Keith Spiegel's academic and professional journey began at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, where he embarked on a creative partnership with renowned filmmaker Darren Stein, co-creating his very first student film, "Jawbreaker", a groundbreaking project that served as the catalyst for a lifelong dedication to artistic expression and technical expertise.
Keith, in collaboration with his close friend and fellow student Oliver Robins, took the courageous and innovative step of organizing a student film festival at the University of Southern California, a highly respected institution celebrated for its rigorous academic programs and thriving creative community. The prestigious event, which garnered substantial attention and acclaim, featured a panel of distinguished judges, including the renowned directors Alan Parker and Anthony Perkins, who brought their wealth of experience and industry insight to the deliberation process. Amidst the numerous submissions received, a late-entry submission, "The Dirk Diggler Story", submitted by an 18-year-old Paul Thomas Anderson, a precociously talented individual, stood out and emerged victorious, serving as a testament to the young filmmaker's remarkable skill and immense potential.
Keith's academic journey at Brown University was marked by a distinguished appointment as the Program Director of "University Network", a groundbreaking national college television network founded by his esteemed classmate, the accomplished filmmaker Doug Liman. This visionary project was made possible by a substantial grant secured by Liman from CBS, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to secure significant funding for innovative ventures.
Following the culmination of his formal academic pursuits, Keith made the deliberate and informed decision to relocate to the idyllic state of Vermont, renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and charming rural landscapes.
There, he successfully secured a coveted position as a segment producer for the highly respected and acclaimed regional PBS magazine program "Points North", a prestigious and esteemed entity that showcases the very best of Vermont's culture, history, and natural environment.
Keith embarked on a diverse array of creative endeavors, with one notable project being the writing and directing of a comedy film titled "The Junior Defenders", which was subsequently released through the esteemed Warner Home Video. This remarkable production boasted an impressive cast, featuring the talented Ally Sheedy in a starring role, alongside narration provided by the renowned filmmaker John Waters, whose distinctive voice added a unique touch to the film. The movie's impressive lineup of notable appearances included those of Pauly Shore and Kevin Smith, whose comedic talents significantly contributed to the film's overall humor and appeal. Furthermore, Shoreline Entertainment was entrusted with handling the film's foreign sales, thereby ensuring its global reach and exposure to a wider audience.
Keith was a driving force behind the creation of the Slamdunk Film Festival in Park City, Utah, an event that enjoyed a six-year run, coinciding with the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. During its successful tenure, Slamdunk hosted the world premieres of two notable films, including the comedy "Pauly Shore is Dead" and the thought-provoking documentary "Kurt and Courtney", which sparked widespread debate and discussion among attendees. The festival also featured an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers, including acclaimed filmmakers such as Doug Liman, Janeane Garofalo, Allison Anders, George Hickenlooper, and Lloyd Kaufman, who shared their insights and expertise with the audience. The event attracted a diverse range of attendees, including prominent figures from the entertainment industry and beyond, including Sofia Coppola, Spike Jonze, and even former United States Vice-President Al Gore, who all came together to celebrate and discuss the art of filmmaking.
