Dean Puckett

Biography

Dean Puckett is an English filmmaker and director working primarily in horror and genre cinema. His work focuses on atmosphere-driven storytelling, often drawing on elements of folk horror and the uncanny. He has directed a number of acclaimed short films, including The Sermon (2017), which screened internationally and received strong recognition on the festival circuit. His short-form work has played at major festivals such as Sitges, FrightFest, Overlook, Palm Springs ShortFest, HollyShorts, and Encounters, helping establish him as a distinctive voice in contemporary British horror. In 2024, Dean made his feature debut with The Severed Sun, a folk horror feature developed with backing from BFI, BBC Film, and Creative England. Following its premiere at Fantastic Fest, the film was released by Dark Sky Films, with Blue Finch handling UK, Ireland, and ANZ distribution, received a limited UK cinema run, and launches on Shudder in January 2026. Alongside his directing work, Dean is a co-founder of the production company Grasp The Nettle, which he founded with award-winning producer Rebecca Wolff. The company develops and produces work across both documentary and fiction, with a focus on distinctive, filmmaker-led projects.