
Carl Effenson is an award-winning independent film producer known for telling socially impactful, emotionally resonant stories. His work spans critically acclaimed, festival-winning features to heartfelt crowd-pleasers — all grounded in authenticity and crafted to spark conversation.
His credits include Mudbound (Netflix), directed by Dee Rees and starring Carey Mulligan, Mary J. Blige, and Jason Clarke. The film made Oscar history with four Academy Award nominations and took home the Humanitas Prize and Robert Altman Award at the Independent Spirit Awards. It was also named Best Picture of the Year by both The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times.
Carl executive produced Bob Trevino Likes It (Roadside Attractions), starring Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo. The film premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, winning both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award to rave reviews (95% Rotten Tomatoes). He also produced Mending the Line (Sony Pictures), starring Brian Cox, Sinqua Walls, and Wes Studi — a moving story about a Marine with PTSD who finds healing through fly fishing. The film debuted on Netflix in 2024, where it quickly rose to #1 on the U.S. Top Ten chart.
Recent projects include Maybe We Should, a heartwarming family drama set in a therapy center for children with special needs, starring Heather Graham, Lil Rel Howery, Jeremy John Wells, and Kevin Nealon. His earlier films include Hide Away (SXSW Grand Jury Prize), starring Josh Lucas and James Cromwell, and Burying the Ex (Venice Film Festival), directed by Joe Dante and starring Anton Yelchin and Alexandra Daddario.
Carl’s work has premiered at top-tier festivals such as Sundance, Toronto, Venice, London, and SXSW. Based in Austin, Texas, he’s committed to stories that resonate deeply and leave a lasting impact.
