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Ari Sandel

b. 1974

American filmmaker

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About Ari Sandel

Born 1974. Ari Sandel is an American and Israeli film director, screenwriter and director.

Ari Devon Sandel (born September 5, 1974) is an American filmmaker. He is known for directing the short film West Bank Story, which won the 2006 Academy Award in the category Best Live Action Short Film.

Life and career Sandel was born and raised in Calabasas, California, the son of Kathy (Hale) and Dan Sandel. His father is Israeli and his mother is American. He is Jewish. He studied Media Arts at the University of Arizona in Tucson where he also received a special certificate in Middle Eastern Studies. He went on to earn his Directing MFA from the University of Southern California's School of Cinema–Television. West Bank Story premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and has screened at over one hundred fifty film festivals worldwide, winning prizes from 30.

Sandel also directed a 2006 documentary, Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

In 2015, Sandel's feature film directorial debut, teen comedy The DUFF, was released in theaters.

Sandel directed the horror comedy sequel Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, which began filming in February 2018, and which was released in October of that year.

In 2024, Sandel and fiancé Sabine Moestrup welcomed a baby girl together.

Filmography Short films West Bank Story (2005)

Documentary Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights – Hollywood to the Heartland (2006)

Television Aim High (2013) Shadowhunters (2018)

Feature films The DUFF (2015) When We First Met (2018) Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (2018)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of Arizona, University of Southern California, USC School of Cinematic Arts
Awards
Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film
Also known as
Ari Devon Sandel

People in Ari Sandel's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ari Sandel's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ari Sandel?

American filmmaker

When was Ari Sandel born?

Ari Sandel was born on 5 September 1974 in Los Angeles County.

What is Ari Sandel's occupation?

Ari Sandel is a film director, screenwriter and director.

What nationality is Ari Sandel?

Ari Sandel is American and Israeli.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ari Sandel

· Wikidata: Q653911

· DBpedia: Ari Sandel

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ari Sandel. https://biography.guide/ari-sandel/

MLA: "Ari Sandel." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ari-sandel/.

Chicago: "Ari Sandel." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ari-sandel/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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