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In an advance review of Steve’s fourth feature film STUCK! critic MJ Simpson in England writes: “Steve Balderson is the best-kept secret in American independent cinema. He makes his own films – which are unfailingly brilliant – and the rest of the world very, very gradually catches up with him...”

STUCK! stars Karen Black, Susan Traylor, Jane Wiedlin, and Mink Stole. Currently in post-production, the film is invited to premiere in October, 2009, at the Raindance Film Festival in London.

Balderson’s third feature film, WATCH OUT, was highly praised by critics as “One of the great cult films of all time, (MJ Simpson).” WATCH OUT also premiered at Raindance to sold-out crowds, where it was nominated for Best International Feature.

Film Threat writes, Balderson “makes movies that are so gorgeous that it's not unreasonable to say that, cinematographically at least; he's the equal of an Argento or Kubrick in their prime. Some people have perfect vocal pitch, Steve has perfect visual composition.”

WATCH OUT was released theatrically in 2008 to sold-out audiences in the roadshow “Stop Turning Me On” world tour. It was released on DVD in October 2008, where it debuted at #24 on Amazon.com’s Top 100.

Roger Ebert gave Balderson's second film, the surrealist crime drama FIRECRACKER (starring Karen Black and Mike Patton) a special jury award on his list of 2005's Best Films. The breathtaking imagery in FIRECRACKER pushed through the limits of cinema, establishing Balderson as one of today’s finest visual storytellers.

Balderson’s other work includes the critically-acclaimed PHONE SEX (featuring Margaret Cho, Ron Jeremy, Penn Jillette and Lloyd Kaufman), PEP SQUAD (the satire that predicted American school violence), UNDERBELLY (a year in the life of dancer Princess Farhana) and the award-winning WAMEGO documentary series about DIY Filmmaking. If you are unfamiliar with Balderson's movies, you can rent or purchase them almost anywhere in the world.

Steve is also the subject of a book by author Joe Schaefer. In it, the author writes, “Having a dream and actually sitting down and hashing out how one will achieve it are two different things. Steve Balderson longed to be a filmmaker, so he made it happen. This writer/director/producer just may be the personification of the new American dream.”

More information about Steve Balderson can be found on his website “dikenga.com” or by searching his name on the internet.


Awards for Steve Balderson

* 2008 Raindance Film Festival - Nominee Best International Feature (Watch Out)
* 2005 Visionfest - Winner Domani Vision Award (Firecracker)
* 2005 Visionfest - Winner Best Film (Firecracker)
* 2005 Visionfest - Winner Best Cinematography (Firecracker)
* 2005 Fantasporto - Nomination Best Film (Firecracker)
* 2004 Raindance Film Festival - Jury Prize Nomination Best Film (Firecracker)
* 2004 Fox Film Festival - Winner Best Film (Wamego: Making Movies Anywhere)
* 2004 KAN Film Festival - Winner Independent Filmmaker Award (Wamego)
* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Winner Killer-B Award Best Screenplay (Pep Squad)
* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Nomination Killer-B Best Director (Pep Squad)
* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Nomination Killer-B Best Picture (Pep Squad)
* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Nomination Killer-B Best Cinematography (Pep Squad)
* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Nomination Killer-B Best Editing (Pep Squad)
* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Nomination Killer-B Best Set Design (Pep Squad)
* 1999 Great Plains Film Festival - Best Film Nomination (Pep Squad)
* 1999 Fantasporto - Nomination Best Film (Pep Squad)
* 1998 Cannes Film Festival - World Premiere Marché du Film (Pep Squad)