“Few directors are as inventive at virtual reality (VR) storytelling as Ethan Shaftel”
– Forbes

I direct film, VR, immersive media, and interactive projects. My recent work includes the VR animated comedies GARGOYLE DOYLE (Winner of the Cristal for Best VR at Annecy 2024), AJAX ALL POWERFUL (premiered Venice 2020), and KAIJU CONFIDENTIAL (premiered Sundance 2019, Annie Award Nominee for Best VR). I designed and directed a room-scale STREET FIGHTER VR game for Red Bull, a room-sized 3D video installation for Nike, animated parade floats for Disneyland Tokyo, screen content for artists such as Rihanna, Beyonce and Jay Z, plus dozens of award-winning shorts, music videos, and a sci-fi feature.

In the interactive realm, I developed games for Hasbro and Fox as the founding creative director of a successful LA- based game startup, and oversaw post-production on an Emmy-nominated interactive experience for Netflix’s 13 REASONS WHY. Contact me at: