Filmmaker, Author, Publisher, Advocate & Ambassador 

Susan Sember, as a seasoned film director and producer, as well as a former litigation/entertainment and sports law attorney, is most recently associated as the Executive Producer and Film Director for “Beyond the Game”. See www.beyondthegamefilm.com. Since the inception of “Beyond the Game”, Susan has been called upon to present regarding an athlete’s transitions, the convergence of sports and film, and other contemporary sports, media, and entrepreneurial topics. As the film producer/director of “Beyond the Game”, Susan has also published four magazines, two in collaboration with an NBA-sanctioned publication. Her expertise and the film are further featured in the book, “Not Another Broke Athlete” by Shkira Singh & Don Padilla. Now, Susan is preparing to release her book, “Beyond the Game: The Official Film Companion”, which features her beautiful photographic and cinematographic perspective and captivating stories with the athletes and experts, in conjunction with the documentary. 

Susan has had her own film production company for over 25 years, and while previously practicing law for over 16 years, with her own firm for 10, she has successfully integrated her expertise from these professions and experiences into the art form she has uniquely developed. She is also the CEO/Founder of a unique premium publishing company incorporating the storytelling elements of both film and books. See www.throughpenandlens.com.

Susan has created, from concept to distribution, award-winning films, along with streaming and television programs that have traveled to over 50 countries. Susan, with a highly developed marketing expertise, has successfully partnered with numerous corporations, educational institutions, grant makers, and sponsors to effectively collaborate through innovative partnerships utilizing film and television as an effective platform for outreach, cause marketing, product placement, and branding. With a keen sense towards a sponsor’s/grant makers’ desire for maximum “eyeball exposure” on a project, Susan developed, along with government statisticians, a scientific based program to measure and monitor this aspect of her film projects’ return on investment, as well. Storytelling with the bottom line, whether it be fiscal or action-driven, is a finely tuned acumen for which she is called upon by studios, institutions, CEO’s, and nonprofit founders alike. 

Susan is a consummate strategist in her films’ art and the power of the story to unite, advocate, engage, and enlighten. Mastering the power of storytelling, Susan has coached filmmakers, trial attorneys, authors, public speakers, and entrepreneurs over the last 25-plus years to blend storyboarding, visualization, media, and skilled messaging into impactful, artistic, and business endeavors. 

Using cutting-edge and immersive camera technology, Susan’s production teams have equally established an industry reputation in humanitarian, sports, underwater, and nonfiction storytelling. As a producer and director, Susan has been asked frequently to appear as a panelist and documentary film presenter at such recognized film festivals as the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, the Sarasota Film Festival, and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Her films have been screened at eleven international film festivals. with sold-out audiences each time. Susan has also been invited three times to the United Nations to screen her films, noting their quality and cultural/societal importance. As a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) grant recipient, her film projects were featured on the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s website and the associated ocean documentaries distributed to museums and aquariums internationally. With a substantial “cult following” in the equestrian world (see VaqueroCollection.com), Susan has distributed her horse films, bathed in history and art, to the global community and has been a frequently requested speaker on the art of film related to the American West, and domestically and abroad regarding her filmmaking process. As a proven ambassador on her humanitarian and film projects, Susan has met with numerous heads of state, leaders of influence, and diplomats around the world, as well as being recognized by and receiving accolades from U.S. Dept of State and Dept of Defense members, Congressional and state representatives, U.S. Presidents, foreign embassies, and others. 

Additionally, through her substantial contacts in the professional sports arena, Susan brings numerous high-profile “A-list” athletes to her current film project, “Beyond the Game”, including those in the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, PGA, LPGA, NHL, and FIFPro. NASCAR, Formula One, the Olympics, and others. All appearing to share in their desire to give back, in support of the movement to inform, inspire, and engage, in particular, student athletes, these iconic athletes provide a powerful and positive platform to make a difference. Through her long career associations with educational institutions, Susan has gained the support of major universities and colleges for this film, along with their visible appearance and participation in “Beyond the Game” and film screening commitments. A Peer-to-Peer Education app has been tested and will also provide student athlete, pro athlete, and retired athlete content in accompaniment to the film in its audience engagement and outreach. This “Beyond the Game” educational initiative has been described as the “largest in the history of sports and education in our country.”  With “Beyond the Game” as the foundational film, the substantial vault of footage captured serves as a platform for multiple media releases.

Susan is a proud alumna of the University of Michigan, an active philanthropist, a supporter of the arts, and a resident of Malibu, California. Serving as a trustee of a ballet company, advocating for athletes’ and artists’ rights as a pro bono lawyer, mentoring and supporting young girls, as well as women in transition, in their career aspirations, and championing veterans’ causes are examples of her favorite volunteer activities. Susan’s precocious golden retriever, Annabella, (preceded by her golden retrievers, Murphy Blonde and Grace Kelly), stokes her never-ending passion for the breed and their service as companions, life’s teachers, and amusing creative muses. Annabella (Ch. Premiere’s Dancin’ Away with my Heart) is an AKC Champion in Conformation, an author ambassador, celebrity dog, Susan’s “pawsistant”, and fundraiser for reading dog therapy programs, children’s reading literacy, animal shelters, and golden retriever educational and charitable causes.

Susan and her life partner, John, are cinephiles, sports enthusiasts, global explorers, conservationists, family-committed, and passionate about living a creative and curious life.

For Susan Sember’s featured film project, referenced above, please visit www.beyondthegamefilm.com, and for her western genre films at www.vaquerocollection.com. Susan’s publishing company is at ThroughPenandLens.com, and she is particularly passionate about merging the arts of books and film.