Sumner McMurtry is an award-winning director and storyteller from Nashville, Tennessee, with both a BFA and MFA in Film Production. His work spans film, commercials, music videos, and other creative projects, all marked by a bold visual style and a love for the delightfully wacky. Sumner blends inventive artistry with an instinct for connection, ensuring every story leaves a lasting impression.

His filmmaking journey began with early successes such as Not Clickbait (2019), which won the grand prize at Lipscomb University’s Five Minute Film Festival before screening at the Nashville Film Festival, the South’s oldest-running film festival. In 2022, his short They’ve Been Waiting For You premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Austin Film Festival, further cementing his voice as a rising talent.

However, his most ambitious project to date, LEMON-AID (2024), has made a significant splash on the international festival circuit. The sixteen-minute original short premiered at RiverRun International Film Festival and has since earned many accolades including Short of the Year at the RED Movie Awards in France, Honorable Mention for Best Tennessee Short at Nashville Film Festival, Best Costume Design at Headline Horizons Film Festival in Florida, and Best Direction at Absurd Film Festival in Italy. It has also been officially selected by festivals such as Sidewalk Film Festival and Hollywood Shorts Fest.

Critics have praised its originality, inventive production design, and committed performances, calling it “vibrant and original” and “freshly squeezed,” with one festival noting ”we had never seen anything like it before, and we haven’t seen anything like it since.”

Beyond his festival work, Sumner has directed commercials and branded content for both independent artists and international clients, bringing his distinct blend of humor, visual flair, and unconventional storytelling to every project. A skilled photographer and video editor with a sharp eye for both, he brings a cohesive visual sensibility to every stage of production, from concept to final cut.

Sumner’s passion has and always will be telling stories, in any capacity.