Bjorn Stickle is a Canadian and Norwegian-American filmmaker and psychological researcher whose work lives at the intersection of cinema, mental health, and ethical storytelling. With a background in both 3D character animation and psychology, Bjorn’s films are distinguished by their emotional realism, educational impact, and a deep respect for the people whose stories are told.

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Bjorn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is currently completing his Master of Arts in Psychology (Research Track) at Pace University. His academic training is not just theoretical—he has conducted multiple IRB-approved research studies that use original animated films to measure public understanding and emotional impact around mental health conditions. His work is driven by a belief that film can be more than entertainment—it can be empathy in motion.

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His first major animated short, Unease (2024), explores the differences between situational anxiety and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Used in a university-led research study, the film was found to shift viewer perceptions and challenge stigma. His second animated short, focused on Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), is scheduled for completion by July 2025 and serves as the centerpiece of his MA thesis. Both films are part of a growing body of work that blends cinematic technique with behavioral science.

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Bjorn has also directed several live-action documentaries. His debut, Light on Your Feet (2019), was shot with a $0 budget and runs 43 minutes, capturing the late-night heartbeat of Granville Street through the lens of urban youth and nightlife. His follow-up feature, 14000 Miles (2021), was produced with just $12,000 and honored with a deep-space premiere by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and recognition from the U.S. Senate. In the film, Bjorn travels across North America to ask what truth means in a post-truth world—interviewing billionaires, farmers, activists, and elders along the way.

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From January 2022 to March 2024, Bjorn directed a third feature documentary, tentatively titled Film 3, which chronicled the stories of several young adults facing systemic injustice and personal crises. After one of the primary subjects died by suicide during the film’s post-production, Bjorn made the personal and ethical decision to shelve the project permanently, citing a refusal to profit from someone’s death or use it as a promotional tool. Though unreleased, the experience profoundly shaped his approach to storytelling, reinforcing his commitment to dignity, consent, and compassion in documentary filmmaking.

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His newest feature documentary, Unarranged (2025), explores the cultural and psychological dimensions of arranged marriage in the 21st century. With a budget of $200,000 and a 75-minute runtime, the film begins its festival run in July 2025.

Bjorn is also currently in pre-production on a third animated short—his first purely narrative project, not tied to a research study—scheduled for release in early 2026. This film will expand his creative range beyond mental health, further demonstrating his ability to tell emotionally resonant stories in both animated and live-action formats.

Bjorn’s directorial style is defined by:

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• Psychological depth, rooted in formal research

• Moral sensitivity, particularly around vulnerable subjects

• Hybrid storytelling, blending real data with creative expression

• Cross-format fluency, with over 220 minutes of directed film spanning $0–$200K budgets

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He is based in New York City and continues to direct and produce films that challenge stigma, spark introspection, and bridge the worlds of science and story.