Todd Traina

{{short description|American film producer}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Todd Traina | image = Todd Traina SFFILM 2026 (cropped).jpg | caption = Todd Traina in 2026 | birth_name =  | birth_date = 1969 | birth_place = [[San Francisco]], California, U.S. | alma_mater = [[Connecticut College]] | occupation = {{hlist|Film producer|Musician}} | organization = Traina Productions, Red Rover Films | years_active = 1991–present | spouse = {{marriage|Katie Traina|2003}} | children = 1 | father = John Traina | mother = [[Dede Wilsey]] | relatives = [[Trevor Traina]] (brother), [[Danielle Steel]] (former stepmother)  }}

'''Todd Traina''' (born 1969) is an American film producer and the founder of Red Rover Films in 2007.<ref name="SF Film Society">{{cite news|url=http://www.sffs.org/content.aspx?catid=22,37&pageid=1380|title=San Francisco Film Society Elects Jennifer Chaiken and Todd Traina to Board of Directors |date=October 8, 2009|work=Press release|publisher=San Francisco Film Society|accessdate=May 2, 2010}}</ref> In 2007, Traina was named by ''[[Daily Variety]]'' as one of its "10 Producers to Watch".<ref name="Zinko" /> He is currently serving as the Board President of [[SFFILM|SFFiLM]], a nonprofit that runs the [[San Francisco International Film Festival]]; he was named to the board in 2009.<ref name="SF Film Society" />

== Personal life == He was born in 1969 in San Francisco, California, to shipping executive and art collector John Traina and [[Dede Wilsey]], a San Francisco philanthropist and businesswoman who serves as Chairman of the [[Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco]].<ref name="Zinko">{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Todd-Traina-s-passion-is-movies-not-money-3296047.php|title=Todd Traina's passion is movies, not money|last=Zinko|first=Carolyne|date=February 5, 2008|work=SFGate|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|accessdate=May 2, 2010}}</ref> Traina wanted to attend an East Coast school, and with its liberal arts curriculum and family connection, he attended [[Connecticut College]] and graduated with a degree in Government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Connecticut College – CC:online magazine |url=https://aspen.conncoll.edu/camelweb/index.cfm?fuseaction=publications&circuit=cconline&function=view&uid=33&id=767105575 |website=Connecticut College Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232130/https://aspen.conncoll.edu/camelweb/index.cfm?fuseaction=publications&circuit=cconline&function=view&uid=33&id=767105575 |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> He is the younger brother of [[Trevor Traina]], and his former stepmother is novelist [[Danielle Steel]].<ref name="Zinko" />

Traina married Katie Traina in 2003. The couple has one daughter and resides in [[San Francisco]].<ref name="Zinko" />

== Film career == Fresh from college, Traina began his career in the film industry in 1991 as a production assistant on television movie-of-the-week adaptations of his stepmother's novels.<ref name="Zinko" /><ref name="Howard" /> He turned independent producer two years later. His first complete film was ''Stanley's Gig,'' which he sold to the [[Starz Inc.|Starz Network]] and released in 2000.<ref name="Zinko" />

Traina has compared being a producer to being a wedding planner and "the father of the bride in a wedding that lasts a whole year".<ref name="Howard">{{cite web|url=http://aspen.conncoll.edu/camelweb/index.cfm?fuseaction=publications&circuit=cconline&function=view&uid=33&id=767105575|title=Making Movie Magic: Close-up with independent film producer Todd Traina ´91 |last=Howard|first=Mary|date=Winter 2008–2009|publisher=Connecticut College Magazine|accessdate=May 3, 2010}}</ref>

Over his more than 30-year career, Traina has produced over 25 feature films, many of which have played at prominent international film festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Berlin, Toronto, SXSW, and others.

Through his production company, Traina Productions, he produced ''One Stupid Thing'' directed by [[Linda Yellen]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Complex |first1=Valerie |title='One Stupid Thing': Filming Begins On Linda Yellen And Traina Productions Suspense Thriller Starring Corey Fogelmanis, Jack Wright, Sky Katz, Shelby Simmons, And Alfredo Narciso |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/one-stupid-thing-filming-begins-linda-yellen-traina-productions-suspense-thriller-1235659678/ |website=Deadline |date=December 12, 2023}}</ref> He also served as Executive Producer on ''Edge of Everything'', which debuted at the [[Filmfest München|Munich Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Visit Films boards 'Edge Of Everything' ahead of Filmest München world premiere (exclusive) |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/visit-films-boards-edge-of-everything-ahead-of-filmest-munchen-world-premiere-exclusive/5183049.article |website=Screen Daily |language=en}}</ref> and on ''[[Sasquatch Sunset]]'', starring [[Riley Keough]] and [[Jesse Eisenberg]], which premiered at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gyarkye |first1=Lovia |title='Sasquatch Sunset' Review: Riley Keough and Jesse Eisenberg Play Bigfoots in a Sometimes Poignant, Sometimes Trying Zellner Brothers Film |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/sasquatch-sunset-review-riley-keough-jesse-eisenberg-1235793864/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 20, 2024}}</ref> Traina was also Executive Producer on ''[[War Pony]]'', directed by Keough and Gina Gammell, which won the [[Caméra d'Or]] at the [[2022 Cannes Film Festival]] and premiered in the US in 2023.<ref>{{cite news|last=Coyle |first=Jake |url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-cannes-film-festival-palme-d-or-award-fbaa5489fcd6a64588a5bbd6737732e5 |title='Triangle of Sadness' wins Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Fest |website=The Associated Press |date=May 29, 2022 |access-date=October 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Debruge |first1=Peter |title='War Pony' Review: Riley Keough Shows the Everyday Realities of Reservation Life |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/festivals/war-pony-review-riley-keough-1235271438/ |website=Variety |date=May 21, 2022}}</ref>

Traina co-wrote and produced the feature comedy ''I Hate Kids''<ref>{{cite web |last=DeFore |first=John |title='I Hate Kids': Film Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/i-hate-kids-1176575/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 16, 2019}}</ref> and served as producer on [[Sian Heder|Sian Heder's]] directorial debut ''[[Tallulah (film)|Tallulah]]'', which premiered at Sundance and was later acquired by [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hartlaub |first1=Peter |title=Traina's screenwriting debut, 'I Hate Kids,' premieres at Castro |url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Traina-s-screenwriting-debut-I-Hate-12803066.php |website=SFGate |language=en |date=April 4, 2018}}</ref>

In addition to his work in feature films, Traina served as Executive Producer on the episodic mockumentary series ''Dope State''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McNary |first1=Dave |title='Dope State' Mockumentary Gets Distribution (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/gabriel-sunday-dope-state-mockumentary-distribution-1202964789/ |website=Variety |date=October 2, 2018}}</ref> Apart from his career in the film industry, Traina is also a musician, having played drums in various bands. He has served on the board of the [[International Tennis Hall of Fame]] and on the Vision of Hope board, which supports providing private education to underprivileged youth.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dede Wilsey and Todd Traina Are Looking For the Next Wave of Charity Board Members |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a9605038/dede-wilsey-todd-traina-interview/ |website=Town & Country |date=May 19, 2017}}</ref>

== Filmography == Traina has served as producer, co-producer, or executive producer on the following films: * ''[[Sasquatch Sunset]]'' (2024) * ''Edge of Everything'' (2023) * ''Rally'' (2023) * ''[[War Pony]]'' (2022) * ''[[10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up]]'' (2020) * ''Dope State'' (2019) * ''[[I Hate Kids]]'' (2019) * ''Don't Leave Home'' (2018) * ''Wiener Dog Internationals'' (2016) * ''[[Tallulah (film)|Tallulah]]'' (2016) * ''[[Ten Thousand Saints]]'' (2015) * ''[[What Maisie Knew (film)|What Maisie Knew]]'' (2012) * ''[[Goats (film)|Goats]]'' (2012) * ''[[Another Happy Day]]'' (2011) * ''[[Morning (film)|Morning]]'' (2010) * ''[[The Romantics (film)|The Romantics]]'' (2010) * ''[[Black Water Transit]]'' (2009) * ''[[Blood and Bone]]'' (2009) * ''[[My Suicide]]'' (2009) * ''[[Stag Night]]'' (2008) * ''[[Timber Falls]]'' (2007) * ''[[What We Do Is Secret (film)|What We Do Is Secret]]'' (2007) * ''[[Punk's Not Dead (2007 film)|Punk's Not Dead]]'' (2007) * ''[[Grace is Gone]]'' (2007) * ''Skeleton Woman'' (2000) * ''Stanley's Gig'' (2000) * ''Life Sold Separately'' (1997)

;Television film * ''[[Heartbeat (1993 film)|Heartbeat]]'' (1993) * ''[[Secrets (1992 American film)|Secrets]]'' (1992) * ''[[Danielle Steel's 'Palomino']]'' (1991)

;As actor * ''I Hate Kids'' (2019) * ''White Power'' (2001)

== Awards == Todd Traina's work has been recognized at various film festivals and award events. [[Another Happy Day]] (2011), directed and written by Sam Levinson, won the [[Waldo Salt#The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award|Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fernandez |first1=Jay A. |title='Another Happy Day' U.S. Rights Sold to Phase 4 Films |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/happy-day-us-rights-sold-188304/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 13, 2011}}</ref> At the 2011 [[Sundance Film Festival]], [[Grace is Gone]], received the Audience Award for Best Drama. In 2016, [[Tallulah (film)|Tallulah]], was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. [[War Pony]], which premiered at the 2022 [[Cannes Film Festival]], won the Caméra d'Or for Best First Feature.<ref>{{cite web |title='Triangle of Sadness' wins Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Fest |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/05/29/1101969473/triangle-of-sadness-wins-palme-dor-at-cannes-film-fest |website=NPR |date=May 29, 2022 }}</ref> In 2022, Edge of Everything, won the Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title=Santa Barbara Film Festival Winners Include 'Transmexico', 'Andragogy', More |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/2024-santa-barbara-film-festival-winners-list-1235829386/ |website=Deadline |date=February 17, 2024}}</ref> Additionally, TransMexico, Edge of Everything, and Andragogy were among the winners at the 2024 [[Santa Barbara International Film Festival]]. ''[[My Suicide]]'', a low-budget dark comedy released in 2009 which Traina produced, won a Crystal Bear at the 2009 [[Berlin Film Festival]],<ref name="SF Film Society" /> among other prizes.

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commonscat|Todd Traina}} * [http://www.redroverfilms.com/index.htm Red Rover Films] * Todd Traina at [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0870694/ Internet Movie Database] * Todd Traina's [http://www.facebook.com/people/Todd-Traina/535736553 Facebook page] * 2007 interview of Todd Traina on [http://www.keehnonart.com/_mp3/2007/Todd-Traina-2007-05-07-mp3.mp3 ''Keehn on Art'' radio show] on 960, The Quake, discussing punk rock

{{DEFAULTSORT:Traina, Todd}} [[Category:Businesspeople from San Francisco]] [[Category:Connecticut College alumni]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Film producers from California]] [[Category:1969 births]]