Video Nomination, 2017

-Reno Tahoe International Film Festival: Best Music Video Nomination, 2017

-TMC London Film Festival: Best Director Nominations, 2017

-Fashion Film Festival Brussels: Best Film Nomination, 2017

-Fashion Film Festival Chicago: Best Narrative Fashion Short, 2017

-Fashion Film Festival Chicago: Nominated for Best Experimental Fashion Short, 2017

-Studio City International Film Festival: Nominated for Best Music Video, 2017

-Miami Fashion Film Festival: Best Fashion Film Nomination, 2017

-Berlin Fashion Film Festival: Nominated for Best Director (Shortlisted), 2017

-Berlin Fashion Film Festival: Nominated & Shortlisted for Best US & Canadian Fashion Film, 2017

-International Fashion Film Festival Brussels: Best Music Video Nomination, 2017

-Fashion On Film Festival: Official Selection, 2018

-Freedom Shorts XIX (Philly’s Largest Short Film Fest!): Official Selection, 2017

-12th Mumbai Shorts Int. Film Festival-23: Official Selection, 2017

-Sarajevo Fashion Film Festival: Official Selection, 2017

 

Making it on time, Fashion Commercial:

-United International Film Festival: Best Commercial & Best Director, 2017

-Film Miami Fest / Best Shorts Worldwide: Best Fashion Short, 2017

-Festigious International Film Fest: Best Microfilm, 2017

-HollyShorts Film Festival: Best Commercial, 2017

-Miami Fashion Film Festival: Best Fashion Film, 2017

-The Black Sea Film Festival: Official Selection, 2017

-Sarajevo Fashion Film Festival: Official Selection, 2017

-Chicago Amarcord Arthouse Television Awards: Official Selection, 2017

-London Fashion Film Festival: Official Selection, 2017

-Mammoth Film Festival™: Official Selection, 2018

-Sunlight International Film Festival: Official Selection, 2017

-Los Angeles Film Awards: Official Selection, 2017

-California Women's Film Festival (Winter): Official Selection, 2017

-TMC London Film Festival: Official Selection, 2017

-Newport Beach Film Festival: Official Selection, 2018

 

Anine Bing, Fashion Documentary:

-Beverly Hills Film Festival: Best Documentary Short Nomination, 2018

-Los Angeles Film Awards: Best Documentary Short Nomination, 2017

-New York Film Awards: Best Documentary Short Nomination, 2017

-Los Angeles Fashion Film Festival: Official Selection, 2018

-Miami Fashion Film Festival: Official Selection, 2018

 

Savage Rose, Perfume Ad:

-Los Angeles Film Awards: Winner of Best Microfilm, 2017

-Los Angeles Film Awards: Best Experimental Film, Best Director and Best Trailer Nomination, 2017

-Richmond International Film Festival: Official Selection, 2018

 

Tome super 8, Experimental Short:

-New York Film Awards: Best Experimental, 2017

-Los Angeles Film Awards: Winner of Best Trailer, 2017

-Los Angeles Film Awards: Best Microfilm, Best Director and Best Editing Nominations, 2017

-Oscar-Qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival: Official Selection, 2018

-Miami Fashion Film Festival: Official Selection, 2018

 

Rsea safety, Nation Television Commercial:

-London Fashion Film Festival: Official Finalist Selection for Best Editing, 2018