Robbie Pickering

Robbie Pickering is an American film director, screenwriter, and film producer known for his work in independent cinema. He first gained significant recognition for his feature film debut, Natural Selection, which premiered at the South by Southwest film festival. His career is characterized by a blend of dark comedy and poignant drama, often exploring complex familial and personal relationships. Pickering has also worked extensively in television, directing episodes for series on networks like Hulu and Netflix.

Early life and education

Pickering was born in 1978 in Houston, Texas, and developed an early interest in storytelling and film. He pursued his higher education at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied radio-television-film and began crafting his narrative voice. During his time at university, he was involved with the Austin Film Society and was influenced by the vibrant local film scene in Texas. He later refined his skills through the Sundance Institute's screenwriting labs, which helped shape his debut feature.

Career

Pickering's career breakthrough came with his first feature film, Natural Selection, which he wrote and directed. The film, starring Rachael Harris and Matt O'Leary, won the Grand Jury and Audience awards for narrative feature at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival. This success established his reputation within the American independent film community. He subsequently transitioned into television, directing episodes for series such as The Last Tycoon for Amazon Prime Video and The Arrangement for E!. His television work also includes directing for the Hulu series Casual and the Netflix series Atypical. In 2023, he directed the thriller film The List for Lifetime, continuing his work across different genres and mediums.

Filmography

* Natural Selection (2011) – Director, writer * The List (2023) – Director * The Arrangement (2017) – Director (2 episodes) * Casual (2016) – Director (1 episode) * The Last Tycoon (2016-2017) – Director (2 episodes) * Atypical (2019) – Director (1 episode)

Awards and nominations

For his work on Natural Selection, Pickering received the Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature and the Audience Award for Narrative Feature at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival. The film was also nominated for the John Cassavetes Award at the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards. His screenplay for the same film earned a nomination for Best First Screenplay at the 2012 Writers Guild of America Awards. These accolades helped cement the film's status as a critical success in the festival circuit.

Personal life

Pickering maintains a relatively private personal life but is known to be based in Los Angeles, California. He is an advocate for independent filmmaking and has participated in panels and discussions at events like the Austin Film Festival. His work often reflects his Texas roots, exploring themes relevant to the American South. He continues to develop new projects for both film and television.

Category:American film directors Category:American screenwriters Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:People from Houston Category:University of Texas at Austin alumni