I’m a filmmaker and artist who has dedicated my life to the craft of visual storytelling. Every day I am reminded that I have the greatest job in the world: To reveal the wonder of life that’s hiding in plain sight. Sometimes I find stories worth telling just by walking out my front door. Other times I'm discovering them tucked deep into remote corners of the earth. Wherever my work takes me, I’m always delighted to capture intimate and moving portraits of everyday humans doing the extraordinary.
Photo by Kenyon Victor Adams
More specifically, I’m a director, cinematographer, editor and production designer. In each of these roles, I draw from my multi-disciplinary background as a fine artist, carpenter and musician. The projects I am best suited for tend to be in harsh working conditions with limited resources where creative problem solving and intrepid spirit is the most valuable commodity. Past films have ranged from documentary to narrative to gallery installations of all shapes and sizes.
I am also the creative partner of Director/Cinematographer Andrew Michael Ellis. Together, we create films that blend poetry, choreography and myth. Take a look at our work under the name HELIX FILMS. If you'd like to collaborate on a film project or discuss what you see here, feel free to reach out at benstamperpictures@gmail.com.
My work has been screened by National Geographic, Lincoln Center, Cannes Short Film Corner, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Met Breuer, Brooklyn Academy of Music and has also been included into various high school and college curricula in the US and France.
Awards:
Best Short Film “Stay With” Near Nazareth Film Festival, 2022
Vimeo Staff Pick, "Second Shot", 2022
Webby Award People's Voice Winner for Best Public Service and Activism,"The Deep Place", 2018
Clio Award, Cinematography for “The Deep Place, 2018
Addy Award, Best of Public Service, "The Deep Place", 2018
Telly Award, Best Social Issue Film, "The Deep Place," 2018
Telly Award, Best Cinematography, "The Deep Place," 2018
ADC Silver Award, Online Video, "The Deep Place", 2018
CINE Golden Eagle Award, "The Deep Place", 2018
Patagonia Film Festival, Best Cinematography, "The Deep Place," 2018
Best Short Film, "JONAH" San Francisco Dance Film Festival, 2018
Best Screendance Short Under 10 Minutes, “Jonah,” 2017
Vimeo Staff Pick, "Jonah", 2017
Accolade Competition: Award of Merit for Feature Documentary, 2018
Accolade Competition: Award of Merit for Feature Documentary, 2017
The Mexico International Film Festival: The Golden Palm Award for Best Musical, 2013
Las Vegas IFF: The Wild Ace Award for Superior and Standout Filmmaking, 2013
Accolade Competition: Award of Merit for Feature Documentary, 2012
The Artivist Film Festival: Best Feature for Children's Advocacy, 2012
The Redemptive FIlm Festival: Redemptive Storyteller of the Year Award, 2012
The Pocono Film Festival: Best Documentary, 2007