Career Timeline of Sara Driver: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Sara Driver, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Sara Driver is an American independent filmmaker and actress prominent in the downtown New York film scene from the late 1970s to the 1990s. She produced Jim Jarmusch's early films, *Permanent Vacation* and *Stranger Than Paradise*. Driver directed the features *Sleepwalk* and *When Pigs Fly*, and the short film *You Are Not I*. Notably, she directed the documentary *Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat*, capturing the pre-fame life of the artist within the evolving New York arts scene of the 1980s. She has also served as a jury member for several film festivals in the 2000s.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1977: What the Hell - Zelda Sayre

In 1977, Sara Driver worked on the play What the Hell - Zelda Sayre as a writer and director.

1980: Permanent Vacation release

In 1980, Sara Driver gained recognition as the producer of Jim Jarmusch's early film, Permanent Vacation.

1981: You Are Not I Release

In 1981, Sara Driver directed the short film, You Are Not I.

1981: You Are Not I directorial debut

In 1981, Sara Driver made her directorial debut with "You Are Not I", a short film based on a Paul Bowles story, co-written by Jim Jarmusch. The film premiered at the Public Theater, but a warehouse fire destroyed the film's negative.

1984: Stranger Than Paradise Release

In 1984, Sara Driver gained recognition as the producer of Jim Jarmusch's early film, Stranger Than Paradise.

1986: Sleepwalk Release and Awards

In 1986, Sara Driver directed her first feature film, Sleepwalk, and it received the Prix Georges Sadoul by the Cinémathèque Française and the Special Prize at the International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg. It was also selected for the opening night of the International Critics' Week at the Cannes Film Festival.

1987: Sleepwalk at Film Festivals

In 1987, Sara Driver's film Sleepwalk was featured at the Museum of Modern Art's New Directors/New Films Festival and the Sundance Film Festival.

1990: Directed "Bed and Boar" episode of Monsters

In 1990, Sara Driver directed the "Bed and Boar" episode of the TV series Monsters.

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1990: Jazz Passengers in Egypt

In 1990, Sara Driver directed the experimental musical Jazz Passengers in Egypt, performed at La Mama, NYC.

1993: When Pigs Fly Release

In 1993, Sara Driver directed her second feature film, When Pigs Fly, starring Marianne Faithfull and Alfred Molina, with a score by Joe Strummer.

1994: Stairway to Heaven

In 1994, Sara Driver directed the play Stairway to Heaven at the Cucaracha Theatre, NYC.

1994: The Bowery - Spring, 1994

In 1994, Sara Driver wrote and directed the short documentary, The Bowery - Spring, 1994, part of Postcards from New York, an anthology program for French TV.

1996: NYU Graduate Film School

In 1996, Sara Driver taught directing in NYU's Graduate Film School until 1998.

1996: When Pigs Fly Limited Engagement

In 1996, Sara Driver's film When Pigs Fly played a limited engagement at the Lighthouse Cinema on Suffolk Street in New York.

1998: NYU Graduate Film School

In 1998, Sara Driver was teaching directing in NYU's Graduate Film School since 1996.

2004: Juror at Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema

In 2004, Sara Driver was a juror at the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema, where a retrospective of her films took place.

2005: Juror at Miami International Film Festival

In 2005, Sara Driver served as a juror at the Miami International Film Festival.

2006: Juror at San Sebastián Film Festival and Bahamas International Film Festival

In 2006, Sara Driver was a juror at the San Sebastián Film Festival and the Bahamas International Film Festival.

2010: Juror at Küstendorf Film and Music Festival

In 2010, Sara Driver was a juror at director Emir Kusturica's Küstendorf Film and Music Festival.

2011: You Are Not I Restored Film Screening

In 2011, the restored film "You Are Not I" screened in the Master Works section of The New York Film Festival.

2017: Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat release

In 2017, Sara Driver directed "Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean‑Michel Basquiat", receiving an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

2021: Stranger Than Rotterdam with Sara Driver

In 2021, Sara Driver wrote and acted in a short called Stranger Than Rotterdam with Sara Driver.

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