Afton Quast Saler  

Afton grew up in Anaheim, California, where she started her professional acting career at 13 years old. She has toured the U.S. and Europe with The Young Americans, an educational outreach and performing group, as well as working in regional theaters across the country, including New York, California, Utah, and Maine, to name a few. She trained acting at the T. Schreiber Studio in New York City, BGB Studios in Los Angeles, and sketch comedy at Second City Hollywood, where she would discover the purest reflection of herself in a passion for writing, directing, and creating her own work.

Since moving back to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts and graduating with a degree in production, Afton has continued to work in both film and theatre. Afton directed the Encore Award-winning production of Cheek (and other stories) at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, directed and co-wrote the pilot for the TV Series Emmiething Goes, as well as directed and wrote the HFPA Center for Cinema & Television award-winning short film, Brothel Sprouts.

Most recently, Afton has gained recognition for directing and writing her short USC thesis documentary, Neurodivergent, combining her passion for mental health awareness and the arts. The film has played over 30 film festivals worldwide, winning Best Documentary at Portland Film Festival, San Louis Obispo Film Festival, USC’s First Look Awards, and receiving the Jury Prize for Best Female Director at the DGA Student Film Awards. 

Currently, she lives and freelances in Pasadena, CA, with her husband Jesse, their dog Johanna, and the wild parrots that live in the tree outside their window. (10/22)