Directing

McKinley Benson

McKinley Benson is an American filmmaker working across live-action and animation whose work pairs intimate character-driven stories with a strong visual sensibility, moving fluidly between mediums and genres. His work has received international recognition, including a place on the Sony Future Filmmakers Awards 2026 shortlist, alongside such honors as the Best Story Award at Animayo and the Direc…

Known For

Two Ships

Two Ships · 2025

MovieAnimationDrama

While working opposite schedules, a couple attempts to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters.

Martha

MovieThrillerDrama

Martha, a single mother and working nurse, struggles with her son leaving for college. When a mysterious woman invites Martha to a dinner party of other "empty nest" mothers, she soon realizes the gathering is not as innocent as it seems.

Homestead

Homestead · 2020

MovieThrillerWestern

Set in 1870s Oregon, an obsessive carpenter relocates his pregnant wife and young daughter to an isolated land with the promise of a better life, but instead is plagued by grief and paranoia.

Kalos

After the recent death of his grandmother, a young boy brings his grandfather to his usual hideout spot. In an attempt to cheer him up, the boy presents his grandfather with an opportunity to revisit a sweet memory of his late wife. The grandfather obliges the boy and travels back to his childhood at the very same hideout spot.

A Snail Can Take Down a Starfish

A Snail Can Take Down a Starfish · 2019

A Snail Can Take Down a Starfish

On the last day of summer break in 1999, an outcast boy attempts to help a girl overcome her fear of swimming.

Night and Day

MovieDramaThriller

On the streets of Jakarta, an impulsive, small-time con swindles a big-time aristocrat out of house and home at risk of abandonment by his only brother.

Filmography

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Two Ships

Two Ships · 2025

MovieAnimationDrama

While working opposite schedules, a couple attempts to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters.

Director

Martha

MovieThrillerDrama

Martha, a single mother and working nurse, struggles with her son leaving for college. When a mysterious woman invites Martha to a dinner party of other "empty nest" mothers, she soon realizes the gathering is not as innocent as it seems.

Writer

Homestead

Homestead · 2020

MovieThrillerWestern

Set in 1870s Oregon, an obsessive carpenter relocates his pregnant wife and young daughter to an isolated land with the promise of a better life, but instead is plagued by grief and paranoia.

Director

Kalos

After the recent death of his grandmother, a young boy brings his grandfather to his usual hideout spot. In an attempt to cheer him up, the boy presents his grandfather with an opportunity to revisit a sweet memory of his late wife. The grandfather obliges the boy and travels back to his childhood at the very same hideout spot.

Writer

A Snail Can Take Down a Starfish

A Snail Can Take Down a Starfish · 2019

A Snail Can Take Down a Starfish

On the last day of summer break in 1999, an outcast boy attempts to help a girl overcome her fear of swimming.

Director of Photography

Night and Day

MovieDramaThriller

On the streets of Jakarta, an impulsive, small-time con swindles a big-time aristocrat out of house and home at risk of abandonment by his only brother.

Writer