Tyler Coon is a filmmaker that recently completed his MFA in Film Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Tyler comes from the great state of Massachusetts, loves baseball, cooking and home-improvement projects. Prior to, and during, his studies in USC’s Film Production program, Tyler has written, directed, edited or produced over 15 independent short films in various above and below the line roles. He thrives in scrappy, DIY filmmaking. Currently, Tyler resides in Long Beach, CA, developing his debut feature-length film while working in theatrical distribution and marketing at Paper Airplane Media, bringing independent and mini-major studio films to big screens across the globe.
Please List the Title of Your Film at BIFF 2026
I Love You More Than Dinosaurs
What was your first experience with film and how did it influence your first project?
To be honest, my earliest filmmaking adventures were inspired not by Hollywood, but by YouTube. It was the world of vlogging, gaming, video essays and experimental meme edits that first prompted me to pick up a camera and download an editing software. From there, I found myself instantly in love with the craft of it all. Gradually, the projects became bigger and better, leading me to USC where I learned the true Hollywood way. But those DIY roots are strong, and I’d like to think I still bring a bit of “friends hanging out with a camera and a laptop” to everything that I make.
Who is (are) your favorite filmmakers?
Really impossible question. Scorsese is my all-time great if I had to choose. But I’d also like to give a little love to some really exciting independent filmmakers whose work I’ve really been moved by. Guys like Matt Johnson, Carson Lund, Cory Finley, and Evan Morgan.
What are you working on that no one knows about?
I have completed a script of, and am in the very early stages of putting a team together for, another short film project called Juice Box Noir. It’s a hard-boiled, black & white detective noir… set in the halls of an elementary school. Coming off of I Love You More Than Dinosaurs, I wanted to work with child actors again because it was such a fun experience. Putting child characters into a genre like noir is ripe for hilarious subversion of the tropes we all know.
Who would play you in a movie? What’s your go to movie snack? What’s the film title that best describes your life?
My heart says Ryan Gosling, but my brain says Michael Cera…
Popcorn with Reese’s Pieces mixed in!
I truly can’t think of a film title, lol, sorry.
