Hannah Pearl Utt

Hannah Pearl Utt is an American filmmaker and actress whose career has been marked by a rapid ascent from indie web series to acclaimed feature films. Born on February 22, 1987, Utt grew up in Santa Barbara, California, and initially enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles before transferring to New York University where she earned a bachelor’s degree from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, a program known for its interdisciplinary approach that likely nurtured her multifaceted creative ambitions. While at UCLA in the late 2000s, she first gained visibility by appearing in the student‑produced web series Dorm Life, an early indicator of her comfort both in front of and behind the camera. From 2015 to 2016, Utt expanded her repertoire by directing and starring in the Super Deluxe series Disengaged, co‑writing it with longtime collaborator Jen Tullock, a partnership that would prove pivotal in her subsequent projects. The duo previously teamed up on the short film Partners, reinforcing their shared comedic sensibility and collaborative synergy. Utt’s on‑screen experience also includes a brief role in the 2017 cult favorite Ingrid Goes West, showcasing her willingness to support emerging voices in contemporary cinema. Her feature directorial debut, Before You Know It, premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and earned her recognition as one of IndieWire’s “25 Female Filmmakers to Watch”; she co‑wrote the screenplay with Tullock and starred alongside Judith Light, Oona Yaffe, and Mandy Patinkin, delivering a nuanced blend of humor and pathos. In 2023, Utt continued her upward trajectory with Cora Bora, starring Meg Stalter, which debuted at the South by Southwest Film Festival and further cemented her reputation for crafting quirky, character‑driven narratives that resonate with both audiences and critics. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Utt remains an active and influential figure in the independent film community, consistently pushing creative boundaries while championing diverse storytelling.