Ben Lear is an award-winning filmmaker and composer.He produced and directed THEY CALL US MONSTERS (2017), a feature documentary about juveniles facing life sentences, which premiered on PBS Independent Lens and won the audience award for its 2016-2017 season. His short film, BAD FOR THE BOATS (2017), premiered at the Academy Award-qualifying Palm Springs International Shortfest and continued to play in festivals around the country. He is currently in development on a number of film and TV projects, including his first narrative feature, THE GOLD COAT, which he is writing for Big Beach Films.Previously, Ben Lear wrote and performed in LILLIAN: A FOLK OPERA (2010), which premiered at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC and led to performances at TED and the UN. His original song, “Imaginary Friends,” made the Academy Award shortlist for Best Original Song in 2011.