Stephen Leeds

Stephen Leeds has been honored by the New York Film Society's New Films New Directors series at the Museum of Modern Art. He has a B.A. in Literature and Writing from U.C.L.A. and an M.F.A. in film from Columbia University, where he graduated with honors.

Stephen has worked as a feature motion-picture screenwriter, television writer and director for various Hollywood studios and production companies. Past works include scripts for The Walt Disney Company, Warner Brothers, New Regency, Phoenix Pictures Alcon Entertainment and others. Stephen wrote & directed the feature film "The Magnificent Cooly-T" set for release later this year. Recent works include writing and creating a limited series about Ernest Hemingway for the producers of Nat Geo's "Genius" series.

Stephen founded UMBRELLA STREET MEDIA when he was tapped to create and produce the first ever national TV ad for a mobil app-- the Dictionary.com iPhone app campaign. After release of his commercials, the app garnered over 40 million downloads and was recognized by Apple as one of the most downloaded apps of all time.

Since then, Umbrella Street has created, produced and directed over 100 television and branded entertainment spots including a recent short doc series on legendary artists and a popular short for College Humor. Commercial clients include Overstock.com, 1800Flowers, Six Flags, Ask.com, About.com, Kreation Kafe, Shakeys Pizza, Turtle Wax and others. Currently, Umbrella Street is producing a feature documentary on the Homeless Crisis in America for release in the fall of 2021.

Stephen's short "Get That Number" won Best Picture at the Columbia University / Polo Ralph Lauren - New Line Cinema Festival of New Works. Spin Magazine called it "an urban opus" and esteemed director Milos Foreman said it was "truly a wonderful film." It won Best Picture at six international film festivals and was awarded Filmmaker Magazine's Audience Choice Award. Sundance Mentor and NYU Tisch School of Dramatic Writing founder Dan Kleinman placed "Get That Number" on his list of the 10 best shorts of all time.

Stephen lives in L.A. with his wife and daughter.