Ariel Kleiman is an Australian director and filmmaker based in London. He is known for his first feature film, Partisan (2015) and the second season of the Star Wars television series Andor (2025).
Early life and education Ariel Kleiman was born to a Jewish family in Melbourne, Australia; his parents emigrated from Odesa, Ukraine, in the 1970s.The Jewish Journal: "Ariel Kleiman back at Sundance with feature debut, a dark drama" by Anthony Weiss 27 January 2015
He graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2010, where he studied film and television.Mitchell, Wendy. "Warp Films ramps up ambitious international slate", Screen Daily, 11 May 2011.
Works Kleiman's second-year film school film, Young Love, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010."Screen Australia Media Release" , Screen Australia, 1 February 2010. That same year it was showcased in McSweeney's's DVD quarterly, Wholphin.article, Wholphin, issue 11.
In May 2010 Kleiman's graduation film, Deeper Than Yesterday, premiered at Cannes Film Festival's, Semaine de la Critique.Griffin, Eleanore. "How Deep is Your Love?" , Oyster, 25 May 2010. In 2011, he shot his first commercial, called "Marked for Life", for the Dutch charity SIRE.
In 2015, Kleiman released a full-length film, Partisan, a thriller about child assassins,"Partisan review – Cassel shimmers with menace in single-minded thriller". The Guardian, Luke Buckmaster, 28 May 2015 which was meant to star American actor Oscar Isaac"Oscar Isaac Lands Lead in Writer-Director Ariel Kleiman's 'Partisan'". The Hollywood Reporter. but instead starred French actor Vincent Cassel.
Kleiman also directed the eighth episode of the Showtime drama series Yellowjackets, titled "Flight of the Bumblebee". Cast member Melanie Lynskey said "Flight of the Bumblebee" was her favorite episode to film because Kleiman allowed the cast to "play around" and improvise several scenes.
In 2022, Kleiman was announced as a director for numerous episodes of the second season of the Star Wars television series Andor. This season was released in 2025.
Awards and nominations Young Love was awarded an Honorable Mention in Short Film Making at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
In May 2010 Deeper Than Yesterday was awarded the Kodak Discovery Award For Best Short Film at Cannes. It went on to win best film prizes at over 20 film festivals, from Leeds to Beijing, including 2011 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize in International Filmmaking.Plante, Mike. "Rolling for Glory at the Shorts Awards" , Sundance Film Festival, 25 January 2011."Partisan director Ariel Kleiman’s brave new worlds". The Saturday Paper, 6 June 2015.
Also in 2010, Kleiman won the SOYA Qantas Spirit of Youth awardBlake, Elissa. "Winners: 2010 Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards" , Qantas, 1 January 2011. and Inside Film Rising Talent award.
In 2012 Kleiman's first feature film script won the Sundance Mahindra Global Filmmaking awardFernandez, Jay. "Sundance 2012: Institute Announces Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award Winners", The Hollywood Reporter, 24 January 2012. and was selected for the Sundance Directors & Writers Labs. The film was expected to begin production in 2013.
Personal life As of 2011, Kleiman was living in London.
Notes
References
External links