Have any microbudget films launched any directing careers in roughly the last 5 years

[filmmakerguy]

You always hear that Kevin Smith shot clerks for xyz dollars, and Robert Rodriguez shot El Mariachi for xyz dollars and look at them now. But that was a long time ago and both were shot on film.

So I'm wondering are there any new examples now that we have all this great new digital gear? Which directors have launched their careers lately with some microbudget (under $25k) digital work?

 

[adkimery]

Fede Alvarez had his short film go viral on YouTube and ended up directing the Evil Dead reboot.


-Andrew

 

[Liam Hall]

Yes, "Monsters" launched Gareth Edwards into Hollywood.

 

[Zak Forsman]

jordan vogt-roberts, who even participated in a DVX Fest one year here, went on to make Kings of Summer and now Kong: Skull Island.

http://badassdigest.com/2014/12/12/skull-island-gets-a-new-release-date-and-a-dumb-new-name/