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Ari Sandel

Ari Sandel

Director, writer, and producer, Ari Sandel, won an Academy Award in 2007 for Best Live Action Short Film for his film.

Director, writer, and producer, Ari Sandel, won an Academy Award in 2007 .

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Director, writer, and producer, Ari Sandel, won an Academy Award in 2007 for Best Live Action Short Film for his film, WestBank Story, a musical comedy about Israelis and Palestinians that takes place between two falafel stands in the West Bank. It takes a humorous yet hopeful look at the conflict and as a result has received an overwhelming response from both Arab and Jewish audiences as well as international audiences who have all come to embrace the film. Sandel premiered West Bank Story at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005 and has since screened it at over 200 film festivals worldwide — winning 30 awards. Sandel made his feature documentary directorial debut with Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights – Hollywood to the Heartland which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically in 2008. He is currently developing a movie with Fox Studios and writing an independent film.

Sandel’s career in the entertainment industry includes television as well as film. Previously, he created, directed, and hosted FX’s comedic segment, “The Traveler,” on The X Show. Sandel hosted the segment as he traveled the globe, offering a tongue-in-cheek view of the world’s unknown hot spots for the young and hip. In addition to filmmaking, Sandel has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East, including: Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Turkey, and Dubai and he is involved with various political organizations for peace in the region.

Sandel was raised in Calabasas, Calif. and studied Media Arts at the University of Arizona in Tucson where he also received a special certificate in Middle Eastern Studies. He went on to earn his Directing M.F.A. from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema-Television.

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Filmmaker Ari Sandel on voting for Oscars®
How to prepare an Oscar® acceptance speech

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