Rob Epstein, also credited as Robert P. Epstein (born April 6, 1955 in New Jersey), is an American director, producer, writer and editor. Epstein has won two Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature, for the films The Times of Harvey Milk and Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt.
In making the transition to scripted narrative, Epstein wrote, directed, and produced (with Jeffrey Friedman), the feature film Howl, starring James Franco as young Allen Ginsberg. Howl was the opening night film of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, and in the official competition at the Berlin International Film Festival. Howl won the 2010 Freedom of Expression Award from the National Board of Review.
Epstein is the recipient of numerous other awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the International Documentary Association's Pioneer Award for his contributions to the field, as well as the Outfest Achievement Award and the Frameline Film Festival Award.
As a child, Epstein had a painting studio set up in the basement of his suburban New Jersey home, but it was not until he discovered filmmaking that he found his artistic career.