David Scheerer

DAVID SCHEERER is an independent filmmaker and scholar teaching at the University level for twenty-five years while directing, producing and scripting award-winning fiction and documentary films. 

SELECT CREATIVE WORK / DOCUMENTARY FILMS

    • THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY PROJECT
      (2009-2014 / 89:30 short films combined running time)
      5 Short Films + 40 Video Podcasts currently premiering / $3 million NSF funding
      Co-PI, Director, Producer, Co-Writer
    • HEADWATERS TO A CONTINENT: Montana’s Working Watershed Groups
      (2006 / 25:43 running time / Montana PBS Broadcast) 2 Silver / 1 Bronze Telly
      Executive Producer
    • PATH TO EDEN: Conserving Montana’s Natural Resources and Culture
      Hosted by Tom Brokaw
      (2006 / 26:46 running time / Montana PBS Broadcast)
      Executive Producer, Writer, and Co-Director
    • IN SEARCH OF LEWIS & CLARK
      (2002 / 55:00 running time / Discovery Channel Prime Time Broadcast)
      Director 
    • YELLOWSTONE: AMERICA’S EDEN
      (1997 - 2005/ 56:46 International Broadcast / 2007 National PBS Broadcast)
      Director, Producer, Writer
      Finalist at Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Fest, Grenoble Grand Prix du Festival Winner

SELECT WORKS IN PROGRESS

    • SILVERWOOD RECREATIONAL STATE PARK
      (10:00 Short Film / California State Parks & Humboldt)
      Executive Producer, Director, Producer
    • THE MUSIC INSIDE
      (90:00 Feature Narrative starring Amy Redford and Mary Ellen Trainor)
      Production Company: The Montana Motion Picture Cooperative
      Executive Producer, Director, Producer 
    • REALITY’S EDGE
      (90:00 Feature Documentary on Robert and Francis Flaherty)
      Partial funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation $250,000 raised to date / 20 hours filmed / in partnership with Betsy McLane
      Executive Producer, Director, Producer

HONORS & AWARDS

  • 2014
    $109,000, California State Parks / Silverwood State Park Project
  • 2012
    Humboldt Sabbatical for The California Environmental Legacy Project
  • 2011
    $20,000 Humboldt TFD cash & in-kind funding for The Walker Tapes Project
  • 2009 
    $3,000,000 NSF grant, co-PI / The California Environmental Legacy Project
  • 2008
    $50,000 cash and in-kind support, Cal Poly Humboldt for The Music Inside
  • 2007
    $5,000 Development Cash Grant / Reality’s Edge (ANGEL funding)
  • 2007
    4 Silver Telly Awards Beyond Road’s End & Headwaters to a Continent
  • 2007
    4 Bronze Telly Awards (Beyond Road’s End & Headwaters to a Continent)
  • 2006
    Invited Delegate / Documentary Symposia at American University
  • 2005
    Award of Teaching Excellence, MSU Alumni Association
  • 2004
    NYC Independent Feature Project / Finalist Work In Progress: Reality’s Edge
  • 2004
    $650,000 cash and in-kind support for indie feature film, The Music Inside
  • 2004
    Invited Adjudicator, 31st Northwest Film & Video Festival in Portland, Oregon
  • 2003
    MSU Sabbatical for Reality’s Edge: Robert J. Flaherty Documentary
  • 2003
    $4,000 Cash Award, MSU College of Arts & Architecture
  • 2002
    2 Golden Addy Awards / Best Director / NW Regional Commercial Awards
  • 2001
    $17,000 Cash Award, MSU Scholarship and Creativity Grants
  • 1999
    $8,000 Cash Award, Montana Committee for the Humanities
  • 1999
    $50,000 Cash Award, The John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
  • 1999 
    $2,100 Cash Award, MSU Scholarship and Creativity Grants
  • 1998
    Grand Prix du Festival, (top award) Grenoble Film Festival
  • 1998
    National Silver Telly Award: Best Documentary
  • 1998 
    Two Merit Awards, 21st International Wildlife Film Festival
  • 1997 
    Award of Teaching Excellence, MSU Alumni Association
  • 1997 
    Gold Award / CASE Awards / Best Commercial Spots
  • 1997
    Finalist in Competition: Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival / Best Documentary
  • 1997 
    Grand Prize, ECOTOPFILM Film Festival, Slovenia
  • 1996 
    Silver Apple Award, National Educational Media Network
  • 1996
    Golden Eagle/ CINE / Best Dramatic Short
  • 1994
    $30,000 Cash Award, Western States Media Development Fund
  • 1990
    Bronze Award / CASE Awards / Best Documentary
  • 1989
    National Silver Telly Award: Best Documentary
  • 1988
    Children’s Choice Award, International Children’s Film Festival
  • 1987 
    Regional Winner / The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
  • 1987 
    Grand Prize / Best Narrative Film / National Broadcasting Society
  • 1986
    Regional Winner / The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

Specialty Area

Film