Rich Samuels
Director of Production

Rich Samuels has been a filmmaker since he was eleven years old, and today focuses on youth and youth-oriented programs. His has received three Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards, his first recognizing outstanding programming for Children and Youth, and was nominated for two others. His work has also been honored with recognition at festivals worldwide.

Among his accomplishments: Samuels served for three years as the founding producer of “LA This Week,” a political newsmagazine. He was Producer and Editor of “Kafkaesuqe” and the feature documentary, “Prescription: Suicide.” His educational drama, “TekTek,” exploring Internet safety, is distributed to schools nationwide. Samuels served as writer/ producer on several episodes of Robert Stack’s “Lords of the Mafia” historical documentary series, and most recently co-created an experimental comedy short, “Whatever Happened to Andy Tark?” Samuels has also been awarded several screenwriting awards, and is an active freelance writer.

Before becoming involved with Freshifilmworx, Samuels created a number of filmmaking workshops, including a program with senior citizens, a workshop at a youth probation camp, and an innovative filmmaking workshop at Pacific Lodge Boys Home in Woodland Hills, using filmmaking to teach teamwork and leadership skills to teenagers addressing emotional and substance abuse issues.

Samuels served on the board of the International Documentary Association, where he was instrumental in creating the organization’s youth outreach program, coordinated the IDA’s Student Documentary Awards, and served on the organization’s executive committee. Samuels is also a member in good standing of the Producers Guild of America.