Daniel J. Egbert is a Student Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and a semifinalist in the 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship. He is the 2021 recipient of the Richard P. Rogers Spirit Of Excellence Award For Directing presented by AFI Fest, and one of twelve filmmakers selected for the seventh annual CAA Moebius Showcase. Daniel’s first feature, THE WAYS OUR BODIES BURN, is in development—mentored by Eric Roth, produced by Thomas Mahoney. Originally from New York, Daniel left home at seventeen to join the United States Marine Corps Infantry. He served four deployments including both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars where he was wounded in combat. Daniel’s work explores loss of control, and how trauma complicates but beautifies the human experience—through themes of inadequacy, rage, and rebirth. Daniel earned an MFA in Directing from the AFI Conservatory. His second year films, ASHES and BIRTHDAY, were nominated for the KODAK/UFVF Excellence In Filmmaking Award. His thesis, CHORUS, was the AFI selection for the Yugo BAFTA Student Awards, garnered sixteen nominations and five wins, including six Oscar Qualifying selections.