Sam is a writer and director based in Los Angeles. He usually makes intimate character driven narratives about lonely and confused people.

His short film TYLER was featured on Short of the Week and was a Vimeo Staff Pick.

His short film EMILY was featured on Short of the Week and was a Vimeo Staff Pick.

His short film RED LIGHT was featured on Short of the Week and won Best Experimental Short of the Year. It was also a Vimeo Staff Pick.

Recently, his short film THE DAY AFTER THE DAY AFTER was featured on Short of the Week.

He’s guest lectured at the University of Iowa and taught at California School of the Arts. He’s planning on shooting his first feature film in the fall of 2024.

“The fact that Benenati can consistently pen and film scripts that are monologues or two-handers yet leave viewers on the edge of their seats is truly phenomenal.” - Jason Sondhi, Short of the Week