Coming Of Age with Benjamin Howard

Benjamin Howard

In this profile series, Revry is highlighting authentic contributors to the queer media and entertainment community. We ask questions to find out who they are and where they are going in the future. The questions remain the same but the answers tell their unique story. It’s time to explore and celebrate true representation beyond the limits of Hollywood.

Benjamin Howard (He/Him) is an Emmy-recognized writer, director and producer. As a gay storyteller, Benjamin’s narrative projects often explore themes related to sexual identity, particularly through a 'coming-of-age' lens. His undergraduate thesis project DEVIANT played at Outfest and HollyShorts in 2018 and was recognized with a Student Emmy Award in 2019.  His most recent short film RENDEZVOUS is a slice-of-life depiction of honesty and intimacy, and is currently on the festival circuit.  Benjamin will receive his M.F.A. in Film Production / Directing at UCLA, and is currently editing his debut feature RILEY.

What are you best known for?

My league-record four touchdown catches against Madison High School in 2012.  These days, people know me as the guy from high school trying to get into movies.

What is the first thing you worked on professionally?

Also when I was in high school: a short film that I wrote, produced, directed, and acted in, to ask my date to prom.  People thought it was "actually, kind of good," so I rolled with it, and decided to pursue filmmaking.  I haven't looked back.

What are you working on that no one knows about yet?

I shot my debut feature in April, a coming-of-age story about (you guessed it) a high school football player coming to terms with his sexuality.  You can read more about RILEY here.  It's been very full-circle putting the project together, which I wrote, produced, directed and am currently editing.  We plan to submit to festivals in 2023.