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. The film went on to screen at 13 Oscar-qualifying festivals, earning awards at RiverRun, Charlotte, HollyShorts, Bushwick, Yellowstone, and Micheaux. Tea is now a Vimeo Staff Pick and streaming on Kanopy.
​
Blake is represented by Kaplan Perrone. His most recent short DISC, premiered at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival.
He is currently in advanced development on his debut feature, The Empty Lot (Wild Atlantic Pictures) alongside his follow-up feature film, Valves.
​
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
​
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
202​3 - SEMI-FINALIST, Sawdust - Flicker's Rhode Island Film Festival
202​3 - 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
​
​
