Kestrin Pantera is a writer and director the New York Times called “a force.” Her latest feature film, PRETTY PROBLEMS, won the SXSW Audience Award, the Maui Film Festival Audience Award, and Sonoma International Film Festival Grand Jury Prize, where she was also named Bay Area Filmmaker of the Year.
The film was acquired by IFC Films, released in theaters nationwide, and reached #1 on Hulu upon its streaming debut.
DEADLINE called PRETTY PROBLEMS, “Laugh out loud comedy,” “A party you want to go to, to live vicariously, laugh a lot, and then be glad to go home to your own life” and, “A tremendous amount of fun.” See the trailer, below.
Her prior feature, MOTHER’S LITTLE HELPERS, starring SNL’s Melanie Hutsell, World Premiered at SXSW 2019 and released in 2020 with Gravitas Ventures. Described as a “wonderful, Big Chill-esque dramedy” with “big-screen chemistry from the ground up,” the film earned accolades including Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Ensemble Performance, and Best Actress.
Her first feature, LET’S RUIN IT WITH BABIES, was released theatrically and hailed by the LA Times as “honest, convincing, and just plain adorable” and Marie Claire’s “must see.”
She is currently in post-production on a feature starring “Weird Al” Yankovic (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), Tia Carrere (Wayne’s World), Jackie Tohn (Netflix’s Nobody Wants This), David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer) and the Sklar Brothers (What We Do in the Shadows).
The Hollywood Reporter recently announced the new project she is directing, with Tiffany Haddish and Isla Fisher.
She serves in leadership roles on DGA committees focused on advancing women directors. She regularly teaches fundraising and financing strategy to filmmakers through the DGA and top film-school fellowships, drawing on her experience as an angel investor with the Pasadena Angels, her work through Sorceress Ventures, and her hands-on Executive Producer credits.
Before filmmaking, Kestrin was a classically trained cellist-turned-rocker who toured with bands and performed alongside Weezer, Beck, and Brandi Carlile.
For recreation, she plays electric cello and sings with a "Middle Aged Dad Jam Band" comprised of David Wain, Ken Marino and a revolving group of musicians, including “Weird Al” Yankovic, Kathryn Hahn and Paul Rudd- though she is technically not a middle-aged-dad.
Visit the MADJB Youtube Channel for videos like this:
