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Andrew DeYoung (director)

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Andrew DeYoung
DeYoung in 2024
Born1981–1982
EducationCalifornia State University, Northridge
OccupationsDirector, screenwriter, producer
Years active2009–present

Andrew DeYoung is an American director, screenwriter, and producer. His television directorial credits include episodes of series such as Shrill (2019–2021), Pen15 (2019–2021), Our Flag Means Death (2022–2023), and The Chair Company (2025–present).[1] DeYoung co-wrote and directed the variety special Would It Kill You to Laugh?, for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.[2] His frequent collaborators include Kate Berlant, John Early, and Tim Robinson.[3]

In 2024, DeYoung wrote and directed his feature film debut, Friendship, which was nominated for a Critics' Choice Award and an Independent Spirit Award.[4][5]

Early life and education

DeYoung was born in 1981 or 1982,[6] and raised in Fresno, California.[7] He studied screenwriting at California State University, Northridge and graduated in 2005.[8]

DeYoung is inspired by filmmaker Terrence Malick,[9] who wrote a heartwarming letter to DeYoung before Friendship's SXSW premiere.[10]

Career

DeYoung began his directing career after college, and met comedians John Early and Kate Berlant in improv classes.[3] He directed Early and Berlant in the short film Santa Monica and the Emmy-nominated special Would It Kill You to Laugh?.[2] DeYoung continued directing episodes of various comedic television series.[11]

DeYoung thought of the idea for Friendship after a negative experience with a colleague.[12][13] DeYoung decided on casting his friend Tim Robinson while writing the film's screenplay,[14] whom he had first met at the wedding of Conner O'Malley and Aidy Bryant, the former of which also appears in Friendship.[15] The film was shot in Yonkers, New York, with actors Kate Mara and Paul Rudd joining the main cast.[16][17] The film premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 and was the second runner up for the People's Choice Award: Midnight Madness.[18] A24 acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film,[19] and the film was theatrically released on May 9, 2025.[20] It was positively reviewed and went on to be nominated for the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Comedy and the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.[4][5]

In 2025, DeYoung continuted his collaboration with Robinson by directing multiple episodes and serving as an executive producer on The Chair Company, starring and co-written by Robinson, with DeYoung's direction being positively reviewed by critics.[1][21]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Notes
2024 Friendship Also writer

Television

Year Title Notes
2016 John Glaser Loves Gear 10 episodes
2017 555 5 episodes
Man Seeking Woman 2 episodes
2018-2019 A.P. Bio 3 episodes
2019 The Other Two
2020 Dave
2019-2021 Shrill 6 episodes
Pen15
2021 Miracle Workers 3 episodes
2022 I Love That for You 2 episodes
Would It Kill You to Laugh? Starring Kate Berlant & John Early Television special
2022-2023 Our Flag Means Death 4 episodes
2024 The Decameron 2 episodes
2025 The Chair Company 5 episodes, also executive producer
2026 Widow's Bay 2 episodes

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Title Result
2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards Best First Screenplay Friendship Nominated
2017 Gotham Awards Breakthrough Series – Short Form 555 Nominated
2026 Breakthrough Comedy Series The Chair Company Nominated
2023 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special Would It Kill You to Laugh? Starring Kate Berlant & John Early Nominated
2026 Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series The Chair Company (for "Life Goes by Too F**king Fast, It Really Does.") Nominated

References

  1. Seale, Jack (2025-10-13). "The Chair Company review – an office rage comedy packed with massive, stupid laughs". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  2. VanArendonk, Kathryn (2022-06-27). "Welcome Back to John Early and Kate Berlant's Absurd Duet". Vulture. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  3. "Deep Dive with Andrew DeYoung". NoBudge. 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  4. Davis, Clayton (2025-12-05). "Critics Choice Awards Nominations: 'Sinners' Dominates With 17 Noms, Cynthia Erivo Snubbed for 'Wicked: For Good'". Variety. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  5. D'Alessandro, Anthony (2025-12-03). "Spirit Awards Nominations: 'Train Dreams', 'The Plague', 'Sorry, Baby', 'Twinless' & 'Peter Hujar's Day' In Best Feature Race". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  6. Molloy, Tim (2025-06-05). "Friendship Director Andrew DeYoung on the 'Primal' Comedy of Male Loneliness". www.moviemaker.com. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  7. "ANDREW DEYOUNG creator of A24's 'Friendship' reflects on growing up in Fresno's hardcore scene". lambgoat.com. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  8. Relations, University; University, Advancement © California State; Street, Northridge 18111 Nordhoff; Northridge; Us, CA 91330 Phone:677-1200 / Contact (2025-06-06). "Friendship Director Andrew DeYoung on the 'Primal' Comedy of Male Loneliness". California State University, Northridge. Retrieved 2025-12-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. Kolberg, Brad (2025-05-30). "In new film 'Friendship,' director Andrew DeYoung plumbs the depths of being buddies". WPR. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  10. Nevins, Jake (2025-03-20). "Director Andrew DeYoung on Terrence Malick, Marvel Fandom, and Male Loneliness". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  11. "Andrew DeYoung—Director—CHROMISTA". www.chromista.tv. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  12. Greene, Dan (2025-05-26). "Should Men Even Have Friends?". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  13. Gularte, Alejandra (2025-04-07). "Friendship Came Full Circle for Director Andrew DeYoung". Vulture. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  14. Graham, Adam. "Q&A: 'Friendship' director Andrew DeYoung talks working with Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  15. "We Relate: Andrew DeYoung on "Friendship" | Interviews | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. 2025-05-23. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  16. Lattanzio, Ryan (2025-05-09). "'Friendship' Director Andrew DeYoung on Shooting His Tim Robinson Cringe Comedy with 'High-Arthouse Aesthetics'". IndieWire. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  17. Grobar, Matt (2024-02-02). "Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd & Kate Mara Join 'Friendship' Comedy". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  18. Pond, Steve (2024-09-15). "'The Life of Chuck' Wins Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award". TheWrap. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  19. Jr, Mike Fleming (2024-09-16). "A24 Landing TIFF Title 'Friendship' For Mid-7 Figures". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  20. Zemler, Emily (2025-02-11). "Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd Want to Ruin Each Other's Lives in 'Friendship' Trailer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  21. "Tim Robinson Fanatics Will Love His Bonkers New Comedy". The Daily Beast. 2025-10-09. Retrieved 2025-12-06.