David Mandel, whose credits include directing five episodes of the HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm starring Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, has joined Green Dot Films for commercials and branded content. Mandel also earlier served as a writer and producer on Seinfeld from 1995 until the show’s conclusion in ’98.
In addition, Mandel wrote and produced the Sacha Baron-Cohen film comedy The Dictator (2012) alongside Alec Berg and Jeff Schaffer. His most recent writing and producing work is the HBO movie Clear History (2013), which stars Jon Hamm, Kate Hudson, and Larry David that premiered this month.
Mandel brings to Green Dot an affinity for scripted and improv-centric comedy. He was a key writer on Saturday Night Live from 1992-’95, a period which included working on a wide range of commercial parodies as well as such memorable skits as “Bill Clinton at McDonald’s.” Mandel’s subsequent work on Seinfeld earned multiple Emmy and Writers Guild of America (WGA) award nominations for writing–most notably for his work on the popular “Bizarro Jerry” episode–as well as a WGA award win for the episode “The Pool Guy”. He’s also written for The Simpsons and is an alumnus of The Harvard Lampoon.
Over the years, Mandel’s work has yielded multiple Emmy, WGA and Producers Guild of America award nominations.
“David Mandel has written and directed some of the funniest things I’ve seen from the last 15 years. He consistently creates the type of funny that hits your brain and belly at the same time,” said Darren Foldes, executive producer and head of sales at Green Dot Films. “That fact alone would be enough for Green Dot to be excited to represent him, but he has also shown his talent in a variety of media, successfully telling comedic stories of varying lengths, and has worked closely with many of the true comedic giants of our time.”
Mandel joins a Green Dot directorial roster that includes: Rebecca Baehler, Alain Briere, Mark Coppos, Richard Farmer (formerly of the directing team HAPPY), Rafael Fernandez, Kim Jacobs, Robert Jitzmark, Minivegas, Luc Schurgers (founder of Minivegas), Brent Thomas and Claire Thomas.
Utah Leaders and Locals Rally To Keep Sundance Film Festival In The State
With the 2025 Sundance Film Festival underway, Utah leaders, locals and longtime attendees are making a final push — one that could include paying millions of dollars — to keep the world-renowned film festival as its directors consider uprooting.
Thousands of festivalgoers affixed bright yellow stickers to their winter coats that read "Keep Sundance in Utah" in a last-ditch effort to convince festival leadership and state officials to keep it in Park City, its home of 41 years.
Gov. Spencer Cox said previously that Utah would not throw as much money at the festival as other states hoping to lure it away. Now his office is urging the Legislature to carve out $3 million for Sundance in the state budget, weeks before the independent film festival is expected to pick a home for the next decade.
It could retain a small presence in picturesque Park City and center itself in nearby Salt Lake City, or move to another finalist — Cincinnati, Ohio, or Boulder, Colorado — beginning in 2027.
"Sundance is Utah, and Utah is Sundance. You can't really separate those two," Cox said. "This is your home, and we desperately hope it will be your home forever."
Last year's festival generated about $132 million for the state of Utah, according to Sundance's 2024 economic impact report.
Festival Director Eugene Hernandez told reporters last week that they had not made a final decision. An announcement is expected this year by early spring.
Colorado is trying to further sweeten its offer. The state is considering legislation giving up to $34 million in tax incentives to film festivals like Sundance through 2036 — on top of the $1.5 million in funds already approved to lure the Utah festival to its neighboring... Read More