Russ Emanuel


Russell "Russ" Emanuel is an American director, producer, and independent filmmaker.
Emanuel founded Russem Productions, a Los Angeles based production company in 2002, through which he has produced and directed short and feature-length films.

Early life

Emanuel was born in San Francisco, California and grew up in both Japan and the United States.
Emanuel attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles with an emphasis in film studies, international relations, and Japanese.

Films

Emanuel's first films were shorts, including Her Knight and Girl with Gun. In 2007, Emanuel produced his first feature film, P.J.. Emanuel subsequently directed the feature film Chasing the Green, starring William Devane, and The Legends of Nethiah starring John Heard and Robert Picardo. His 2015 horror feature film Occupants, also starring Picardo and Briana White, screened at film festivals including Shriekfest 2016. He was recently inducted into the International Indie Filmmakers Hall of Fame for the year 2025. The International Indie Filmmakers Hall of Fame recognizes and honors individuals who have shown significant contributions and achievements in their field, and an outstanding dedication to the independent filmmaking community as a whole.

Documentaries

Emanuel directed and produced the documentary film Restoration of Paradise, about the history of the Bolsa Chica wetlands, which has at different times been a Native American settlement, President Teddy Roosevelt's Gun Club, and a World War II home for artillery batteries. The documentary was narrated by Robert Picardo.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNote
2003The FailuresAssistant to Producer
2003Her KnightProducer, Director, Writer
2004The DiaryProducer
2005MavetProducer
2006Girl with GunProducer, Director
2007The RaptureAssociate Producer
2007Perfect RedProducer
2008Heaven's Messenger Producer, Director
2009Chasing the Green Director
2010Cult 11Producer - 4 episodes, Director - 2 episodes: "Nurse Janet's Happy Place", "Make-Up Time, Mr. President"
2012The Legends of NethiahDirector
2013The MeetingDirector, Editor - 2 episodes: "Tales from the Curbside: A Prairie Homeless Companion", "A Savage Meeting"
2014Restoration of ParadiseProducer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor
2015Alterverse Director
2017CollarProducer, Director
2018The Assassin's ApprenticeDirector
2018AllegedlyProducer
2018The MeetingDirector, Editor - 2 episodes: "A Not So Funny Meeting", "Meeting Clapit"
2019American Wisper Director
2020Lighter Than AirProducer
2020RoutineDirector
2022The Assassin's Apprentice 2: Silbadores of the Canary IslandsDirector
2024Apocalypse Death Party Producer, Director
2025QuarantineProducer, Director
2026Round the CornerProducer, Director