Stefan Schaefer

• Born — 17 August 1971 • Birthplace — Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. • Occupation — * Writer • director • producer • Education — Wesleyan University (BA) Kiel University (Fulbright Scholar) • Spouse — Chenta Laury • Children — 2

Schaefer was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was raised in Sussex during his early childhood, and later lived in both Michigan and New York. He studied theatre and political theory at Wesleyan University and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. After completing his undergraduate studies, he spent a year and a half in Germany as a Fulbright scholar at Kiel University. After returning to New York City, he co-founded the production company Cicala Filmworks. He is the maternal grandson of Carl R. Eklund, a polar explorer and ornithologist.

Schaefer's 2007 film Arranged was screened at festivals such as South by Southwest (SXSW). His work has been made available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO, PBS, and Sundance Channel. With writer Chris Silber, Schaefer has co-written television films for the European networks ARD and ZDF, including two productions filmed in Hawaii. Schaefer directed the documentary, Contested Streets, which compared the use of public space and streets in New York City with London, Paris, and Copenhagen. The film was shown at environmental film festivals and aired on Sundance TV as part of The Green series. He also directed a documentary on W.S. Merwin, Even Though the Whole World Is Burning.

Film • Year — Title — Credit — Notes • 2005 — Confess — Director/writer • 2006 — Act Normal — Co-producer — Documentary • Contested Streets — Director/Producer/Editor — Documentary • 2007 — Arranged — Director/Writer/Producer • 2008 — The Higher Force — Writer/Producer/Actor — Comedy • The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela — Drama film • 2009 — The Hungry Ghosts — Producer/Actor — Drama film • 2011 — The Roundup — Director/Writer/Producer — Short film • Get a Job — Producer/Actor • My Last Day Without You — Director/Writer/Producer • 2014 — Even Though the Whole World Is Burning — Director/Writer/Producer — Documentary • 2017 — Kuleana — Producer/Actor • 2020 — Aloha Surf Hotel — Director/Writer/Producer • 2023 — Viral — Director/Co-writer/Producer — Short film • 2024 — Grit & Gratitude: The Sig Anderman Story — Director/Writer/Producer — Documentary Television • Year — Title — Credit • 2009 — Circledrawers — Co-creator/producer/actor • 2012 — First Lady / Nicht mit mir, Liebling — Writer • 2013 — The Paradise Within / Das Paradies in uns • To Love, Let Go / Wer liebt, lässt los • 2015 — Bluewater: Nightmare in Paradise / Blauwasserleben • 2016 — Surf Break Hotel — Director/Writer/Producer • W.S. Merwin: To Plant a Tree — Director/Writer/Producer • 2018 — I Am Because You Are — Director/Writer/Producer