Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 25, 2026

Joel Souza

Joel Souza is an American film director and screenwriter.

Last revised
Jun 25, 2026
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Joel Souza
Born (1973-06-14) June 14, 1973
Fremont, California, U.S.
OccupationsFilm director, screenwriter
Years active2010–present
Children2

Joel Souza (born June 14, 1973)1 is an American film director and screenwriter.2

Career

Souza was initially inspired to become a filmmaker after viewing the Indiana Jones film Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).3

As a writer and director, Souza debuted in 2010 with the family adventure film Hannah's Gold, starring Luke Perry. The thriller Crown Vic, which featured the life behind the wheel of a patrol car, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival,45 and received mixed reviews from critics, who noted substantial similarities between Crown Vic and the 2001 film Training Day.6

2021 Rust shooting incident

On October 21, 2021, Souza was injured by a discharge from a prop gun fired by actor Alec Baldwin while filming Rust. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died in the incident.78

Personal life

Souza lives in the San Francisco Bay Area,7 and is married with two children.910

Filmography

Year Title Director Writer Producer Ref.
2010 Hannah's Gold Yes Yes No 11
2015 Ghost Squad Yes Yes No 12
2015 Christmas Trade Yes Yes No 13
2017 Break Night Yes Yes Yes 11
2019 Crown Vic Yes Yes No 14
2024 Rust Yes Yes No 15
TBA Red Card Yes No No 16
References

References

  1. Bricard, Manon (October 22, 2021). "Joel Souza : qui est le réalisateur blessé par un tir d'Alec Baldwin ?". L'Internaute (in French). Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  2. Breznican, Anthony (August 15, 2024). "Rust Filmmaker Joel Souza Finally Speaks About Fatal Shooting on Set: "It Ruined Me"". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  3. Nardino, Meredith (October 22, 2021). "Who Is Joel Souza: 5 Things to Know About the Director Who Was Injured After Alec Baldwin Prop Gun Shooting". Us Weekly. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  4. "Crown Vic". Screen Media Films. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  5. "Crown Vic | 2019 Tribeca Film Festival". Tribeca Film Festival. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  6. Reed, Rex (November 11, 2019). "Police Procedural 'Crown Vic' Will Keep You Glued to Your Watch More Than the Screen". Observer Media. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  7. Sachdeva, Maanya (October 22, 2021). "Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza: What we know about the victims of the Alec Baldwin Rust shooting". The Independent. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  8. Gonzalez, Sandra (October 22, 2021). "Director of photography killed, movie director injured after Alec Baldwin discharged prop firearm on movie set". CNN. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  9. "Bay Area film director was injured in Alec Baldwin movie set shooting that killed cinematographer". San Francisco Chronicle. October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  10. "Alec Baldwin fires prop gun on movie set, killing cinematographer". Reuters. October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  11. Brow, Jason (October 22, 2021). "Joel Souza: 5 Things To Know About Director Alec Baldwin Injured in Accidental Shooting". Hollywood Life. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  12. Lewis, Rod (October 22, 2015). "DVD Review: Ghost Squad". Glam Adelaide. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  13. Schonfeld, Renee. "Christmas Trade Movie Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  14. Yanick, Joe. "Crown Vic | 2019 Tribeca Film Festival". Tribeca Film Festival. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  15. Lock, Samantha (October 22, 2021). "Alec Baldwin kills woman by firing prop gun on film set of Rust". The Guardian. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  16. Goodfellow, Melanie; Wiseman, Andreas (August 4, 2025). "Djimon Hounsou & Halle Berry Join Africa-Set Thriller 'Red Card' Written By 'Bad Boys' Creator George Gallo & Nick Vallelonga". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
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