Ryan Ward
Ryan Ward

Ryan Ward is a writer, director and actor based in Manitoba, Canada and Los Angeles, California. His newest feature, DAUGHTER OF THE SUN, that he wrote, directed and starred in, screened at Fantasia International Film Festival (Audience Award), the Berlinale (Perspective Canada 2024), and Fantaspoa (Best Actor). Praised as "stellar" (ScreenAnarchy), "captivating" (Toronto Star), and "one of the best films you'll see this year" (Unseen Films), the film will be released by Red Water Entertainment and Buffalo 8 in Fall 2024.

Ryan's debut feature, SON OF THE SUNSHINE, (Slamdance), was nominated by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television for a Canadian Screen Award (CSA) with Indiewire praising it as "a mature, immediately involving story" and the National Post calling it "a gem of filmmaking genius." Distributed by Netflix, Amazon, HBO, Hulu, and MUBI, it screened at over 50 festivals, winning 13 awards.

Ryan's other select credits as a writer/director include, IN THE BEGINNING WAS WATER AND SKY (PBS), AMERIKA (INPUT TV Best Film), and TIME TRAVELING THROUGH TIME (Omeleto, PÖFF Tallinn Black Nights, SIFF, Flickers' First Prize Best Experimental Film).

As an actor, Ryan originated the lead role of Ash in the cult hit, EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL (Broadway, Just for Laughs, Original Cast Album) that the New York Times dubbed "the next Rocky Horror Show" and MTV called "the greatest musical phenomenon on the planet." With over 800 performances, Ryan was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award (Canadian Tony) for Best Actor. Ryan also appeared in the films, WE ATE THE CHILDREN LAST (TIFF) and ABOUT FACE (Tribeca).

Ryan Ward awards and nominations
Year Category Subcategory Info Movie/Tv Series
2024 Chatham-Kent International Film Festiva Winner Jury Prize Best Actor - Male (Ryan Ward) Daughter of the Sun
2024 Chatham-Kent International Film Festiva Winner Jury Prize Best Feature Film (Ryan Ward, Mackenzie Leigh) Daughter of the Sun
2024 Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival Winner International Competition Best Actor (Ryan Ward) Daughter of the Sun
2024 Hamilton Film Festival, CA Winner Festival Prize Best Feature Film (Ryan Ward, Mackenzie Leigh) Daughter of the Sun
2024 Hamilton Film Festival, CA Winner Festival Prize Best Performance in a Feature Film (Ryan Ward) Daughter of the Sun
2024 MidWest WeirdFest Winner Festival Award Best Actor (Ryan Ward) Daughter of the Sun
2024 Panama Horror Film Fest Winner Fiction Feature Film Special Mention (Ryan Ward, Mackenzie Leigh) Daughter of the Sun
2024 Stony Brook Film Festival Winner Spirit of Independent Filmmaking Award (Ryan Ward) Daughter of the Sun
2024 Terror in the Bay Film Festival Winner Best Actor Award Best Actor (Ryan Ward) Daughter of the Sun
2023 Fantasia Film Festival Winner Best Canadian Feature Bronze Audience Award (Ryan Ward, Mackenzie Leigh) Daughter of the Sun
Year Category Subcategory Info Movie/Tv Series
2024 FilmQuest Nominee Festival Award Best Feature Film (Mackenzie Leigh, Ryan Ward) Daughter of the Sun
2024 FilmQuest Nominee Festival Award Best Screenplay - Feature (Ryan Ward) Daughter of the Sun
2024 FilmQuest Nominee Festival Award Best Actor - Feature (Ryan Ward) Daughter of the Sun
2024 Nightmares Film Festival Nominee Nightmares Film Festival Award Best Midnight Feature (Ryan Ward, Mackenzie Leigh) Daughter of the Sun
2024 Nightmares Film Festival Nominee Nightmares Film Festival Award Best Director Feature (Ryan Ward) Daughter of the Sun
2024 Regina International Film Festival & Awards (RIFFA) Nominee RIFFA Award Best Canadian Feature (Ryan Ward, Mackenzie Leigh) Daughter of the Sun
2024 Terror in the Bay Film Festival Nominee Best Feature Best Feature (Ryan Ward, Mackenzie Leigh) Daughter of the Sun
2023 Silver Wave Film Festival Nominee Silver Wave Award Best Feature (Ryan Ward, Mackenzie Leigh) Daughter of the Sun
Ryan Ward profile photos