Austin Stark

Austin Stark is a New York-based writer, director, and producer best known for films that explore social issues.

Austin’s latest film, COUP!, which he wrote/directed with Joseph Schuman, is a darkly comedic thriller set during the 1918 Spanish Flu, starring Peter Sarsgaard, Billy Magnussen and Sarah Gadon. The film premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, as the Closing Film of the Giornate degli Autori section, and will be released in 2024.

Prior to that, Austin wrote/directed THE GOD COMMITTEE, a medical thriller set in the world of organ transplantation, starring Kelsey Grammer, Julia Stiles and Colman Domingo. The film debuted at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and was released by Vertical Entertainment, Netflix and Universal International.

Austin’s first feature as a writer/director was THE RUNNER, a political drama starring Nicolas Cage, Sarah Paulson, and Peter Fonda. It was released theatrically by Alchemy in 2015.

In addition to his career as a writer/director, Austin has produced numerous films, including: Sony Pictures Classics’ INFINITELY POLAR BEAR, which earned Mark Ruffalo a Golden Globe nomination for “Best Actor”; Tony Kaye’s DETACHMENT, starring Adrien Brody; 2012 Sundance Opening Night Film HELLO, I MUST BE GOING; 2010 Sundance Audience Award-winner HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE; and Werner Herzog’s MY SON, MY SON, WHAT HAVE YE DONE, starring Michael Shannon & Willem Dafoe. 

Austin began his career working with Academy Award-winning producer Martin Richards (CHICAGO). He is a graduate of Georgetown University.