Carl Bessai
Biography
Carl Bessai is a Canadian film director and screenwriter born in 1966 in Edmonton, Alberta. He attended OCAD University and York University in Toronto, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. Bessai began his career directing documentary films before relocating to Vancouver to direct his debut feature film, Johnny, in 1999. Throughout his career, he has focused on low-budget independent features. His filmography includes projects such as Unnatural and Accidental, Repeaters, and Emile, which featured Ian McKellen and Deborah Kara Unger. He also directed Normal, starring Carrie-Anne Moss, for which he received a nomination for the Genie Award for Best Achievement in Direction. Bessai is a member of the Director’s Guild of Canada and the Writer’s Guild of Canada.
Career overview
Carl Bessai is a Canadian film director and screenwriter born in 1966 in Edmonton, Alberta. He pursued his education at OCAD University and York University in Toronto, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. Bessai began his professional career directing documentary films before relocating to Vancouver. In 1999, he directed his debut feature film titled Johnny.
Throughout his career, Bessai has focused on producing low-budget independent features. His filmography includes directing credits for projects such as Unnatural and Accidental, released in 2006, and Repeaters, released in 2010. He has collaborated with various notable actors, including Ian McKellen and Deborah Kara Unger on the film Emile, as well as Carrie-Anne Moss on the film Normal. For his work on Normal, which was released in 2007, Bessai received a nomination for the Genie Award for Best Achievement in Direction. He maintains professional memberships with the Director’s Guild of Canada and the Writer’s Guild of Canada.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
62 titles- Waltz for the Dead Clown (2026) Production Manager
- Field Sketches (2025) Director
- Field Sketches (2025) Writer
- Field Sketches (2025) Producer
- Field Sketches (2025) Cinematography
- 4 or 5 things I want you to know about me (an essay) (2025) Director
- 4 or 5 things I want you to know about me (an essay) (2025) Writer
- WAR TIMES (2024) Production Supervisor
- Evelyne (2021) as Gary
- Evelyne (2021) Director
- Evelyne (2021) Writer
- Evelyne (2021) Producer
- Evelyne (2021) Cinematography
- Evelyne (2021) Editor
- Kreuzberg (2018) Director
- The Lears (2017) Director
- The Lears (2017) Writer
- Ungodly Acts (2015) Director
- Rehearsal (2015) Writer
- Rehearsal (2015) Producer
- Rehearsal (2015) Director
- Mr. Miracle (2014) Director
- No Clue (2014) Director
- No Clue (2014) Co-Producer
- Bad City (2014) Director
- Bad City (2014) Director of Photography
- Embrace of the Vampire (2013) Director
- Repeaters (2011) Director
- Repeaters (2011) Director of Photography
- Sisters & Brothers (2011) Director
- Sisters & Brothers (2011) Writer
- Sisters & Brothers (2011) Producer
- Sisters & Brothers (2011) Director of Photography
- Hiccups (2010) Director
- Fathers & Sons (2010) Director
- Fathers & Sons (2010) Writer
- Fathers & Sons (2010) Producer
- Fathers & Sons (2010) Cinematography
- Fathers and Sons (2010) Director
- Fathers and Sons (2010) Writer
- Gloves of Stone (2009) Writer
- Cole (2009) Director
- Mothers & Daughters (2008) as Documentary Filmmaker
- Mothers & Daughters (2008) Director
- A Charman Event (2008) Director
- Normal (2007) Director
- Normal (2007) Director of Photography
- Normal (2007) Producer
- Unnatural & Accidental (2006) Director
- Severed (2005) Director
- Severed (2005) Author
- Floored by Love (2005) Director of Photography
- Emile (2003) Director
- Emile (2003) Director of Photography
- Emile (2003) Writer
- Lola (2001) Director
- Out of Orbit: The Life and Times of Marshall McLuhan (1999) Director
- Johnny (1999) Writer
- Johnny (1999) Director
- Influence Director
- The Black Square
- T.U.R.D as Quarrell McHumphrey
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Carl Bessai best known for?
Carl Bessai is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Demon Seed (1977), Jim Knopf (1999), Mothers & Daughters (2008), Mothers & Daughters (2008).
When and where was Carl Bessai born?
Carl Bessai was born in Edmonton, Canada.
How many credits does Carl Bessai have?
Carl Bessai has accumulated over 62 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1999 to 2026.
What is Carl Bessai's background in cinema and television?
Carl Bessai is a Canadian film director and screenwriter born in 1966 in Edmonton, Alberta. He attended OCAD University and York University in Toronto, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. Bessai began his career directing documentary films before relocating to Vancouver to direct his debut feature film, Johnn...
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