Biography

Sarah has brought stories from Russian orphanages, Filipino prisons, Indian slums and the American bible belt to millions of people in over thirty-five countries. She’s written, produced and directed five documentary films, two of which premiered at Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim and strong international sales including to HBO, Netflix, Channel 4, ESPN and the BBC.

Sarah was recently selected for the UK’s most prestigious mentorship scheme ‘Guiding Lights’ and is currently being mentored by John Crowley (dir Brooklyn, The Goldfinch). Screen Australia are financing the development of Sarah’s first scripted film and Uzma Hasan (The Infidel, First Born) is producing. Sarah has been named in the Radio Times ‘30 Most Powerful Women in Film’, Real Screen’s ‘Hot Shots’, Edinburgh Festival’s ‘Fast Track Scheme’ and is a proud member of London’s ‘Cinesisters’.

Oscar Nominated director Morgan Spurlock made an hour long documentary about Sarah’s experience of premiering her first film at the Toronto International Film Festival. ‘Committed’ premiered on AMC and told the story of HBO acquiring Sarah’s film ‘The Sound of Mumbai’ for their summer season. Quotes about Sarah’s work include:

 "The Sound of Mumbai is one of the most emotionally charged films I’ve ever shown. In fact, just thinking about it now makes me choke up."

Thom Powers, Toronto International Film Festival Programmer 

 "We are deeply in love with this documentary."

Sheila Nevins, President of HBO Documentary Films

"The Sound of Mumbai craftily balances inspirational uplift with clear-eyed pragmatism, filmmaker Sarah McCarthy is admirably restrained when it comes to heart-tugging, and sharply observant in noting the revealing details."

Joe Leydon, Variety

“I can’t remember the last time I was so moved by a documentary”

Horatia Harrod, The Telegraph (referring to The Dark Matter of Love)

Born in Sydney, McCarthy studied film in her native Australia. After graduating with first class honours, and a graduation film that picked up a collection of short film awards, she moved to London where she worked in development for the BBC and RDF Media before moving into documentary directing.

Her directorial debut was entitled ‘Murderers on the Dance Floor’ and it premiered on Channel 4 in UK. The film tells the story behind a YouTube clip which has been viewed by over 51 million people. In this incredible clip, 1500 Filipino prisoners dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller.

McCarthy followed up her debut with ‘Five Weddings, Five Funerals’ for BBC1. It tells the story of a 77-year-old Grandmother Betty Neumar who stands accused of killing her five husbands and her own son, each time for life insurance money. The film pieces together Betty's trail of destruction and broken lives by tracking down relatives of her ex husbands, her children and even the killer granny herself.

Sarah lives in London with her husband Rob, her son Leon and her dog Louis and can be contacted through her agent Rob Kraitt: rob@casarotto.co.uk - https://www.casarotto.co.uk/clients/sarah-mccarthy