Daniel Kwan

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kwan’s creative journey began in the music video scene before expanding to feature films with Swiss Army Man (2016), starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe. This debut earned the duo the Directing Award at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. His collaboration with A24 deepened as they tackled absurdist comedy-dramas that defied conventional genre boundaries. In 2017, Kwan announced plans to write, direct, and produce a science-fiction film with partner Jonathan Wang and the Russo brothers, resulting in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Released in March 2022, the film starred Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, and Jamie Lee Curtis. It garnered widespread critical acclaim and became A24's highest-grossing release at the time. The project received 11 Academy Award nominations, more than any other film that year, and won seven. Prior to the ceremony, IGN calculated it had surpassed The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) as the most awarded film of all time.

In Their Own Story

The path from college students in Boston to Oscar winners was paved with specific creative milestones. Kwan and Scheinert met while studying film at Emerson College, graduating in 2010 and 2009 respectively. Their early work included directing Sunita Mani in the music video for "Turn Down for What." In 2018, Kwan co-founded We Direct Music Videos (W.D.M.V.), a global community committed to sustainable directorial labor practices. By 2016, they had pivoted to features with Swiss Army Man, which received positive reviews and the Sundance Directing Award. Their television work included directing episodes of Legion (Kwan only) and On Becoming a God in Central Florida (Scheinert only), as well as one episode of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew in 2024. In February 2024, their next feature was scheduled for June 12, 2026, but Universal Pictures delayed it after confirming Steven Spielberg's untitled Disclosure Day would release on that date.

Reader's Guide

For filmmakers and fans tracking the Daniels' trajectory with A24, understanding their partnership timeline is key. In 2022, they signed a first-look TV deal with A24 and a separate five-year film deal with Universal Pictures. That same year, both were named to the Time 100 Next list. Their next project involves producing a "high-concept comedy" written and potentially directed by Paul Dano for Universal Pictures. Reports indicate this film will begin shooting in Los Angeles in the summer of 2026 and star Matt Damon. Kwan's personal life also intersects with his work; he has been married to filmmaker and animator Kirsten Lepore since 2016, and they have one son together. He was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder after researching the condition for Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Did You Know?

• Daniel Kwan was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder after researching the condition for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
• Everything Everywhere All at Once received 11 Academy Award nominations, more than any other film in 2022, and won seven awards.
• IGN calculated that before the Oscars, Everything Everywhere All at Once had surpassed The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King as the most awarded film of all time.
• Kwan co-founded We Direct Music Videos (W.D.M.V.) in 2018 to promote sustainable directorial labor practices.
• Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert met while studying film at Emerson College in Boston.