Sam Arbor

Sam Arbor is a queer writer and director from Manchester.

His short film BABA won the Iris Prize 2021. The film will be distributed globally by the British Council as part of their Films for Freedom programme, and will be screened on Channel 4 in the UK. Age 16, he won the BFI's annual "most promising talent” award, with a prize of funding to make a short. The film, LIFELINE, played at international BAFTA/Oscar qualifying festivals around the world.

Sam assisted BAFTA winning director Euros Lyn (Broadchurch, Black Mirror, Happy Valley) on a major Netflix queer series, HEARTSTOPPER, where he directed second unit. Sam was Director’s Assistant on THE CROWN Season 5. He also directed Second Unit for the block.

Sam also writes and directs new plays. BUTTERFLY played at the VAULT Festival 2020, and received rave reviews. The Guardian reviewed it as "a queer kaleidoscope of charm, dark humour and vibrancy… a brilliant show full of heart”.