Andrew Benson

Andrew creates content for impact. His creative direction has secured ADDYs and helped raise tens of millions for impact organizations. “Mitchell 20,” a documentary about education that he wrote/produced/co-directed, was distributed theatrically through AMC Independent and won a Rocky Mountain Emmy for Best Documentary. “The Joe Show,” a nearly ten-year-long profile of Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the decline of the fourth estate that he story produced was sold to Investigative Discovery and played festivals worldwide. His original docudrama concept “Edge of War” was sold to Discovery Military. The show’s host, General Wesley Clark, said it “could reduce enthusiasm for war”, which was exactly its intent. Andrew learned the craft of filmmaking while on the job. Working up the ranks from production assistant to production manager, then line producer and writer, to writer/producer/director—and everything in between. Early in his career, he worked alongside the executive producer and creator of The Amazing Race and with teams from UK-based factual production companies like the BBC, RAWtv, and Darlow Smithson during a renaissance of recreation productions that shaped the rise of the docudrama. These experiences inform his rich understanding of storytelling, creative collaboration, and strategies to maximize production value. He heralds from Phoenix, AZ, where he developed as an artist and activist through the tutelage of great mentors and teachers. He's lived and worked in San Francisco, New York City, Ecuador, France, Liberia, and South Africa.