Directors Daniel Kwan And Daniel Scheinert Shine At The 95th Academy Awards

Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, known simply as the Daniels, were the biggest winners of the 95th Academy Awards on Sunday. Their film Everything Everywhere All at Once received seven awards, including Best Picture. Two other awards were bestowed directly to Kwan and Scheinert: Best Original Screenplay and Best Director, highlighting their remarkable talent and creativity.

Everything Everywhere All at Once is only the Daniels’ second full-length feature film, and their ascent in the film industry may just be beginning. Following their success, the duo signed an exclusive five-year deal with Universal in August 2022, indicating that they are poised for further achievements in the coming years. Here’s what you need to know about the pair and their journey to Oscar royalty.

Who Is Daniel Kwan?

Daniel Kwan was born on February 10, 1988, in Westborough, Massachusetts. In a 2017 interview, Kwan shared that his father played a significant role in sparking his interest in movies, exposing him to an eclectic range of films during his childhood. He fondly recalled, “When I was 4 or 5 years old, my favorite movies were Terminator 2 and Groundhog Day, the kind of movies that you probably wouldn’t understand when you were 4 years old.”

As a child, Kwan's mother, June, helped protect his creativity by homeschooling him for a couple of years. She had concerns about his writing abilities and wanted to nurture his talent. Kwan dabbled in various hobbies like music, karate, and Boy Scouts, but it was creating radio plays with friends that ignited his love for storytelling.

Despite his passion, Kwan struggled with confidence in his filmmaking abilities throughout high school. He often felt that he wouldn’t be good enough to make a living from it. He expressed, “I was pretty positive if I ever tried something like that, I would never be good enough to make money.”

Who Is Daniel Scheinert?

Daniel Scheinert was born on June 7, 1987, in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended local schools, including Oak Mountain elementary and Shades Valley High School. Scheinert’s parents, Ken and Becky, supported his creative interests from an early age, encouraging him and his brother to participate in competitions like Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination.

His passion for film grew from watching his brother create films and episodes for a public access television show. During high school, Scheinert interned at the Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham, where he gained valuable experience while creating films with friends.

How Did the Daniels Meet?

Scheinert and Kwan crossed paths as students at Boston’s Emerson College in 2008. Kwan had transferred from the University of Connecticut, where he studied accounting for a year before realizing his true passion lay in filmmaking. He was uncertain about the type of movies he wanted to create.

Unlike Kwan, Scheinert had a background in musical theater and improv comedy, which gave him confidence in his artistic vision. He declared to his classmates, “I want to make dramas that make you laugh and comedies that make you cry.” Their collaboration began in 2009 when they worked as counselors at a New York Film Academy summer camp.

During this time, they created a short film called Swingers, which featured a playful twist on a swing set mishap that led to them swapping facial features. The film became a Vimeo staff pick, garnering over 109,000 views. Their next short film, Tides of the Heart, also gained popularity online, marking the beginning of their creative partnership.

What Else Have the Daniels Done?

Before achieving acclaim as feature directors, the Daniels made their mark in the music video industry. They directed videos for artists like Foster the People, Tenacious D, The Shins, and FM Belfast. Their breakthrough hit was the music video for DJ Snake and Lil Jon’s 2013 dance track “Turn Down for What,” which has amassed over 1.1 billion views on YouTube and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video.

In addition to music videos, the duo has directed commercials for major brands such as Apple, Nike, Converse, and Levi’s. Their first full-length feature film, Swiss Army Man, released in 2016, stars Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe. The film tells the story of a man stranded on a deserted island who befriends a corpse, embarking on a journey of friendship and self-discovery.

With a unique blend of creativity and storytelling, Kwan and Scheinert have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with in the film industry. Their continued success at the Academy Awards and beyond highlights their dedication to pushing the boundaries of filmmaking.