Sam Yates (born August 1983) is a British director. Yates was born in Stockport and attended Poynton High School. He was selected as one of Screen International's Stars of Tomorrow, named a rising star in The Observer, and featured in GQ Magazine's "Men of the next 25 years". Yates has been described as "a major talent" in The Guardian newspaper and "a director of unusual flair" in The Observer. He studied English at Homerton College, Cambridge. Yates has directed two music videos for Ivor Novello Award-nominated band Bear's Den, Auld Wives and Emeralds.