Sara Shelton got her start in commercials as a writer for ad agencies such as Droga5 and Johannes Leonardo. During these years, she simultaneously pursued improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade and sketch comedy writing at the PIT. Her improv team “Lunch with Friends” performed regularly around NYC, and you could often find her in gross bars performing comedic storytelling.

Her directorial work for Sugar Mutts Rescue blew up around the awards circuit as did her work with Country Time Lemonade, which won six Cannes Lions. She’s directed campaigns for brands such as Walmart, Xfinity, Hormel, Bank of America, P&G and The Container Store.

Her debut short film, Teddy Bear, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2022 and gained traction and award recognition (including best comedy, best director, and best actress) in film festivals around the country.

Most recently she directed the intro for Netflix’s Comedy Special Luenell: Town Business produced by Dave Chappelle, and is currently in production on her next short.

Outside of filmmaking, her interests include dogs, nugget ice, spotting rats while waiting for the train, rearranging furniture, and the elation of nailing a one liner at a dinner party.