Clare Cooney is a filmmaker and SAG actor currently living in Los Angeles, trained in Chicago. She recently made her feature directorial debut with the horror-comedy Departing Seniors. Previously she wrote, directed, edited, and starred in RUNNER, a short film that played at 15 film festivals, winning 6 awards and garnering Cooney a “Filmmaker to Watch” nomination from the Oscar-Qualifying Atlanta Film Festival. The latest short films she directed/edited, AFTER (A LOVE STORY) and PICK UP, both played at Oscar-Qualifying festivals, and all her shorts have gained popularity on the prestigious short film channel Omeleto. As a director, she is known for grounded, character-driven stories filled with tension through naturalism. She made Newcity Magazine's Film 50 list in 2020 and 2019 for being “one of 50 individuals who shaped Chicago's film scene.” Acting credits include a recent guest star on NBC's CHICAGO MED, a recurring role on CW’s 4400, lead roles in numerous independent features, and a supporting role in Steve McQueen’s WIDOWS. Cooney is a School at Steppenwolf graduate & is repped by DDO Artists Agency and Activist Artists Management.

As a working actor, director, and editor with a background in casting, I’m uniquely suited to edit reels. I know what casting is looking for, I understand the concerns and needs of actors, and I’m an efficient and adept storyteller.