Sydne Horton is a queer writer-director originally from the Midwest whose work explores identity, belonging, and the weird, wonderful mess of self-discovery. Her genre-bending films—equal parts horror, heart, and humor—have screened at Palm Springs ShortFest, Outfest, Aesthetica, and NewFest.

Her horror short META was featured in I Spit on Your Celluloid: The History of Women Directing Horror Films and exhibited at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture. Her latest coming-of-age comedy, Saturday Ritual, won the Audience Award at NewFest, was a jury contender at Palm Springs, and is headed to Cannes Film Festival as part of the 2025 American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase.

An alum of the Women in Film Directing Mentorship and the Emmys Television Academy Internship, Sydne is currently adapting Saturday Ritual into a feature—continuing her signature blend of sharp humor and heartfelt storytelling.