X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Dustin Guy Defa Biography

Birth Name:Dustin Guy Defa

Profession Actor, Writer, Editor, Director, Producer

Fast Facts

  • The New Yorker named his film "Bad Fever" one of the best films of 2012
  • Won the Male Stargazer Award at the 18th Annual Genart Film Festival for his performance in "Swim Little Fish Swim․"
  • His short film "Person to Person" won the DAAD Short Film Prize at the Berlin Film Festival in 2014, earning him a three-month artist-in-residency stay in Berlin
  • Quote: "Thankfully, I've become more and more connected to people and able to talk to people, but I've also in my life had a very big struggle connecting to people and talking to people․"
  • Quote: "I don't know who these characters are until I start writing․"
  • Quote: "Acting has given me an enormous gratitude for actors and their work․ But acting is also a natural part of me․"
  • His films, such as "Bad Fever," often explore his fascination with people's desire and inability to connect with others
  • Known for his short films, including "Family Nightmare" and "Declaration of War," both of which he created by editing found footage

Awards

  • 2002Grand Jury Prize-: nominated
  • 2011Best Feature-Narrative: nominated
  • 2011Audience Award-Emerging Visions: nominated
  • 2013Stargazer Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2013Best Feature-Best Male Actor: winner
  • 2014Grand Jury Prize-Live Action Short Film: nominated
  • 2014Golden Berlin Bear-Best Short Film: nominated
  • 2014DAAD Short Film Award-: winner
  • 2014International Competition Award-Best Fiction Short: winner
  • 2014Autumn Audience Award-: winner
  • 2014Special Jury Award-Narrative Short: winner
  • 2014SXSW Grand Jury Award-Narrative Short: nominated
  • 2014Short Film Grand Jury Prize-: nominated
  • 2017Golden Leopard - Filmmakers of the Present-Golden Leopard: nominated
  • 2017Best Feature Film-International Competition: nominated
  • 2017Future/Now-: nominated
  • 2017Independent Visions Award-Best Film: nominated
  • 2017Audience Award-Best of Next!: nominated
  • 2018Grand Prize City of Lisbon-International Competition: nominated
  • 2023Encounters Award-: nominated
  • 2023Golden Lady Harimaguada-Best Film: nominated
  • 2024Audience Award-Next: nominated