Sam Chou - Biography
Sam Chou, an accomplished series creator and director hailing from Ottawa, Canada, proudly graduated from Algonquin College's animation program and now resides in Toronto. With a rich background in traditional animation, Sam contributed to notable feature films such as Osmosis Jones (2001) and Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights (2002) before gaining acclaim at esteemed festivals like TIFF and Sundance.
In 2014, Sam co-created and directed the web series Crime: The Animated Series, a Sundance and TIFF premiere that earned the Best Series for Adults accolade at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. That same year, his collaboration with Mattel resulted in the production of the short film HE-Man: First Snowfall, showcased at the Fantasia International Film Festival in 2017.
Sam's recent endeavor, VRDLK: Family of Vurdulak, premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival, earning him the Best Animated Short at FilmQuest and the Audience Choice Award at Lusca Fantastic Film Festival.
In 2023, Sam was honored with the Kaj Pindal Award from the Toronto Animated Arts Festival International, recognizing his enduring impact on the world of animation. Currently serving as the Creative Director of Development at Look Mom! Productions, Sam leads the creative development slate for the production company. Eager to push the boundaries of storytelling, Sam is presently immersed in the development of an animated feature film—a horror project inspired by his animated thriller, IN THE HEAT, which premiered at the prestigious Annecy International Film Festival in 2023.
Embracing the belief that animation is a versatile cinematic medium, Sam advocates for its use across various genres, emphasizing its potential to tell compelling stories beyond the realm of children's entertainment. For Sam, animation is a powerful tool that can bring any narrative to life.
