Shows
Reel Mental with Dr. Marcia Sirota37 - Daniel Persitz Discusses Key of GeniusWRITER/DIRECTOR – DANIEL PERSITZ
Daniel has sold numerous scripts to studios and production companies including Lionsgate, eOne, Hasbro Studios, Dark Horse and Dimension. Three of his screenplays have been voted onto the prestigious Hollywood Black List, including the feature version of Key of Genius, co-written with David Seidler, the Oscar-winning writer of The King’s Speech.
Daniel is also an experienced producer and film executive, with credits at Robert Zemeckis’ production company and Hasbro Studios. He produced Universal’s thriller hit Ouija and worked on the Transformers and Dungeons & Dragons franchises for Paramount...
2026-03-0417 min
Bond on CinemaThis Oscar-Qualified Film About Derek Paravicini Will Change How You See GeniusMy guest today is Daniel Persitz, the writer/director of the inspiring Oscar-qualified short film Key of Genius, based on the extraordinary true story of a blind, autistic musical savant and the Queen of England's nephew, Derek Paravicini.
The film was also co-written by the Academy Award-winning screenwriter David Seidler (The King’s Speech), the short film explores themes of resilience, brilliance, and human connection. By dramatizing the unlikely but life-changing relationship between Derek and his teacher, the film sheds light on the power of inclusion and the boundless possibilities of neurodiverse individuals.
The film’s gro...
2025-12-0634 min
The Oscar Project Podcast3.83-Filmmaker Interview with Daniel PersitzSend us Fan MailIn today's episode, I interview Daniel Persitz, director of the short film "Key of Genius," a story of a young blind autistic savant and the teacher determined to unlock his genius through music.Listen to hear about the process of casting such a specific character, a brief communication with royalty, and the task of picking which music to feature in a film that focuses so much on playing music.Books mentioned in this episode include:In the Key of Genius: The Extraordinary Life of Derek Paravicini by Adam...
2025-10-1418 min
Office Hours with David MeltzerVictor Bornstein, Daniel Persitz, Setema Gali | IG LiveVictor Bornstein
Victor Bornstein, co-founder and CEO of Justpoint, is on a mission to add five billion healthy years to the global population by eliminating hidden toxins in everyday products. Through Justpoint’s AI-enabled consumer protection platform, his team identifies toxic exposures, empowers families affected by harmful products, and drives industries toward safer standards using science, litigation, and media. Drawing from his global background—born in Nicaragua, raised in Brazil, and trained in the U.S.—and his experience at Mount Sinai Hospital and the Texas Medical Center, Victor combines health data expertise with a passion for techno...
2025-10-0837 min
The Film AngleKey of Genius - Interview with Daniel PersitzIn this episode, Alex is joined by writer, director, and producer Daniel Persitz to talk about his moving short film Key of Genius; the extraordinary true story of blind, autistic musical savant Derek Paravicini. Adapted from the acclaimed biography In the Key of Genius by Derek’s longtime mentor Adam Ockelford, the film is set to be developed into a feature, with a script co-written by the late Oscar-winner David Seidler (The King’s Speech). We dive into Daniel’s career, his approach to adaptation, and the creative process behind bringing Derek’s inspiring journey to the s...
2025-09-2456 min