Person Biography:
Shawn Welling is a celebrated film director, choreographer, and visual storyteller known for his captivating blend of artistry, innovation, and relentless passion. His career spans across dance, film, and visual storytelling, earning accolades and recognition both in the U.S. and internationally.
Born with a passion for dance, Welling began his journey by choreographing and performing for major events such as the NBA Championship Games for the Houston Rockets in 1994, as well as NFL and NHL halftime shows. He opened Planet Funk Academy in Houston, Texas, a dance studio renowned for its innovative approach to movement.
In 2007, Welling transitioned to film, directing over 13 feature films, 30 short films, and two television web series. His work has garnered over 150 festival wins and amassed over 150 million downloadable views globally. He has directed an impressive array of actors, including Michael Biehn, Lee Majors, William Forsythe, Jake Busey, Les Twins, and Terry Kiser, among others.
Welling's early films garnered attention for their unique storytelling and bold artistic choices, with his first feature, House of Dreams, winning Gold and Platinum Remi Awards at the WorldFest International Film Festival. His second film, The Messenger: 360 Days of Bolivar, earned Best Feature Film of 2009 by Houston Press.
In 2011, Project Aether earned critical acclaim, winning several awards including Best Feature, Best Actor, and Best Overall World Premier. The film was praised for its mix of sci-fi, horror, and conspiracy theory genres. That same year, Welling premiered AXI: Avengers of Xtreme Illusions, a web series featuring famous dancers performing in surreal environments with a Twilight Zone-esque narrative style.
As a choreographer and dance ambassador, Welling's influence has spanned the globe. He has worked as a dance consultant for productions such as Disney's The Lion King and the Broadway hit Oliver!, and directed films with dance stars like Phillip Cheebeb, Brian Friedman, Les Twins, and I.AM.ME.
Welling has also spoken at numerous prestigious universities, including Texas A&M and California Polytechnic State University, and was a featured panelist at the International Wizard of Oz Club OzCon in 2015 for his docudrama Beyond the Yellow Brick Road.
In 2015, Welling's short film If I Could Talk became his most widely recognized and successful project, resonating with audiences worldwide due to its emotional and universally relatable story of a dog's perspective on life. The film was followed by two successful sequels, If I Could Run (2018) and If I Could Bark (2016).
Welling's feature films The Last Astronaut (2019) and Strange Bird (2017) further established him as a versatile filmmaker, with Strange Bird earning acting recognition for its star, Preslee Tucker. In 2015, Welling received the prestigious World of Dance Industry Award for Best Film Work in Dance at Avalon Hollywood Theatre.
As of 2021, Welling's career continues to flourish, with notable releases including the dark comedy The Great American Action Hero, starring Lee Majors and Jake Busey, as well as If I Could Ride, a coming-of-age film that has won over 60 festival awards.
Welling is married to Michelle Simmons, a talented Houston-based photographer, and they have two daughters: EmmaRain (born 2018) and LillySky (born 2021). Emmarain has already begun following in her father's footsteps, appearing in films such as Mission from Outer Space, where she won Best Actress at just five years old. Welling's career is a testament to the power of creativity and perseverance, with a diverse body of work that spans multiple mediums and genres.
