Sean Cross is an American filmmaker, producer, actor, writer, and co-founder of the

Los Cabos International Film Festival Founded in 2012 by Scott Cross, Sean Cross, Eduardo Sanchez-Navarro Redo, Alfonso Pasquel, Juan Gallardo Thurlow, Eduardo Sanchez-Navarro Rivera Torres, and Pablo Sanchez-Navarro, the Los Cabos International Film Festival is an international film ...

Colorado Film Institute The Vail Film Festival is an independent film festival that has taken place annually in Vail, Colorado since 2004. The 19th annual Vail Film Festival will take place virtually from December 1 to 4, 2022. The festival was founded by Sean Cross and ...

, and

Vail Film Festival The Vail Film Festival is an independent film festival that has taken place annually in Vail, Colorado since 2004. The 19th annual Vail Film Festival will take place virtually from December 1 to 4, 2022. The festival was founded by Sean Cross and ...

Background

Sean studied film at

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then- Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, ...

. Sean is the brother of Scott Cross, co-founder of the

, and

Career

Sean is a filmmaker and entrepreneur who has spent over a decade working in film. In 2004, Sean co-founded the

and the

with his brother Scott Cross to serve as a platform to educate aspiring filmmakers, showcase unique artistic visions, and to ensure that powerful, creative independent films are seen by the movie-going public. In 2012 Sean co-founded the Los Cabos International Film Festival with his brother Scott Cross and leading businessmen from Mexico. In 2006, Sean spearheaded the Vail Film Festival's partnership with

Film Your Issue Film Your Issue is an international youth-focus short-film competition inviting youth to engage in contemporary issues via short films. From 2005 to 2011, thousands of youth across the world were impacted by the competition, whose media participant ...

, a national issue film contest, in partnership with the American Democracy Project, featuring 30 to 60-second films. Thirty-five semi-finalists were named by the competition, and five winners were selected through a combination of a jury including

Walter Cronkite Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. (November 4, 1916 – July 17, 2009) was an American broadcast journalist who served as anchorman for the ''CBS Evening News'' for 19 years (1962–1981). During the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the mo ...

Brian Williams Brian Douglas Williams (born May 5, 1959) is an American retired journalist and television news anchor. He was a reporter for '' NBC Nightly News'' starting in 1993, before his promotion to anchor and managing editor of the broadcast in 2004. ...

, then Senator

Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, Obama was the first Af ...

George Clooney George Timothy Clooney (born May 6, 1961) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by George Clooney, numerous accolades, including a British Academy Film Awards, British Academy Film A ...

Philip Seymour Hoffman Philip Seymour Hoffman (July 23, 1967 – February 2, 2014) was an American actor. Known for his distinctive supporting and character roles—typically lowlifes, eccentrics, underdogs, and misfits—he acted in many films and theatrical produ ...

and others. The winning films from th
Film Your Issue contest
were screened at the

. In 2007 the Vail Film Festival became the only film festival to partner with

Bono Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), known by his stage name Bono (), is an Irish singer-songwriter, activist, and philanthropist. He is the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band U2. Born and raised in Dublin, he attended ...

and

Bobby Shriver Robert Sargent Shriver III (born April 28, 1954) is an American activist, attorney, and journalist. He was a member of the Santa Monica City Council from 2004 to 2012, serving as mayor pro tem in 2006 and as mayor during part of 2010. A membe ...

Product Red Product Red, stylized as (PRODUCT) or (PRODUCT)RED, is a licensed brand by the company Red, stylized as (RED), that seeks to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds to help eliminate HIV/AIDS in eight African countries, namely E ...

, an initiative to raise money for the

Global Fund The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (or simply the Global Fund) is an international financing and partnership organization that aims to "attract, leverage and invest additional resources to end the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, t ...

to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa. Together,

and the Vail Film Festival launched the worldwide film competition, th
RED Vision Contest
whereby filmmakers submitted positive, inspiring films. The winning films were screened at the festival. The Vail Film Festival donated 25% of Avanti pass sales to the Global Fund. Sean helped grow the Vail Film Festival into a major international film festival, recognized in 2007 as "One of the top ten destination film festivals in the world". The Vail Film Festival has screened groundbreaking independent and studio films, including "

Slow West ''Slow West'' is a 2015 Revisionist Western film that was written and directed by John Maclean in his directorial debut. It stars Kodi Smit-McPhee as a young Scotsman searching for his lost love in the American West, accompanied by a bounty hun ...

", '

Cut Bank (film) ''Cut Bank'' (also known as ''Hell Town'') is a 2014 American thriller film directed by Matt Shakman and written by Roberto Patino. Starring Liam Hemsworth, Billy Bob Thornton, John Malkovich, Teresa Palmer, and Michael Stuhlbarg, the film was ...

", "

Enemy (2013 film) ''Enemy'' is a 2013 psychological drama film directed by Denis Villeneuve and produced by M. A. Faura and Niv Fichman. Written by Javier Gullón, it was loosely adapted from José Saramago's 2002 novel ''The Double''. The film stars Jake Gyllen ...

", "

Locke (film) ''Locke'' is a 2013 psychological drama film written and directed by Steven Knight. The film stars Tom Hardy in the title role, the only character seen on screen, as he carries on a number of speakerphone conversations with characters voiced b ...

", ''

Before Sunset ''Before Sunset'' is a 2004 American romantic drama film directed by Richard Linklater, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, from a story by Linklater and Kim Krizan. The sequel to ''Before Sunrise'' (1995) and the sec ...

'', ''

Forgetting Sarah Marshall ''Forgetting Sarah Marshall'' is a 2008 American comedy film directed by Nicholas Stoller and starring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis and Russell Brand. The film, which was written by Segel and co-produced by Judd Apatow, was releas ...

'', ''

Snow Cake ''Snow Cake'' is a 2006 British/Canadian Independent film, indie romantic comedy Drama (film and television), drama film directed by Marc Evans and starring Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie-Anne Moss, Emily Hampshire and Callum Keith Rennie ...

'', ''

The Wendell Baker Story ''The Wendell Baker Story'' is a 2005 American comedy film directed by Luke Wilson and Andrew Wilson and starring Luke Wilson, Eva Mendes, Owen Wilson, Eddie Griffin, Kris Kristofferson, Harry Dean Stanton, Seymour Cassel, and Will Ferrell. It pr ...

'', ''

House of D ''House of D'' is a 2004 coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by David Duchovny as his directorial debut. The film stars Duchovny, Anton Yelchin, Téa Leoni, Erykah Badu, Frank Langella, Zelda Williams, and Robin Williams. It was screened at t ...

'', the directorial debut of

David Duchovny David William Duchovny ( ; born ) is an American actor, writer, producer, director, novelist, and singer-songwriter. He is known for portraying FBI agent Fox Mulder on the television series ''The X-Files'' (1993–2002, 2016-2018) and as wri ...

, and recognized some of the film industry's most talented actors and filmmakers, including legendary producer

Edward R. Pressman Edward Rambach Pressman (April 11, 1943 – January 17, 2023) was an American film producer and founder of the production company Edward R. Pressman Film Corporation. Pressman was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the son of Lynn Pressm ...

(Wall Street, Reversal of Fortune, Hoffa, American Psycho, Bad Lieutenant, Thank You For Smoking, Fur), comedy icon

Harold Ramis Harold Allen Ramis (; November 21, 1944 – February 24, 2014) was an American actor, comedian, director and writer. His best-known film acting roles were as Egon Spengler in ''Ghostbusters'' (1984) and '' Ghostbusters II'' (1989), and as Russel ...

(Stripes, Caddyshack, Animal House, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day),

Luke Wilson Luke Cunningham Wilson (born September 21, 1971) is an American actor known for his roles in films such as ''Bottle Rocket'' (1996), '' Rushmore'' (1998), '' My Dog Skip'' (2000), '' Legally Blonde'' (2001), '' The Royal Tenenbaums'' (2001), '' ...

(The Royal Tenenbaums),

Kevin Smith Kevin Patrick Smith (born August 2, 1970) is an American filmmaker, actor, comedian, comic book writer, author, YouTuber, and podcaster. He came to prominence with the low-budget comedy buddy film '' Clerks'' (1994), which he wrote, directed, ...

(Clerks, Chasing Amy),

Michelle Monaghan Michelle Lynn Monaghan ( ; born March 23, 1976) is an American actress, best known for her starring roles in '' Kiss Kiss Bang Bang'' (2005), '' Gone Baby Gone'' (2007), '' Made of Honor'' (2008), '' Eagle Eye'' (2008), '' Trucker'' (2008), ''So ...

(Gone Baby Gone),

Aaron Paul Aaron Paul (born Aaron Paul Sturtevant; August 27, 1979) is an American actor best known for portraying Jesse Pinkman in the AMC series ''Breaking Bad'' (2008–2013), for which he won several awards, including the Critics' Choice Television ...

(Breaking Bad),

Tim Daly James Timothy Daly (born March 1, 1956) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Joe Hackett on the NBC sitcom ''Wings'' and his voice role as Clark Kent/Superman in '' Superman: The Animated Series'', as well as his recurring role a ...

(Wings),

Jeremy Davies Jeremy Davies (né Boring; born October 8, 1969) is an American film and television actor. He is known for playing Ray Aibelli in '' Spanking the Monkey'' (1994), Corporal Upham in ''Saving Private Ryan'' (1998), Snow in '' Solaris'' (2002), B ...

(Lost),

Olivia Wilde Olivia Jane Cockburn ( ; born March 10, 1984), known professionally as Olivia Wilde, is an American actress and filmmaker. She played Remy "Thirteen" Hadley on the medical-drama television series ''House'' (2007–2012), and has appeared in th ...

(House, Tron: Legacy),

Hayden Panettiere Hayden Lesley Panettiere (; born August 21, 1989) is an American actress, model, and singer. She is best known for her lead roles as Claire Bennet on the NBC superhero series ''Heroes'' and Juliette Barnes in the ABC/ CMT musical drama series ' ...

(Heroes),

Jesse Eisenberg Jesse Adam Eisenberg (; born October 5, 1983) is an American actor, writer, and director. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Jesse Eisenberg, various accolades, including nominations for an Academy Award, two BAFTA Award ...

(Zombieland, Adventureland),

Sophia Bush Sophia Anna Bush Hughes (born July 8, 1982) is an American actress. She starred as Brooke Davis in The WB/ CW drama series ''One Tree Hill'' (2003–2012), and as Erin Lindsay in the NBC police procedural drama series '' Chicago P.D.'' (2014� ...

(One Tree Hill),

Adrian Grenier Adrian Sean Grenier (born July 10, 1976) is an American actor, producer, director and musician. He is best known for his portrayal of Vincent Chase in the television series ''Entourage'' (2004–2011). He has appeared in films such as ''Drive Me ...

(Entourage),

Zach Braff Zachary Israel Braff'Scrubs' Star Zach Braff Wows ...

(Scrubs, Garden State),

Jane Seymour Jane Seymour (c. 150824 October 1537) was Queen of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII of England from their marriage on 30 May 1536 until her death the next year. She became queen following the execution of Henry's second wife, Anne ...

(Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman),

Josh Lucas Joshua Lucas Easy Dent Maurer (born June 20, 1971) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in various films, including ''American Psycho'' (2000), '' You Can Count on Me'' (2000), '' The Deep End'' (2001), '' A Beautiful Mind'' (20 ...

(Sweet Home Alabama),

Kate Bosworth Catherine Anne Bosworth (born January 2, 1983) is an American actress. Following minor roles in the films '' The Horse Whisperer'' (1998) and ''Remember the Titans'' (2000), she rose to prominence with her role as a young surfer in the box-offi ...

(Win a Date with Tad Hamilton),

Michael Imperioli Michael Imperioli (born March 26, 1966) is an American actor, writer, and musician. He is best known for his role as Christopher Moltisanti in the HBO crime drama ''The Sopranos'' (1999–2007), which earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Ou ...

(The Sopranos),

Fred Schepisi Frederic Alan Schepisi ( ;Pauline Kael, Kael, Pauline (1984). ''Taking It All In''. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. p. 55. born 26 December 1939) is an Australian film director, producer and screenwriter. His credits include ''The Chan ...

(Roxanne, Six Degrees of Separation),

Allison Janney Allison Brooks Janney (born November 19, 1959) is an American actress. In a career spanning three decades, she is known for her performances across multiple genres of screen and stage. Janney has received various accolades, including an Academ ...

(The West Wing, Juno), and

Tate Taylor Tate Taylor (born June 3, 1969) is an American filmmaker and actor. Taylor is best known for directing '' The Help'' (2011), '' Get on Up'' (2014), and '' The Girl on the Train'' (2016). Early life Taylor was born on June 3, 1969 in Jackson, Mi ...

(The Help). In 2012, Sean co-founded the

(Originally named the Baja International Film Festival) with his brother Scott. The inaugural edition took place in Los Cabos from November 14–17, 2012 with

Edward Norton Edward Harrison Norton (born August 18, 1969) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe Award and three Academy Award nominations. Born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised ...

as the official festival adviser. The 4th edition took place November 11–15, 2015. Festival guests have included Academy-Award winner Jared Leto, Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Reese Witherspoon, Rosario Dawson, Atom Egoyan, Academy-Award nominee Edward Norton, Academy Award nominee Matt Dillon, Academy Award winner Melissa Leo, Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, acclaimed Mexican actors Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen, 4-time Emmy nominee Allison Janney, Tate Taylor (writer/director of Academy Award nominated 'The Help'), director Michael Apted, Mike Judge, and many other high profile film industry professionals from the U.S., Mexico, and beyond.

References

External links

Sean Cross Product Red interview

WireImage photo of Sean-Cross, Edward-Norton, Allison-Janney, Octavia-Spencer at Vail Film Festival

WireImage photo of Sean-Cross, Tate-Taylor, Allison-Janney, Octavia-Spencer at Vail Film Festival

WireImage photo of Sean-Cross, Allison-Janney, Octavia-Spencer at Vail Film Festival

WireImage photo of Sean-Cross, Scott-Cross at Vail Film Festival

WireImage photo of Edward-Norton, Allison-Janney, Sean-Cross, Octavia-Spencer at Vail Film Festival

WireImage photo of Sean-Cross, Scott-Cross at Vail Film Festival

WireImage photo of Allison-Janney, Sean-Cross, Octavia-Spencer at Vail Film Festival

2009 Vail Film Festival Press Release, Sean Cross quote

Vail Film Festival Facebook Fan page

Cabo International Film Festival Facebook Fan page

Men's Health interview with Sean Cross and Scott Cross
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cross, Sean American male actors American film producers Year of birth missing (living people) Film festival founders Living people