ABOUT
Blake Winston Rice is a writer-director from New Jersey and a graduate of Rowan University.
His breakout short Tea (2024), a 1990s dramedy starring Michael Gandolfini and executive produced by Patty Jenkins, premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
His most recent short, DISC, premiered at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival and continues its festival run in competition at the 2026 Clermont-Ferrand and Tribeca Film Festival. DISC was highlighted by IndieWire as one of the “Best New Films That Premiered at the Fall Festivals.” Blake was recently named a 2025 Vimeo Breakout Creator for his emerging body of work and also produced PRIME, which is selected for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
He is represented by Kaplan Perrone and is currently developing his debut feature The Empty Lot (Wild Atlantic Pictures).
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
2026 - Official Selection, DISC - Tribeca Film Festival*
2026 - International Competition, DISC - Psarokokalo International Film Festival (Greece)
2026 - Official Competition, PRIME (producer) - Sundance Film Festival*
2026 - Official Competition, DISC - Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival*
2026 - Official Competition, DISC - Bali International Film Festival (IDN)*
2026 - Official Competition, DISC - RiverRun Film Festival*
2026 - WINNER, Special Jury Award, DISC - Florida Film Festival*
2026 - WINNER, Special Jury Mention, DISC - Athens Film Festival*
2026 - WINNER, Audience Choice Award, DISC - Norwalk Film Festival
2026 - Official Selection, DISC - Milwaukee Film Festival
2025 - Official Competition (ShortCuts Programme), DISC - Toronto International Film Festival*
2025 - Official Competition, DISC - Calgary International Film Festival (CAN)*
2025 - Official Competition, DISC - New Hampshire Film Festival*
2025 - Official Competition, DISC - Woodstock Film Festival*
2025 - Official Selection, DISC - Charlotte Film Festival
2025 - Official Selection, DISC - SXSW Sydney Film Festival (AUS)
2025 - Official Selection, DISC - New/Next Film Festival
2025 - Official Selection, DISC - Buffalo Film Festival
2025 - Official Selection, DISC - San Diego International Film Festival
2025 - NOMINEE (Best Director, Performance, Editing), DISC - Chilliwack Ind. Film Festival (CAN)
2025 - Official Selection, DISC - Micheaux Film Festival
2025 - Official Selection, DISC - Aesthetica Film Festival (ENG)
2024 - Official Competition (Short Film Palm D'Or), TEA - Cannes Film Festival*
2025 - Official Competition, TEA - Florida Film Festival*
2025 - WINNER, Best HMU / SFX Makeup, TEA - RiverRun Film Festival*
2025 - Official Competition, TEA - Athens Film Festival*
2024 - WINNER, Best Producer (Gabriella Piazza), TEA - Hollyshorts Film Festival*
2024 - Official Competition, TEA - Palm Springs Shorfest*
2024 - Official Competition, TEA - Nashville International Film Festival*
2024 - Official Competition, TEA - Tirana International Film Festival (Albania)*
2024 - Official Competition, TEA - Woodstock Film Festival*
2024 - Official Competition, TEA - Sante Fe International Film Festival*
2024 - Official Competition, TEA - Tehran International Film Festival (Iran)*
2024 - Official Selection, TEA - Izmir Kisa International Short Film Festival (Turkey)*
2024 - Official Selection, TEA - Leuven International Short Film Festival (Belgium)*
2024 - NOMINEE, Best Live Action Short, TEA - SCAD, Savannah Film Festival
2024 - NOMINEE, Best Live Action Short, TEA - Newport Beach Film Festival
2024 - NOMINEE, Best Live Action Short, TEA - Denver International Film Festival
2024 - WINNER (Best Narrative Short Film), TEA - Charlotte Film Festival
2024 - WINNER (Best Narrative Short Film), TEA - Bushwick Film Festival
2024 - WINNER (Outstanding Writing in a Drama), TEA - Micheaux Film Festival
2024 - WINNER (Outstanding Actor, Michael Gandolfini), TEA - Micheaux Film Festival
2024 - WINNER (Best Director, Short), TEA - Yellowstone International Film Festival (India)
2024 - WINNER (Best Director), TEA - i-Fest International Film Festival (Italy)
20245 - WINNER (Best Short Film), TEA - Donosskino Short Film Festival (Spain)
2025 - WINNER (Best Picture), TEA - Santa Barbara Inner Light Film Festival
2025 - WINNER (Best of Show, Best Comedy), TEA - 15 Minute Film Festival
2025 - Official Selection, TEA - Ennesimo Film Festival (Italy)
2025 - Official Selection, TEA - Goga International Film Festival (Italy)
2025 - Official Selection, TEA - The Naked Film Festival (Brazil)
2025 - Official Selection, TEA - Festival International du court Mértage au Saquenay (Quebec)
2025 - Official Selection, TEA - The Smalls Film Festival (London, England)
2024 - Official Selection, TEA - Montana International Film Festival
2024 - Official Selection, TEA - Calabasas International Film Festival
2024 - Official Selection, TEA - Buffalo International Film Festival
2024 - Official Selection, TEA - Philadelphia Film Festival
2024 - Official Selection, TEA - Cannes Indie Shorts Film Festival (France)
2024 - Official Selection, TEA - Coronado Film Festival
2024 - Official Selection, TEA - Chilliwack Independent Film Festival (BC, CN)
2024 - Official Selection, TEA - Norwalk Film Festival
2024 - NOMINEE, Best Romantic Comedy (Short), TEA - Austin Revolution Film Film Festival
2024 - NOMINEE, Best Editing (Short), TEA - Austin Revolution Film Film Festival
2025 - Official Selection, TEA - Mondial Film Festival
2025 - Official Selection, TEA - VIMEO STAFF PICK
2025 - Official Selection, TEA - Short of the Week
2023 - SEMI-FINALIST, Sawdust - Flicker's Rhode Island Film Festival
2023 - SEMI-FINALIST, Sawdust - Dumbo Film Festival
2023 - Official Selection, Sawdust - Lonestar Film Festival
2023 - Official Selection, Sawdust - Montant Int. Film Festival
2023 - Official Selection, Sawdust - New York Shorts Film Festival
2022 - WINNER (Special Grand Jury Award), Steps - DeadCenter Film Festival*
2022 - Official Selection, Steps - Sidewalk Film Festival
2022 - SEMI-FINALIST, Steps - Flicker's Film Festival*
2022 - FINALIST, Steps - Sugar Loaf Film Festival
2022 - FINALIST, Steps - Big Apple Film Festival
2022 - Official Selection, Steps - Sarasota Film Festival
2022 - Official Selection, Steps - Carrboro Film Festival
2022 - Official Selection, Steps - Deep Focus Film Festival
2022 - Official Selection, Steps - Chelsea Film Festival
2021 - FINALIST, T.G.W.V.W. - Hollywood Screnplay Competition
2021 - Official Selection, The Recovery Call - Another Hole in the Head Film Festival
2020 - Official Selection, Movie Magic (Screenplay) - Orlando International. Film Festival
2020 - Official Selection, Movie Magic (Screenplay) - Fort Meyers International. Film Festival
2020 - Official Selection, Movie Magic (Screenplay) - Screenwriting Master Contest
2020 - SEMIFINALIST Special Days (Screenplay) - Dallas International. Film Festival*
2020 - Official Selection, Special Days (Screenplay) - Twister Alley Film Festival
2020 - Official Selection, Special Days (Screenplay) - Fort Lauderdale International. Film Festival
2020 - Official Selection, Special Days (Screenplay) - Houston Comedy Film Festival
2019 - WINNER (Best SFX) The Creeper's Curse - Queens World Film Festival
2019 - WINNER (Best Director in a Short) People Like You - New York City International Film Festival
2019 - WINNER (Best Short Film) People Like You - New York City Internatoinal. Film Festival
2012 - WINNER (Broze Telly Award) Socially Awkward Sketch Comedy - Telly Awards (USA)
2012 - WINNER (Best Comedy) Socially Awkward Sketch Comedy - Pasaic County Film Festival
2012 - WINNER (Best in Festival) Socially Awkward Sketch Comedy - Pasaic County Film Festival
2012 - WINNER (The Rowan Award) Socially Awkward Sketch Comedy - Atlantic City Film Festival
2012 - FINALIST (Best Comedy) Socially Awkward Sketch Comedy - Wet Your Pants Comedy Festical
2012 - WINNER(Best Comedy Series) Socially Awkward Sketch Comedy - College Broadcast Awards (USA)
*Oscar Qualifier
