David F. Sandberg (born 21 January 1981) is a Swedish filmmaker, who is the director the Until Dawn film. He is best known for his collective no-budget horror short films under the online pseudonym ponysmasher and for his 2016 directorial debut Lights Out, based on his 2013 acclaimed horror short of the same name. He also directed the horror film Annabelle: Creation (2017) as part of The Conjuring Universe, and the DC Extended Universe films Shazam! (2019) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023).
Career[]
Early Career (2006–2013)[]
David F. Sandberg began his filmmaking journey in his teens as an intern at Film i Jönköping, where he was mentored by film commissioner Svante Rosberg. He found early success online with animated shorts like För Barnen and Vad Tyst Det Blev, leading to paid animation work, including consulting on the Swedish TV show Myggan. Sandberg also worked on several documentaries, including projects for the Swedish Inheritance Fund and the senior citizen-focused Animera = Göra Livlig. After moving to Gothenburg in 2009, he partnered with producer Claes Lundin, co-creating the animated documentary series Earth Savers and the short Ladyboy, which premiered at Cinequest in 2013.
Horror and Feature Films (2013–Present)[]
In 2013, Sandberg pivoted to horror, his original filmmaking passion. With no budget, he made short films using household items and cast his wife, Lotta Losten. His viral hit Lights Out (2013) caught the attention of Hollywood and was developed into a feature by producer Lawrence Grey and James Wan. The 2016 film Lights Out was a breakout success, earning $148 million globally. He followed with Annabelle: Creation (2017), another box office hit.
In 2019, Sandberg directed Shazam! for the DC Extended Universe, followed by its 2023 sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Afterward, he announced plans to return to horror. Upcoming projects include The Culling (with Losten), Netflix’s The Unsound and Below, and a film adaptation of the video game Until Dawn, released in 2025.
Trivia[]
- David F. Sandberg's face is shown a couple of times on one of the missing posters in the visitor’s center, and Megan is possessed by his character briefly as she repeats the words of those who have failed to make it until dawn.
- His favorite character from the Until Dawn game is Mike.[1]
- He has never ended the game with everyone alive, as he doesn’t see the fun in it.[1]
- He likes the movie characters as a group but has a soft spot for Abe.[2]
- He played the tall killer in the porcelain mask within the found footage section of the film.[3]
Gallery[]
