Kyle Patrick Alvarez

Kyle Patrick Alvarez was an independent filmmaker who made waves at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival with the premiere of his quirky drama "C.O.G." Born and raised in South Florida, Alvarez always knew he wanted to make movies. He attended the University of Miami's film program, where he made several acclaimed short films that were well-received by both his peers as well as his professors. Instilled with the confidence he needed to make a career as a filmmaker, Alvarez packed his bags after graduation and moved to Los Angeles. He was lucky enough to land a job as Warren Beatty's assistant shortly after arriving. However, after a year of fetching coffee and running personal errands for the Hollywood icon, Alvarez decided he needed to quit in order to refocus on becoming a filmmaker. Two years later he had the script written for his debut feature, "Easier with Practice," and by the summer of 2008, had secured enough financing to begin shooting. Based on a 2006 GQ article about a lonely writer that engages in a romantic relationship over the phone, the film had its premiere at the 2009 CineVegas Film Festival and was universally lauded by critics. Alvarez's follow-up, 2013's "C.O.G." had the privilege of being the first film ever to be adapted from a David Sedaris short essay, and was equally well received after premiering at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The following year Alvarez directed the psychological thriller "The Stanford Experiment," co-written by Oscar winner Christopher McQuarrie and starring Billy Crudup. The film premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, further cementing Alvarez's status as a young filmmaker on the rise.