Curtis Matzke

Curtis Matzke is an Emmy-nominated director, screenwriter, and producer. As the founder of Unfurnished Films, Curtis has contributed to numerous short films, documentaries, and micro-budget features. His work has been recognized at dozens of film festivals, including Cinequest, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, and Chicago International. He is the recipient of a professional development grant from the Illinois Arts Council and recently had a documentary project fiscally sponsored by Film Independent. He has also served as a judge for the Academy-qualifying Chicago Children’s International Film Festival and is a reader for the Austin Film Festival Writer’s Competition. This fall, Curtis will join a select group of international filmmakers in the Canary Islands, where they will be mentored by legendary director and producer Werner Herzog on their new short projects. Curtis holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Media Arts and Technology from Michigan State University with a concentration in Television, Cinema, and Radio, a minor in Film Studies, and a Specialization in Design.