Azazel Jacobs latest film, “His Three Daughters”, had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was purchased by Netflix in a world wide deal for a 2024 release. The film- which he wrote, directed, edited, and was a producer on- stars Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen and Carrie Coon in performances that have been widely hailed as amongst their best. The film also stars Jovan Adepo, along with Jay O. Sanders, Rudy Galvan, Jose Febus and Jasmine Bracey. It was produced by Arts & Sciences, High Frequency, Tango, Animal Pictures, Talkies Inc. and Diaz Jacobs.
Previously, Azazel Jacobs “French Exit” had it’s world premiere as the closing night film for the New York Film Festival and it’s international premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. Released domestically by Sony Pictures Classics on April 2nd, 2021, and throughout the world by SONY International, it earned a Golden Globe nomination for Michelle Pfeiffer’s lead performance, which Variety proclaimed is “the role which she will be remembered for” and The New York Times stated simply as “sensational.” Pfeiffer stars alongside Lucas Hedges, with Valarie Maheffey (nominated for a Spirit Award in her Supporting Role), Imogen Poots, Danielle MacDonald, Susan Coyne and Isaach deBankole. It was written by renowned novelist Patrick deWitt (The Sisters Brothers), based on his international best selling novel of the same name.
Azazel wrote and directed “The Lovers” for A24, which opened domestically to critical acclaim and leading specialty box office on May 5th, 2017. Starring Debra Winger and Tracy Letts, his screenplay was nominated for a 2018 Independent Spirit Award. In 2024, an official remake of The Lovers, “Do Aur Do Pyaar”, told from a different perspective and different culture, was released in theaters across India.
From 2014 to 2015, Azazel directed the two seasons of the ground-breaking SKY/HBO show, “Doll & Em”, in addition to serving as a writer and producer.
His film “Terri”, also written by Patrick deWitt, starring John C. Reilly leading an ensemble cast, premiered in competition at Sundance 2011 and in competition internationally at Locarno & the BFI London Film Festival’s “Film On The Square.” In addition to receiving the Youth Jury Award at Locarno, Terri garnered both Gotham and Spirit Award nominations (Acting & Screenplay).
Azazel’s award winning film “Momma’s Man” quickly became one of the most lauded films of the year after premiering at Sundance 2008. It landed on many “best of” lists, including Salon, Time Out NY, New York Post, Artforum, and Entertainment Weekly. Upon its domestic release by Kino International, Manohla Dargis declared it in the New York Times to be “independent film defined.”
Son of avant-garde filmmaker Ken Jacobs, Azazel was raised surrounded by important and innovative artists. He received his Bachelor’s in film from SUNY Purchase and his Master’s from the American Film Institute. Other notable credits include directing two episodes of the Facebook series Sorry For Your Loss starring Elizabeth Olsen, and three episodes of Amazon’s Golden Globe winning series Mozart in the Jungle, for which he was a consulting producer in its final season. His most recent television directing work is on two animated shows, “Fables”, a retelling of Aesop’s Fables narrated by Ricky Gervais, featuring characters voiced by such talent as Natasha Lyonne, JB Smoove, Jessie Reyes, Alexa Demie, Diljit Dosanjh and Jermaine Clement, and “Gossamer”, starring Thomasin McKenzie, Forrest Whitaker and Vera Farmiga. Both are in post production.