Stephen Apkon is a filmmaker, author, social entrepreneur, and educator dedicated to using storytelling as a catalyst for personal growth, leadership, and social change. As the founder and former executive director of the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, New York, Stephen built one of the nation's premier film and education institutions, creating innovative programs that have inspired hundreds of thousands of people to see the world—and themselves—in new ways.
Stephen is the director of the award-winning documentaries There is Another Way and Disturbing the Peace and has produced several acclaimed films, including Presenting Princess Shaw, I'm Carolyn Parker, and Enlistment Days. He is an executive producer of Fantastic Fungi and Planetary. His work consistently explores the power of human connection, purpose, and transformation.
He is also the author of The Age of the Image: Redefining Literacy in a World of Screens, published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux with a foreword by Martin Scorsese. Throughout his career, Stephen has helped individuals and organizations harness the power of narrative to build resilience, foster empathy, and create meaningful change.
As a Playbook for Life facilitator, Stephen brings decades of experience helping people discover their authentic stories, deepen self-awareness, and translate insight into purposeful action. His unique blend of creative vision, educational leadership, and practical wisdom helps participants unlock new perspectives and develop the confidence to lead lives of greater intention, impact, and fulfillment.