Shawn K. Flanagan 

Founder of Almaden Films, Shawn is a pugilist in the world of independent filmmaking—an artist with wry humor, deep emotion, and the instinct to jab and move when up against powerful forces. With a strong background in production management, he’s built a career balancing creativity, efficiency, and unwavering dedication. Shawn got his start in the early 1980s as a background actor on major studio productions such as Patty (directed by Paul Schrader), The Lost Boys (Joel Schumacher), Mad City (Costa-Gavras), and Angels in the Outfield (William Dear). Though his roles were small, the experience gave him invaluable insight into the discipline, collaboration, and persistence required to make films at any level. Flanagan has produced a slate of indie features and shorts that have screened across California, including multiple appearances at the San Jose Cinequest Film Festival. His commitment to the craft extends beyond his own work—he’s devoted to mentoring the next generation of filmmakers, including his son, Shawn Flanagan Jr., a talented director, actor and musician.