Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 19, 2026

Bart Layton

Bartholomew Nicholas Layton is an English filmmaker. He rose to prominence as a documentarian, winning a BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut and a nomination for Best Documentary for The Imposter (2012). He then directed the 2018 film American Animals, a hybrid documentary/docudrama film based on the Transylvania University book heist.

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Jul 19, 2026
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Bart Layton
Layton in 2026
Born
Bartholomew Nicholas Layton

1975 (age 50–51)
London, England
OccupationsFilm director, screenwriter, producer

Bartholomew Nicholas Layton (born 1975)1 is an English filmmaker. He rose to prominence as a documentarian, winning a BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut and a nomination for Best Documentary for The Imposter (2012).2 He then directed the 2018 film American Animals, a hybrid documentary/docudrama film based on the Transylvania University book heist.34

Early life and education

Layton was born in the Hammersmith district of London. Both of his parents were artists, one a sculptor and the other a painter and theatre director.2 Early in his life, he considered going into film or being a painter.2

Career

He made his directorial debut in 2012 with the true-crime story The Imposter.5 It is about Frédéric Bourdin, a French man who claimed to be a missing Texas teenager. Layton won a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for the film6 at the 2013 EE British Academy Film Awards.7

He both wrote and directed American Animals. It depicts a 2004 book heist, with fictionalized versions and interviews with real people.5 Among the interviewees are the original criminals behind the heist.8 He had initially discovered the story in a magazine.910 The film was picked up by MoviePass.11

In May 2018, he signed with the Creative Artists Agency.6

As of 2018, Layton is the creative director of RAW, a British production company.6

Personal life

Layton lives with his family in London.

Filmography

References

References

  1. "Search Results for England202620wales20births201837-2006".
  2. "Bart Layton: Q&A". Guru.Bafta.org. February 7, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  3. Utichi, Joe (9 May 2018). "'American Animals' Director Bart Layton Signs With CAA". Deadline. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  4. Radish, Christina (3 June 2018). "Director Bart Layton on 'American Animals' and Reaching Out to the Real Criminals". Collider. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  5. "American Animals: Bart Layton's New Breed of True Crime", Slate, Studio 360, May 29, 2018
  6. "'American Animals' Director Bart Layton Signs With CAA", Joe Utichi, May 9, 2018, Deadline
  7. "Bart Layton wins BAFTA", United Agents
  8. "American Animals Director Bart Layton on His 'Slick As F*ck' Heist Movie", Hunter Harris, Vulture, May 31, 2018
  9. Martinez, Kiko (June 18, 2018). "Filmmaker Bart Layton Presents 'American Animals'". San Antonio Current. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  10. "Bart Layton on Secrets, Lies, and American Animals", Richard Whittaker, June 14, 2018,
  11. "Frustrating characters rob 'American Animals' of heist film greatness", The Daily Californian, June 14, 2018, A&E
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