Daniels (directors)
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Daniel Kwan (Chinese:關家永;pinyin:Guān jiāyǒng;Jyutping:gwaan1 gaa1 wing5, born February 10, 1988) and Daniel Scheinert (born June 7, 1987), known collectively as the Daniels, are an American filmmaking duo. They began their career by directing music videos, including "Houdini" (2012) by Foster the People and "Turn Down for What" (2013) by DJ Snake and Lil Jon, both of which earned them Grammy Award nominations.
They wrote and directed the absurdist comedy-dramas Swiss Army Man (2016) and Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). The latter became A24's then-highest-grossing film, and won the duo many awards, including Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.
Early lives and education
Daniel M. Kwan born in Westborough, Massachusetts to a Taiwanese mother and a father from Hong Kong. He attended Westborough High School and graduated in 2006.
Daniel Scheinert was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, the son of Becky and Ken Scheinert. He attended Oak Mountain Elementary and Middle School, and graduated from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School in 2004.
Kwan and Scheinert met while studying film at Emerson College in Boston. Kwan graduated in 2010 and Scheinert graduated in 2009.
Careers
Music videos
The Daniels went to college with Sunita Mani, who starred with Kwan in the music video for "Turn Down for What", which they directed.
Since 2011, the duo have directed music videos for artists including Foster the People, the Shins and Tenacious D. In 2018, Kwan co-founded the group We Direct Music Videos (W.D.M.V.), described as "a global community of music video directors who are committed to sustainable directorial labor practices".
Transition to film and television
In 2016, the duo expanded to feature films, writing and directing their feature directorial debut Swiss Army Man, starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe, which received positive reviews, as well as the duo winning the Directing Award at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. In 2019, Scheinert directed the black comedy-drama film The Death of Dick Long, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and received positive reviews.
The Daniels have since accumulated several television directing credits, including Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, Legion (Kwan only) and On Becoming a God in Central Florida (Scheinert only). The duo were attached as directors on a prospective TV adaption of Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, being developed by Noah Hawley, but the project was not picked up.
The Daniels directed one episode of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (2024).
Everything Everywhere All at Once
The Daniels announced in 2017 they would write, direct, and produce a science-fiction film with their producing partner Jonathan Wang and the Russo brothers. Everything Everywhere All at Once, starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong and Jamie Lee Curtis, was released in March 2022 to widespread critical acclaim and box office success, garnering several awards and accolades for the duo including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Director at the 95th Academy Awards. The film received 11 Academy Award nominations, more than any other film that year, and won seven. Prior to the Oscars ceremony, IGN calculated that Everything Everywhere All at Once had surpassed The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) as the most awarded film of all time.
Upcoming projects
As of 2022[update], the Daniels have signed a first look TV deal with A24. The same year, they also signed a five-year film deal with Universal Pictures.
The duo were on the Time 100 Next list in 2022.
In February 2024, it was announced that the Daniels' next feature film was scheduled to release on June 12, 2026. The following year it was announced that the film had been delayed to an unspecified date after Universal Pictures confirmed that Steven Spielberg's then-untitled Disclosure Day would release on that date.
In June 2025, it was announced that the Daniels would produce a "high-concept comedy" written and potentially directed by Paul Dano for Universal Pictures.
It was reported that their next film would begin shooting in Los Angeles in the summer of 2026, and star Matt Damon.
Personal lives
Kwan has been married to fellow filmmaker and animator Kirsten Lepore since 2016, and together they have one son. He was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder after researching the condition for Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Filmography
Short film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Swingers | Yes | Yes | |
| 2010 | Puppets | Yes | Yes | |
| 2011 | My Best Friend's Wedding/ My Best Friend's Sweating | Yes | Yes | |
| 2014 | Possibilia | Yes | Yes | |
| 2014 | Interesting Ball | Yes | Yes | |
| 2020 | Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia | Yes | Yes | Segments |
Scheinert only
| Year | Title | Director | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | I'm Nostalgic | Yes | No |
| 2008 | Trust | Yes | Yes |
Feature film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Swiss Army Man | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2022 | Everything Everywhere All at Once | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Scheinert only
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Death of Dick Long | Yes | Yes | Also portrayed Dick Long; Also performed "It's Been Awhile" |
Television
| Year | Title | Episode |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | NTSF:SD:SUV:: | "Comic Con Air" |
| "Wreck the Malls" | ||
| Childrens Hospital | "Coming and Going" | |
| Infomercials | "Broomshakalaka!" | |
| 2020 | Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens | "Grandma & Chill" |
| 2024 | Star Wars: Skeleton Crew | "Can't Say I Remember No At Attin" |
Kwan only
| Year | Title | Episode |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Legion | "Chapter 23" |
Scheinert only
| Year | Title | Episode |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Right Now Kapow | "Radical Mutants/My Fair Peasant" |
| 2019 | On Becoming a God in Central Florida | "Many Masters" |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Underwear" | FM Belfast | |
| "Pigeons" | The Hundred in the Hands | ||
| "Commotion" | |||
| 2011 | "Simple Math" | Manchester Orchestra | |
| "Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)" | Foster the People | ||
| "When the Night Falls" | Chromeo (featuring Solange Knowles) | ||
| 2012 | "My Machines" | Battles | |
| "Simple Song" | The Shins | ||
| "Houdini" | Foster the People | ||
| "Rize of the Fenix" | Tenacious D | ||
| 2013 | "Cry Like a Ghost" | Passion Pit | |
| 2014 | "Turn Down for What" | DJ Snake and Lil Jon | |
| "Tongues" | Joywave | ||
| 2017 | "The Sunshine" | Manchester Orchestra | |
| "The Alien" |
Accolades
See also
- List of oldest and youngest Academy Award winners and nominees#Youngest winners for Best Director