Jon East

Jon East is a BAFTA and Royal Television Society award-winning DGA director with over 40 years experience in the international film & television industry in various roles, including film editing, story-boarding, writing & story-lining, producing, executive producing and commissioning for the BBC. A versatile director, he has worked successfully across a number of genres, including psychological thrillers, science-fiction, horror, medical, action/comedy, police/crime, fantasy, social realism, prestigious period/costume, historical action and family oriented entertainment. Based in the UK, he has directed international talent such as Paul Giamatti, Sandra Oh, William Hurt, Shirley MacLaine, Lily James, Dame Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Katherine Langford, Scott Foley, Molly Parker, Rowan Atkinson, Lennie James, Jodie Comer, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, James Fox, Parker Posey, Hugh Bonneville, David Harewood, Rupert Graves, Joely Richardson, Jack Bannon, Paloma Faith and James Purefoy.

After training at the West Surrey College of Art & Design, (now the University of Creative Arts), he started work in the industry as a storyboard and concept artist for TV, music promos and commercials. He went on to work as a film editor at the BBC and later as the Chief Storyline Writer and producer on the BBC's top rating soap 'EastEnders'. Between 2005 and 2009 he ran the BBC Children's Drama & Animation Department, during which time he also directed and/or executive produced several award-winning programs. For direction, he has been BAFTA nominated twice and won the award for single film 'That Summer Day' - which addressed the July 2005 London bombings. He was also nominated at the Venice Biennale for the Silver Lion, with his short film about Wilhelm Reich, 'It Can Be Done'.