Clare Cooney is an LA based filmmaker. Her feature directorial debut DEPARTING SENIORS made its North American Premiere on Opening Night of the Chicago International Film Festival 2023 after screening internationally with FrightFest UK and the Fantastic Pavilion at Cannes. Her award-winning short films RUNNER, PICK UP, and AFTER (A LOVE STORY) have played at major U.S. festivals, including Academy-Qualifying festivals such as Cleveland International, LA Shorts International, Indy Shorts International, and Atlanta Film Festival, where Cooney received a “Filmmaker to Watch” nod. Her films have gained massive popularity on the prestigious short film channel Omeleto, at which Cooney is a Senior Programmer.

Acting credits include NBC's CHICAGO MED, CW’s 4400, NBC’s Chicago PD, lead roles in numerous independent features, and a supporting role in Steve McQueen’s WIDOWS. Cooney originally hails from Detroit and trained extensively in Chicago, and is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Ireland. She is a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf and the University of Notre Dame.