Sara Sugarman facts for kids

Sara Sugarman (born on October 13, 1962) is a talented actress and filmmaker from Wales. She is known for directing movies like Disney's Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004) and Very Annie Mary (2001). She has also acted in films such as Dealers (1989) and Those Glory Glory Days (1983).

About Sara Sugarman

Early Life and Acting Beginnings

Sara Sugarman was born in Rhyl, Wales. When she was a teenager, she played in a punk band called The Fractures. This band was managed by a local musician named Mike Peters.

During this time, Sara also started acting. She played Jessica Samuels, a rebellious leader, in the children's TV show Grange Hill (1978–1979).

Education and Film Career

Sara moved to London to study acting. She attended the Arts Educational School and then the Barbara Speake Stage School. From 1986 to 1989, she studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). She was very good at acting and even won the Best Actress medal there.

In 1994, Sara decided to focus on filmmaking. She went to the Bournemouth Film School. There, she wrote and directed three short films. These films were very successful! They were nominated for a BAFTA award and a BAFTA CYMRU award. They also won 23 awards at different film festivals around the world.

Sara won the International Filmmaker's Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. She also won the HBO Filmmaker Prize at the HBO Comedy Festival. Plus, she received the Orange Prize for screenwriting.

Life in Los Angeles and Recent Work

By 2010, Sara Sugarman was living in Los Angeles. In 2012, she wrote and directed a British comedy film called Vinyl. This movie was based on a true story about the Welsh musician Mike Peters. He is from the band The Alarm. In 2004, Mike Peters released a song called "45 RPM" under a fake band name, "The Poppy Fields". Much of the Vinyl film was shot in Sara's hometown of Rhyl.

Sara Sugarman's Work

As a Filmmaker

Sara Sugarman has directed and written many films and TV shows.

• Midas Man (Coming soon; director)
• Save the Cinema (2022; director)
• House of Versace (2013; director)
• Vinyl (2012; writer, director)
• Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004; director)
• Very Annie Mary (2001; writer, director)
• Mad Cows (1999; director)

Film Appearances

Sara has also acted in several movies.

• Mr. Nice (2010)
• Anthrakitis (1998) (a short film)
• Dealers (1989)
• Straight to Hell (1987)
• Escape from Sobibor (1987) (TV movie)
• Sid and Nancy (1986)
• Those Glory Glory Days (1983)

Television Appearances

Here are some of the TV shows Sara has appeared in.

• Streetwise (1989-1991) as Angel
• A Very Peculiar Practice (1986)
• Happy Families (1985)
• Minder (1984)
• Juliet Bravo (1980)
• Grange Hill (1978–1979) as Jessica Samuels