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Azazel Jacobs
Azazel Jacobs
Azazel Jacobs
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Azazel Jacobs (born September 27, 1972)[1] is an American film director and screenwriter. His feature films include The GoodTimesKid (2005), Terri (2011), The Lovers (2017), French Exit (2020), and His Three Daughters (2023).

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

Jacobs grew up in a Jewish family in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan.[2] He is the son of experimental filmmaker Ken Jacobs.[3][4] He attended Bayard Rustin High School.[5] He received a bachelor's degree in film from SUNY Purchase and a master's degree from the AFI Conservatory.[6][7] As of 2011, Jacobs lives in Los Angeles.[5]

Career

[edit]

His feature The Goodtimeskid (2005), a micro-budget film, gained a cult following and was later re-released by KINO International. Jacobs' film Momma’s Man premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2008.[8] Upon its release by KINO International, The New York Times declared the film to be "Independent Film defined."[9] In 2011, Jacobs film Terri starring John C. Reilly, was written by Patrick deWitt, premiered in competition at Sundance and in competition internationally at Locarno & the BFI London Film Festival’s "Film On The Square."[5]

During 2014 and 2015, Jacobs directed the two seasons of the SKY/HBO show, Doll & Em. He also worked as a writer and producer. In 2017, Jacobs wrote and directed the film The Lovers which was released by A24 to top specialty box office.[10] The film starred Debra Winger, Tracy Letts, Melora Walters, and Aidan Gillen. Jacobs’ screenplay for The Lovers was nominated for a 2017 Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay. Jacobs produced the pilot of Cherries, written/directed by Diaz Jacobs, which premiered in the episodic section of Sundance 2018.[11]

Jacobs in 2017

In 2020, Jacobs’ film French Exit had its world premiere as the closing night film for the New York Film Festival. The film is based on a novel of the same name by Patrick deWitt and stars Michelle Pfeiffer alongside Lucas Hedges, Tracy Letts, Imogen Poots, Danielle McDonald, Isaach de Bankole, Valerie Mahaffey, Susan Coyne and Daniel Di Tomasso. Pfeiffer plays Francis Price, which Variety called "a role for which she'll be remembered."[12] It was nominated for multiple awards,[13] including a 2021 Golden Globe,[14] and won Best Actress from the Canadian Screen Awards.[15] The film was released theatrically by Sony Pictures Classics on February 12, 2021, and internationally by Sony Pictures Worldwide on March 18, 2021. French Exit was selected for the 71st Berlin Film Festival in Berlinale Special Gala, having its European premier on June 12, 2021.[16]

Azazel Jacobs latest film, His Three Daughters, had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival where it was purchased by Netflix in a world wide deal for a 2024 release. The film — which he wrote, directed, edited, and produced — stars Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen and Carrie Coon in performances that have been widely hailed as amongst their best.

Azazel Jacobs appeared on Marc Maron's podcast, WTF with Marc Maron, on March 29, 2021, speaking about art films, The Clash, Mad magazine, and his movies Terri, The Lovers and French Exit. Jacobs directed two episodes of the Facebook series Sorry For Your Loss starring Elizabeth Olsen, and three episodes of Amazon's Mozart in the Jungle, for which he was a consulting producer in its final season.[17]

On April 19, 2024, an official remake of The Lovers, “Do Aur Do Pyaar”, told from a different perspective and different culture, was released in theaters across India. This production also marks the first remake of an A24 film.

Filmography

[edit]

Films

[edit]
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes Ref.
1997 Kirk and Kerry Yes No No Short film
1999 Danger 44 Yes No No Short film
2000 Dear Mexico Yes No No Short film
2002 Message Machine Yes No No Short film
2003 Oh Wee! Yes No No Short film
2003 Nobody Needs to Know Yes Yes Yes Feature film debut [18]
2005 The GoodTimesKid Yes Yes No [19]
2008 Momma's Man Yes Yes No [20]
2011 Terri Yes Yes No [21]
2017 The Lovers Yes Yes No [22]
2020 French Exit Yes No Executive [23]
2023 His Three Daughters Yes Yes Yes [24]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Director Writer Producer Network Notes Ref.
2013–2015 Doll & Em Yes Yes Co-Producer Sky Atlantic / HBO 12 episodes [25]
2016–2018 Mozart in the Jungle Yes No Consulting Amazon Prime Video 3 episodes [26]
2018–2019 Sorry for Your Loss Yes No No Facebook Watch 2 episodes [27]
2025 The Better Sister Yes No No Amazon Prime Video 1 episode [28]

Recognition

[edit]

In 2012, CinemaScope magazine cited Azazel as one of the 50 Best Directors Under 50.[29]

Azazel Jacobs was invited to join The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on June 26th, 2025.[30]

Azazel visited the Criterion Collection on November 6th, 2024. He selected The Exterminating Angel (Luis Buñuel), Hobson’s Choice (David Lean), La vie de Bohème (Aki Kaurismäki), La Ciénaga (Lucrecia Martel), Girlfriends (Claudia Weill), Tōtem (Lila Avilés), Miracle in Milan (Vittorio De Sica), The Breakfast Club (John Hughes), and Pandora’s Box (G.W. Pabst). [31]

Azazel was honored with the 2025 SUNY Purchase Alumni Association Honoree for Outstanding Commitment to the Arts, in recognition of his contributions to film and the creative arts community.[32]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Association Category Project Result Ref.
1997 Slamdance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for Best Dramatic Short Kirk and Kerry Won [33]
2008 Off Plus Camera Kraków Film Award Momma's Man Won [34]
Torino Film Festival Best Feature Film Prize Nominated
Deauville Film Festival Grand Special Prize Nominated [35]
IndieLisboa International Independent Film Festival FIPRESCI Award Won [36]
Distribution Award Won [37]
Viennale Reader Jury of the "Standard" Won [38]
2009 CPH PIX Politiken's Audience Award Nominated [39]
2011 Deauville Film Festival Grand Special Prize Terri Nominated [40]
Gijón International Film Festival FIPRESCI Award Won [41]
Locarno Film Festival Junior Jury Award 3rd Place [42]
Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize Nominated [43]
Sarasota Film Festival Narrative Feature Jury Prize Nominated [44]
2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards Best Screenplay The Lovers Nominated [45]
London Film Festival Official Competition Nominated
2024 Gotham Awards Best Screenplay His Three Daughters Won [46]
Indiana Film Journalists Association Best Original Screenplay Nominated [47]
Best Ensemble Acting Won [48]
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards Sierra Award, Best Original Screenplay Nominated [49]
National Board of Review NBR Award Top Ten Independent Films Won [50]
Online Association of Female Film Critics Best Original Screenplay Nominated [51]
Rosie Award Nominated [52]
San Francisco Film Awards Honors Award Won [53]
Seattle Film Critics Society SFCS Award for Best Ensemble Nominated [54]
St. Louis Film Critics Association SLFCA Award Special Merit (for best scene, cinematic technique or other memorable aspect or moment), Dad's chair Nominated [55]
VHS Awards Best Original Screenplay Nominated
Best Ensemble Cast 2nd Place
2025 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards Best Intergenerational Film Nominated [56]
Best Ensemble Nominated [57]
Chlotrudis Awards Best Original Screenplay Nominated [58]
Best Movie Nominated [59]
Best Performance by an Ensemble Cast Won [60]
Columbus Film Critics Association Best Overlooked Film Nominated [61]
Film Independent Spirit Awards Robert Altman Award Won [62]
Utah Film Critics Association Awards Best Screenplay Won [63]
Best Ensemble Cast 2nd Place [64]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Azazel Jacobs

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Azazel Jacobs (born September 27, 1972) is an American filmmaker and screenwriter renowned for his intimate, character-driven independent films that delve into themes of family, identity, and emotional complexity. Raised in a Jewish family in , he was the son of experimental filmmaker and artist Flo Jacobs, both of whom died in 2025, growing up surrounded by influential artists in New York's avant-garde scene. Jacobs pursued formal film education, earning a from the at Purchase in 1994 and a master's from the Conservatory. Jacobs's career began with short films and evolved into feature directing, debuting with the black-and-white drama Nobody Needs to Know (2003), followed by The GoodTimesKid (2005), a semi-autobiographical that premiered at festivals and received theatrical release in 2007. His breakthrough came with Momma's Man (2008), a Sundance exploring a man's reluctance to , starring his parents Ken and Flo Jacobs, which earned widespread critical praise for its raw emotional depth. The film solidified his reputation in the indie circuit, leading to recognition in outlets like Filmmaker magazine's "25 Faces of " (2007) and MovieMaker's "Ten Directors to Watch" (2008). Subsequent works expanded his scope, with Terri (2011), a starring and , nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and praised for its sensitive portrayal of adolescence. Jacobs ventured into television, co-writing and directing the HBO series (2013–2015), a meta-comedy about in the entertainment industry. His features The Lovers (2017), a dramedy with and nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay, and French Exit (2020), adapted from Patrick deWitt's novel and starring , further showcased his skill in blending humor with pathos. Jacobs's recent projects include the film (2023), a Netflix drama featuring Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen as estranged sisters reuniting for their father's final days, which premiered at the to acclaim and won Best Screenplay at the 2024 as well as the Robert Altman Award at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards, and directing an episode of the series The Better Sister (2025). Now based in , Jacobs continues to draw from personal experiences, emphasizing collaborative storytelling in his evolving body of work that has earned him a place among contemporary indie cinema's most insightful voices.

Early Life and Education

Family and Upbringing

Azazel Jacobs was born on September 27, 1972, in , , to a Jewish family. He grew up in the neighborhood of , in a rent-controlled loft that served as both home and creative studio for his artist parents. Jacobs' father, , was a pioneering experimental filmmaker known for avant-garde works that challenged conventional narrative and perception, such as his early shadow plays and films exploring optical illusions. This environment provided Azazel with early immersion in non-commercial cinema; as a child, he and his sister Nisi Ariana participated in their parents' 3D shadow play performances, which were improvised due to limited resources for traditional filmmaking. A notable example of family collaboration appears in ' 1976 short film Spaghetti Aza, which captures the four-year-old Azazel asleep at the dinner table before being carried to bed by his mother, Florence "Flo" Jacobs, a painter whose artistic influence complemented the household's creative ethos. The Jacobs family, while Jewish, maintained a secular household focused on intellectual and moral discussions rather than religious observance, with influences drawn from Jewish comedians like and through their parents' artistic lens. Azazel has described growing up surrounded by Jewish neighbors in the loft, initially perceiving as the societal majority, which subtly shaped his sense of amid the bohemian chaos of 1970s and 1980s . At age 13, instead of a traditional bar mitzvah, he watched Claude Lanzmann's documentary Shoah with his parents, an experience that underscored the family's emphasis on honest expression and ethical inquiry over ritual. This upbringing in an artistic enclave, marked by constant exposure to experimental media and familial creativity, laid the groundwork for Jacobs' later directorial pursuits.

Academic Training

Azazel Jacobs earned a in film from the School of Film and Performing Arts at SUNY Purchase College in 1995. The program, renowned for its emphasis on experimental and independent filmmaking, provided Jacobs with foundational training in narrative and avant-garde techniques, shaped by the institution's collaborative environment. Motivated by his family's artistic legacy, including his father ' pioneering work in experimental cinema, Jacobs pursued advanced studies in directing at the , where he received a degree in 2001. The conservatory's rigorous curriculum focused on practical , including script development, production, and , immersing students in hands-on projects that honed their directorial vision. During his time at SUNY Purchase, Jacobs created early short films that hinted at his emerging style of intimate, character-focused narratives exploring relational tensions. His senior thesis project, the 1997 short Kirk and Kerry, featured a real-life couple navigating personal conflicts and won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Dramatic Short at the 1997 , showcasing his ability to blend documentary elements with scripted drama. At the , he directed additional shorts such as Danger 44 (1999) and Dear Mexico (2000), which delved into themes of isolation and cross-cultural encounters through minimalist storytelling and non-professional actors, foreshadowing the awkward intimacy in his later features. His AFI thesis film, Oh Wee! (2003), further examined the absurdities of commercial shoots, blending satire with observational humor. In recognition of his enduring impact on cinema, Jacobs was named the 2025 SUNY Purchase Alumni Association Honoree for Outstanding Commitment to Award, announced on April 16, 2025. The honor celebrates his contributions to and cinematic artistry, including acclaimed works like Terri (2011) and (2023), which premiered at the and earned awards such as Best Screenplay at the .

Career

Independent Beginnings

Azazel Jacobs began his filmmaking career with the short film Kirk and Kerry in 1997, which served as his thesis project at SUNY Purchase. The film, featuring actors Kirk Acevedo and Kerry Johnson as a dysfunctional couple, premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival, where it shared the Jury Prize for Best Short with Paul Benz's Three Minutes. It also received the Grand Jury Prize for Best Dramatic Short, marking Jacobs' early recognition in the independent film circuit. Jacobs' next project, Nobody Needs to Know (2003), was his debut feature, blending conventional narrative with experimental elements influenced by his father, avant-garde filmmaker . Shot in black-and-white, the film interweaves four strands of New York life, focusing on themes of and off-screen power, and had its world premiere at the . Despite being rejected from Slamdance, it showcased Jacobs' willingness to experiment with structure and form on a modest budget. In 2005, Jacobs directed his second feature, The GoodTimesKid, a minimalist comedy-drama produced for approximately $10,000 with a small crew and improvised script in a style. The film follows two men and a woman in an absurdist urban entanglement, reflecting production challenges like limited resources and DIY rebellion, yet earning praise for its charm and offbeat humor at festivals including the Brooklyn Film Festival. Its limited 2007 release highlighted Jacobs' resourcefulness in capturing intimate, low-stakes narratives. Jacobs' third feature, Momma's Man (2008), premiered in the Spectrum section of the , drawing on autobiographical elements by casting his real parents, Flo and Ken Jacobs, in their actual New York loft as the protagonists' parents. The story centers on a man delaying his return home, blending humor and emotional depth to explore family dynamics and inertia. It won the Kraków Film Award at the Off Plus Camera Festival, solidifying Jacobs' reputation for personal, introspective indie filmmaking. From 1997 to 2008, Jacobs transitioned from experimental shorts rooted in his academic training to more narrative-driven features, consistently emphasizing low-budget innovation and familial influences in the indie scene.

Feature Film Milestones

Azazel Jacobs marked a significant step in his career with Terri (2011), a coming-of-age comedy-drama that delves into the challenges of , focusing on an teenager navigating and personal growth through unexpected friendships. The film stars in the titular role, with notable collaborations including as the compassionate vice principal Mr. Fitzgerald, who mentors the protagonist, and as a school bully whose interactions highlight themes of and redemption. Produced on a modest independent budget, Terri premiered at the , where it received praise for its authentic portrayal of misfits and earned an 88% approval rating on based on 59 reviews. Jacobs' next major feature, The Lovers (2017), examines marital infidelity and sudden rekindled passion in a long-dissatisfied couple on the verge of divorce, blending wry humor with emotional depth. The film features standout performances by as Mary and as Michael, both entangled in extramarital affairs until their own relationship reignites unexpectedly. Distributed by following its Film Festival premiere, The Lovers garnered critical acclaim, including a 3.5/4 star review from for its disciplined acting and subtle exploration of middle-aged reinvention, and earned Jacobs a nomination for Best Screenplay at the 33rd Independent Spirit Awards. In French Exit (2020), Jacobs adapted Patrick deWitt's 2018 novel of the same name, chronicling a faded socialite's eccentric exile to with her son and cat after exhausting her inheritance. delivers a tour-de-force performance as the irreverent Frances Price, supported by as her aimless son Malcolm, in a that critiques privilege and mortality with wit. The film served as the closing-night selection at the 58th and received a Golden Globe nomination for Pfeiffer in the Best Actress – Musical or Comedy category, reflecting its blend of eccentricity and emotional resonance amid a higher production scale than Jacobs' prior works. Jacobs' most recent feature, His Three Daughters (2023), portrays the strained reunion of three estranged sisters caring for their dying father in a confined New York apartment, emphasizing familial tensions, , and reconciliation. The ensemble cast includes as the uptight Katie, as the chaotic Rachel, and as the optimistic Christina, whose dynamics drive the film's intimate drama. Premiering at the International Film Festival's Platform section, the film was acquired by in October 2023 for worldwide distribution and won Jacobs the Best Screenplay award at the 34th in 2024, as well as the Award at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards, underscoring its sharp dialogue and emotional authenticity. Throughout these milestones, Jacobs' feature films demonstrate an evolution from low-budget independent productions, such as Terri's with a domestic gross under $1 million, to broader distribution platforms with increased financing and star power, as seen in French Exit's rollout and His Three Daughters' streaming deal, allowing for more ambitious storytelling while retaining his signature focus on relational intricacies.

Television Directing

Azazel Jacobs began directing for television in 2014, marking a shift from his independent feature films to episodic , which he described as an extension of his cinematic approach allowing for sustained character exploration within serialized formats. In interviews, Jacobs noted that television provided a collaborative outlet similar to but with the flexibility to delve deeper into interpersonal dynamics over multiple episodes, influenced by his prior work on intimate, character-driven narratives. Jacobs directed all 12 episodes across two seasons of the and mockumentary series (2013–2015), a British-American co-production that follows the real-life friendship of actors and as they navigate personal and professional tensions in a reality TV-style format. He also co-wrote the series, emphasizing its satirical take on Hollywood relationships and the between performance and authenticity, which aired six episodes per season and later received a 124-minute theatrical compilation cut. The show's aesthetic, blending with scripted dialogue, highlighted Jacobs' interest in observing human interactions under pressure. From 2016 to 2018, Jacobs directed three episodes of the series , immersing himself in the competitive world of a New York orchestra during seasons 3 and 4. These included "Symphony of Red Tape" (season 3, episode 6), which explores bureaucratic hurdles in the scene; "The Coach" (season 4, episode 3), focusing on mentorship and personal reinvention; and "We're Not Robots" (season 4, episode 7), culminating in a high-stakes . His contributions captured the series' blend of humor and drama in the orchestral milieu, drawing on his sensibility to heighten emotional undercurrents in ensemble scenes. Jacobs helmed two episodes of the drama (2018–2019), a series centered on and family recovery following a sudden death. These were "Welcome to Palm Springs" (season 1, episode 9), depicting protagonist Leigh Shaw's impulsive escape to process loss, and "Middle Finger, Thumbs Up" (season 2, episode 1), which confronts themes of moving forward amid confrontation. The episodes underscored the show's intimate portrayal of mourning, with Jacobs applying his nuanced handling of relational tensions to amplify the emotional realism of Elizabeth Olsen's lead performance. In 2025, Jacobs directed the episode "Gazpacho" (season 1, episode 4) of Video's limited thriller series The Better Sister, an eight-episode production adapted from Alafair Burke's novel about estranged sisters reuniting amid a family murder investigation. Released on May 29, 2025, the episode features a tense memorial scene that delves into conflicting memories and sibling dynamics, starring and , and reflects Jacobs' ongoing exploration of familial discord in a fast-paced serialized context.

Artistic Style and Themes

Directorial Techniques

Azazel Jacobs employs naturalistic dialogue in his films, drawing from real-life rhythms and conversations to create authentic character interactions, particularly in ensemble-driven narratives. This approach is evident in works like (2023), where the script's dialogue was inspired by the "theatrics of life," allowing actors to deliver lines with immediacy and emotional truth without extensive . While Jacobs adheres closely to written text during production, rehearsals emphasize refining delivery and physical mannerisms to enhance naturalism, as seen in the sisters' tense exchanges that capture unspoken familial tensions. His early association with aesthetics further underscores this technique, prioritizing unpolished, relatable speech over polished exposition in films featuring . Jacobs favors intimate, location-based shooting in confined urban environments, often utilizing New York apartments to heighten emotional and realism. In Momma's Man (2008), the action unfolds almost entirely within his parents' actual loft, leveraging the space's eccentricity to immerse viewers in a lived-in world. Similarly, His Three Daughters was filmed on 35mm in a single rent-controlled on Grand Street, with minimal transitions and bright lighting to transform the rooms into distinct emotional territories, such as the kitchen as a site of confrontation. This preference for on-location work minimizes artifice, allowing the to underscore character isolation and relational friction. The director's techniques reflect the influence of his father, experimental filmmaker , whom he adapts into narrative cinema through extended long takes and minimalist staging. Azazel incorporates his father's emphasis on presence and duration, as in the unhurried sequences of Momma's Man that prioritize character over rapid cuts, creating a meditative pace. This evolution from Ken's abstraction to Azazel's story-driven is apparent in Terri (2011), where sparse setups and prolonged shots reveal subtle psychological depths without overt dramatics. Jacobs' style has progressed from lo-fi digital video in his early features to more polished, higher-production values in recent projects. Films like The GoodTimesKid (2005) and Momma's Man embraced rough digital aesthetics for raw intimacy on tight budgets, aligning with indie constraints. By contrast, His Three Daughters marked a shift to 35mm film, enabling nuanced lighting and framing in its confined setting, achieved through nine months of pre-production collaboration with cinematographer Sam Levy. In directing actors, Jacobs draws on personal relationships and prior collaborations to foster trust and nuanced performances. For , he wrote roles specifically for , , and —actresses with whom he shares professional histories—treating them as co-filmmakers by sharing shot lists and equal creative stakes. Rehearsals focus on individual tailoring, such as capturing Lyonne's use of silence or Coon's subtle camera awareness, to elicit layered, authentic responses rooted in the actors' own interpretive insights. This relational approach extends to earlier works, like casting his parents in Momma's Man, blending with performance to achieve emotional authenticity.

Recurring Motifs

Azazel Jacobs' films frequently delve into family dynamics and interpersonal tensions, drawing heavily from autobiographical experiences to explore the complexities of parent-child relationships and generational conflicts. In Momma's Man (2008), Jacobs casts his real-life parents, experimental filmmaker and artist Flo Jacobs, as the protagonists' parents, setting the story in their actual loft to depict a grown son's regression to childhood amid emotional stagnation. This semi-autobiographical approach highlights the push-pull of familial bonds, where nostalgia clashes with adult responsibilities. Similarly, (2023) portrays three estranged sisters reuniting in a New York apartment to care for their dying father, inspired by Jacobs' own experiences caregiving for his aging parents, emphasizing unresolved resentments and the fragility of sibling ties. Jacobs' oeuvre often examines middle-class , , and within urban settings, capturing the quiet despair of contemporary relationships. The Lovers (2017) centers on a long-married couple in a loveless routine who inadvertently rekindle their passion while conducting separate affairs, underscoring the monotony and betrayal inherent in suburban-adjacent New York lives. Across his work, characters grapple with paralysis and a lack of to mature, reflecting broader middle-class ennui in confined city environments, as seen in the aimless protagonists of Terri (2011) and the regressive tendencies in Momma's Man. Jewish identity subtly permeates Jacobs' character portrayals, informed by his upbringing in a Jewish family in Manhattan's neighborhood, where cultural nuances of New York Jewish life infuse familial interactions without overt declaration. Films like evoke the unspoken ethnic textures of urban Jewish households through rituals of grief and reconciliation, drawing from Jacobs' personal heritage. Jacobs' thematic concerns reflect influences from indie filmmakers such as and the early New York cinema scene, blending wry domestic comedy with experimental intimacy akin to Baumbach's neurotic family portraits and the underground ethos of his father . Critics have praised these motifs for their honest portrayal of human absurdity, with ranking Jacobs among the 50 Best Directors Under 50 in 2012 for his tender exploration of relational absurdities and growth dilemmas.

Filmography and Recognition

Feature Films

Azazel Jacobs has directed seven feature films to date, spanning from 2003 to 2023, marking his transition from independent experimental work to more widely distributed productions.
YearTitleRolesKey CastRuntimeProduction Notes
2003Nobody Needs to KnowWriter, director, Liz Stauber, Alvin Seme, Matt Boren96 minutesPremiered at the ; limited festival screenings.
2005The GoodTimesKidWriter, director, editor, actorAzazel Jacobs, , Sara Diaz77 minutesPremiered at the AFI FEST in ; distributed by Benten Films on DVD.
2008Momma's ManWriter, directorMatt Boren, , Flo Jacobs, 94 minutesWorld premiered at the ; U.S. distribution by .
2011TerriDirectorJacob Wysocki, , Olivia Crocicchia, Bridger Zadina, 105 minutesPremiered at the ; U.S. distribution by ATO Pictures.
2017The LoversWriter, director, , , , 97 minutesPremiered at the Film Festival; distributed by A24.
2020French ExitDirector, adapter, , , Danielle Macdonald, 113 minutesWorld premiered as closing night film at the ; U.S. distribution by .
2023Writer, director, , , 101 minutesPremiered at the ; worldwide distribution acquired by .

Television Episodes

Azazel Jacobs has directed a total of 18 television episodes across four series, spanning comedy, drama, and thriller genres on platforms including and .

Doll & Em (HBO, 2014–2015)

This improvised comedy series, co-created by Jacobs with stars and , follows the professional and personal lives of two actress friends in and . Jacobs directed all 12 episodes across two seasons of six episodes each, including the pilot "Doll & Em."
  • Season 1 (2014): Episodes 1–6, including "" (pilot).
  • Season 2 (2015): Episodes 1–6, including "Episode #2.1" and "Episode #2.6."

(, 2016–2018)

This Golden Globe-winning -drama chronicles the New York Symphony orchestra's inner workings and the life of its impulsive Rodrigo. Jacobs directed three episodes in seasons 3 and 4, serving as a consulting producer in the final season.
  • Season 3, Episode 10: "Symphony of Red Tape" (December 9, 2016).
  • Season 4, Episode 7: "The Coach" (February 16, 2018).
  • Season 4, Episode 10: "We're Not Robots" (February 16, 2018).

(Facebook Watch, 2018–2019)

This drama series explores grief and family dynamics following the sudden death of a young woman's husband, starring . Jacobs directed two episodes across the two seasons.
  • Season 1, Episode 9: "Welcome to Palm Springs" (October 9, 2018).
  • Season 2, Episode 1: "Middle Finger, Thumbs Up" (October 1, 2019).

The Better Sister (Amazon Prime Video, 2025)

This thriller miniseries, adapted from Alafair Burke's , centers on estranged sisters reuniting after a murder, starring and . Jacobs directed one .
  • Episode 4: "Gazpacho" (2025).

Awards and Honors

Azazel Jacobs received his first major award in 1997 when his Kirk and Kerry won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Dramatic Short at the . In 2007, Jacobs was named one of Filmmaker magazine's 25 Faces of . In 2008, he was selected for MovieMaker magazine's Ten Directors to Watch. In 2008, his feature debut Momma's Man earned the Film Award at the Off Plus Camera Independent Film Festival in . Jacobs was honored in 2012 by Cinema Scope magazine as one of the 50 Best Filmmakers Under 50, recognizing his emerging contributions to independent cinema. For his 2017 film The Lovers, Jacobs received a nomination for Best Screenplay at the 33rd Film Independent Spirit Awards in 2018. In 2021, his adaptation French Exit garnered a Golden Globe nomination for in the category of Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Jacobs achieved significant recognition in 2024 with His Three Daughters, winning the Best Screenplay award at the 34th Gotham Awards. The following year, His Three Daughters won the Robert Altman Award at the 40th Film Independent Spirit Awards, shared with the film's ensemble cast and casting director Nicole Arbusto. The film also earned Jacobs a nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the 31st Chlotrudis Awards. Additional honors in 2025 included an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on June 26, as well as recognition as an Outstanding Commitment to the Arts honoree by the SUNY Purchase College Alumni Association. Personal award coverage for Jacobs prior to 2010 remains incomplete in public records, with early accolades primarily tied to festival wins rather than comprehensive industry honors.

References

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  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32260680/
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  15. https://watch.afi.com/talent/azazel-jacobs
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  20. https://variety.com/2003/film/reviews/nobody-needs-to-know-1200543402/
  21. https://iffr.com/en/iffr/2003/films/nobody-needs-to-know
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KKGFZzRr5Y
  23. https://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/film-detail?fid=597
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  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1122599/
  26. https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/momma-s-man-1200548638/
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  29. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/independent-spirit-award-nominations-full-list-2017-1057823/
  30. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/french-exit-film-review-nyff-2020-4074996/
  31. https://keeperpictures.ie/productions/french-exit/
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  33. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/his-three-daughters-release-date-photos-news
  34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ZdSdUHjDE
  35. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Terri
  36. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/French-Exit-%28UK%29
  37. https://www.popmatters.com/180168-azazel-jacobs-2495674563.html
  38. https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature/2014-03-24-azazel-jacobs-talks-about-doll-em-feature-story-by-anne-katrin-titze
  39. https://www.tribecafilm.com/news/racking-focus-azazel-jacobs-doll-and-em-hbo-series-emily-mortimer-dolly-wells
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5842036/
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7174214/
  42. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7257992/
  43. https://postperspective.com/french-exit-director-azazel-jacobs/
  44. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8539954/
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  46. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/thefilmuppodcast/episodes/96---Azazel-Jacobs---American-film-directo--Proejcts-include-Directing-Sorry-For-Your-Loss-starring-Elizabeth-Olsen--three-episodes-of-Amazons-Golden-Globe-winning-series-Mozart--and-more-e30kgpd
  47. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32769031/
  48. https://press.amazonmgmstudios.com/us/en/original-series/the-better-sister/1
  49. https://thefilmstage.com/his-three-daughters-director-azazel-jacobs-on-emotional-catharsis-why-he-cant-shoot-a-dying-scene-and-the-craft-of-acting/
  50. https://www.indiewire.com/news/general/the-goodtimesfilms-of-azazel-jacobs-134763/
  51. https://jonathanrosenbaum.net/2023/02/azazel-jacobs/
  52. https://filmmakermagazine.com/127287-interview-azazel-jacobs-his-three-daughters/
  53. https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/a-communication-with-light-azazel-jacobs-on-his-three-daughters
  54. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10009419-mommas_man
  55. https://www.indiewire.com/news/general/a-sense-of-family-in-mommas-man-219770/
  56. https://cinema-scope.com/cinema-scope-magazine/interviews-good-times-sad-times-azazel-jacobs-on-mommas-man/
  57. https://scriptmag.com/interviews-features/the-phases-of-character-development-with-his-three-daughters-writer-director-azazel-jacobs
  58. https://www.vox.com/summer-movies/2017/5/5/15508250/lovers-review-debra-winger-tracy-letts
  59. https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/05/the-lovers-is-a-strange-tale-of-matrimonial-harmony/525954/
  60. https://cinema-scope.com/cinema-scope-magazine/azazel-jacobs/
  61. https://www.jta.org/2010/05/11/ny/woody-allens-grandson-jerry-seinfelds-son
  62. https://www.thejc.com/life/azael-jacobs-on-his-three-daughters-iy2ls9qp
  63. https://defactofilmreviews.com/year-in-review-the-best-films-of-2024/
  64. https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/8/5/jay-kelly-trailer-george-clooney-and-adam-sandler-star-in-noah-baumbachs-potential-oscar-contender
  65. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0249846/
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  67. https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/the-goodtimeskid-1200520207/
  68. http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews47/the_goodtimeskid.htm
  69. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/kino-acquires-mommas-man-114763/
  70. https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/mommas-man/
  71. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1687281/
  72. https://variety.com/2011/film/features/coach-14-takes-terri-1118031017/
  73. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5770620/
  74. https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/the-lovers-review-debra-winger-1202393032/
  75. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5770620/companycredits/
  76. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10279362/
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  82. https://www.filmmakermagazine.com/85122-azazel-jacobs-on-his-new-series-with-emily-mortimer-and-dolly-wells-doll-and-em/
  83. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4235374/
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  87. https://wherever-i-look.com/tv-shows/sorry-for-your-loss-season-2-episode-1-middle-finger-thumbs-up-season-premiere-recap-review-with-spoilers
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  89. https://www.broadway-stages.com/newsletter-articles-uploads/2025/6/23/behind-the-scenes-of-prime-videos-hit-limited-series-the-better-sister
  90. https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/slamdance-endures-1117998555/
  91. http://www.krakowpost.com/1263/2009/04
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  95. https://thegotham.org/press/34th-gothams-winners/
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  97. https://chlotrudis.org/2025-31st-annual-awards/
  98. http://press.oscars.org/news/academy-invites-534-membership
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