Scott Monahan — Acting | Biography, Movies & Career

Biography

SCOTT MONAHAN is an international award-winning director, producer, and actor who started his career in Tokyo while his parents were stationed on Yokota Air Force Base from 1999 - 2006. He then studied theater at the Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia, before relocating to Los Angeles in 2011. He served as an Artistic Director of Play Collaborative Arts, and is a member of Ceaseless Fun, two of LA’s premier immersive, site-responsive theater collectives.

He directed, executive produced, and starred in his feature film directorial debut 'Anchorage'. The film won eleven awards and ten nominations including: the German Independence Award for Best Feature Film at the 2021 Oldenburg International Film Festival, Audience Award for Best Feature at the 2022 Mammoth Film Festival, and Best Feature Film at the 2022 Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival. He played supporting roles two feature films Sour Party, and Uppercut which both had theatrical releases in 2025.

Monahan has been notably transparent about the making of Anchorage, sharing his experience self-funding the project through personal means and navigating distribution without traditional backing. In interviews and numerous podcasts—including No Film School, First Time Go, Show Don’t Tell, and more—he’s offered candid insights into low budget filmmaking, organizing an international theatrical tour, and building momentum through grassroots efforts. His clarity and authenticity during Q&As and public talks have made him a compelling voice for emerging filmmakers navigating the independent space.