User Bio

Ellen Houlihan is an award-winning narrative and commercial film director whose work has been featured on The Huffington Post and Perez Hilton. She is currently shortlisted for the 2013 AICP awards, and has won a 2013 College Emmy and the 2012 Cannes Young Director Award; in addition to earning Best of All Entries at the Porsche International Advertising Film Awards; two Telly Awards; two Los Angeles ADDY awards, and Semi-Finalist at the Moondance International Film Festival.

Houlihan just wrapped production on her most ambitious project yet: a 20-minute comedy starring Academy Award nominated actress Sally Kellerman (M*A*S*H), Betsy Franco (Funny or Die) and Tara Lynne Barr (God Bless America) intended to serve as an industry calling card for professional Film/TV work.

This year, she is graduating with an MFA in Film from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena (Los Angeles). Noted alums of the program include Michael Bay, Zack Snyder, Tarsem, Michael Sucsy and Roger Avary. She holds a BA in Communication and Media Studies from New York City's Fordham University.

In addition to directing, writing and producing, Houlihan is a fixture on the Los Angeles comedy circuit, regularly performing improv with her team at venues including Upright Citizens Brigade, iO West and indie rooms across the city.

Ellen’s professional background includes working in film development for Todd Phillips (The Hangover franchise), Chris Moore (Good Will Hunting, American Pie) and celebrity brand development as a creative executive at The Robert Thorne Company bringing in a DKNY Jeans year-long contract for Hilary Duff, and advising on projects for Quincy Jones and Oscar- and Pulitzer-winning writer Larry McMurtry. A native New Yorker, Houlihan’s first job in the film business was working as a PA on Night at the Museum, while finishing her Bachelor’s degree from Fordham University.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
2013 AICP Show Shortlist
2013 College Emmys
2013 Los Angeles ADDY Award
2012 Cannes Young Director Award- Winner
2012 Porsche International Award- Best of All Entries
2012 Brett Ratner/Tom Ford PSA contest- second highest number of votes
2012 Telly Award - Silver
2012 Telly Award - Bronze
2012 Los Angeles ADDY - Bronze
2011 Moondance International Film Festival- Semi-Finalist

PRESS:
The Huffington Post, Perez Hilton, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Backstage West, and more. Tweets by Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, Jim Gaffigan and Marc Maron.

Contact: ehoulihan@gmail.com