FRANK’S BIO
Frank Stiefel
DIRECTOR + WRITER | Frank Stiefel, the producer, director, writer and cinematographer of HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405 was born and raised in New York City. He has produced a number of short subject documentaries that appeared at Telluride, Sundance, and Berlin.
In 2009 he directed INGELORE, a 40 minute documentary portrait of his mother. The film was honored at many international festivals winning a number of Audience and Best Short Subject Documentary awards. INGELORE was also honored by THE INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION, THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART and BERLINALE. INGELORE appeared on HBO from 2010-2012.
In 2012 Stiefel began filming the artist Mindy Alper for a documentary “HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405”
The film went on to win the Jury Prize, Audience Prize and Courage award at the Austin Film Festival. It became the only film to win both the Jury prize and Audience prize at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, It was a nominee for Best Short Subject Film at the International Documentary Association and won the Oscar for Best Short Subject Documentary Film at the 90th Academy Awards