Joe Swanberg (b. 1981) studied film production at Southern Illinois University, where he developed an interest in emerging video technology and a crippling addiction to the Internet. All four of his features, KISSING ON THE MOUTH (2005), LOL (2006), HANNAH TAKES THE STAIRS (2007) and NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS (2008) had their world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival. He is currently finishing his new film, ALEXANDER THE LAST. He and his wife, Kris, have produced three seasons of the popular web-series YOUNG AMERICAN BODIES for Nerve.com and IFC.com, and he also created a detective series called BUTTERKNIFE for Spout.com. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.