The Work
Bio
An award-winning director and two-time Film Independent Fellow, Australian ex-pat and Los Angeles native Mike Miller is passionate about the craft of filmmaking.
A director with a talent for casting and visual storytelling, Miller is able to deliver that rare combination of beautiful images and great performances in work that ranges from subtle humor to drama and action.
It has been said that Miller’s films for his many international clients (including Citibank, Avis, Ford, Qantas, United Airlines, Sony and The Los Angeles Times) are more like mini-movies.
This isn’t surprising given that he is also an accomplished screenwriter and DP. His ability in each of these areas, coupled with an understanding of the role every part plays in the storytelling, informs his work as a director.
That body of work has consistently garnered awards at a long list of the world’s major award shows, including a Gold Lion at The Cannes Film Festival, Silver World Medals at The New York Festivals, Gold at The Australian Cinematographers Society (NSW) and ‘Official Selection in Competition’ at The Sundance Film Festival.
Mike was the founder of Silver Lining Films in Sydney, Australia. He steered and built Silver Lining to become one of the most highly regarded and creatively respected production companies in the country and internationally.
He played a pivotal role in the development of ‘The Delinquents’ and Silver Lining was co-production company on the film which topped the box office on its opening weekend.
Mike was also the Director, Screenwriter, Producer and DP on the short film ‘OOPS’ which premiered at The Sundance Film Festival and sold worldwide, including The Sci-Fi Channel, Atom and Canal+.
Awards
Major recent awards and acknowledgements include:
2018 STAGE32 TV WRITING CONTEST: Quarter Finalist;
2018 SCREENCRAFT FEATURE SCREENPLAY CONTEST/DRAMA: Quarter Finalist;
2015 CIRCUS ROAD SCREENPLAY CONTEST: Semi-Finalist;
2015 SCREENCRAFT SCREENWRITING FELLOWSHIP: Quarter Finalist;
2015 BIG BREAK SCREENPLAY CONTEST: Quarter Finalist;
2014 8TH STORYPROS INTERNATIONAL SCREENPLAY CONTEST:
Winner Best Screenplay (Drama), Winner GRAND PRIZE Best Screenplay;
2014 CIRCUS ROAD SCREENPLAY CONTEST: Semi-Finalist;
2013 EMERGING SCREENWRITERS SCREENPLAY COMPETITION: Finalist;
2013 FRESH VOICES SCREENPLAY COMPETITION: Finalist Best Feature Screenplay,
Finalist Best Role Written for a Woman, Finalist Best Screen Chemistry;
2013 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL-LA: Winner Best Screenplay;
2013 ST TROPEZ INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: Winner Best Screenplay/Drama;
2013 SUNSET FILM FESTIVAL LOS ANGELES: Winner Best Screenplay;
2013 SUNDANCE TRM SCREENPLAY COMPETITION: Hon. Mention;
2013 BEVERLY HILLS SCREENPLAY COMPETITION: Finalist;
2008 ANVIL AWARDS: Winner Television Best of Category and Winner Best of Show;
2008 FILM INDEPENDENT FELLOW- Producer;
2007 FILM INDEPENDENT FELLOW- Screenwriter;
2005 SLAMDANCE SCREENPLAY: Semi-Finalist;
2000 NEW YORK FESTIVALS: Finalist Best Cinematography;
1998 AWARD (Australian Writers and Art Directors): Finalist Best Director,
Finalist Best Cinematography;
1998 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: Official Selection;
1998 AUSTRALIAN CINEMATOGRAPHERS SOCIETY (NSW):Winner Gold;
1997 NEW YORK FESTIVALS: Winner Silver World Medal;
1997 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL: Finalist;
1997 SINGAPORE CREATIVE CIRCLE: Commendation Best Director,
Commendation Best Cinematography;
1996 SINGAPORE CREATIVE CIRCLE: Winner Bronze Award Trophy;
1996 SINGAPORE CREATIVE CIRCLE: Commendation Best TV;
1995 LONDON INTERNATIONAL AWARDS: Finalist;
1992 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL: Finalist.
Slate
SHADOWMAN
A ferociously determined and restless young artist, hungry for the truth and driven by revenge, risks all to hunt down the father who kidnapped and then abandoned her years earlier, unaware the ‘truth’ will destroy them both.
(Drama) #neverliveordinary
BLUE MORPHO
Set in the colorful and sexy world of international advertising and the dangerous worlds of Sao Paulo and the Rio favela. A brilliant advertising executive stages his own kidnapping and suddenly finds himself fighting for his life, when his handpicked captors turn on him and make this real.
(Action/Thriller)
EARTH (working title)
Where the groundbreaking and highly successful BBC films and series ‘Planet Earth’, ‘Earth’ and ‘Life’ end, this Royal Geographical Society endorsed 3D film begins. Bringing alive the subject in a way that has never been seen before. The BBC series showed there is a large and growing audience for these entertaining family films. Driven by an ever-expanding desire for knowledge and an understanding of our place in the Universe. Of Life.
INDY (working title)
This 3D film captures the drama, the glamour, the on-the-edge-of-your-seat intensity and danger of a particular sport. Bringing it to life and leaving the audience with an experience they could not have imagined. Delivering that experience through a narrative cinema feature film, TV/Web series and gaming platforms.
© All Rights Reserved
Testimonials
Mike stands alone among all the filmmakers I have worked with in over 20 years. It would be inadequate to just call him a director. He is an expert on the entire process of filmmaking and he extracts the best from each department to deliver an exciting film. Without losing his good humor. Not only is Mike a master of the craft, he’s also an excellent human being.
— Vinod Nair ~ Managing Director, Network MumbaiMike Miller is without a doubt the finest, multi-talented creative person I've ever had the honor to work with. As a director who is also an accomplished DP he has the unique ability to create stunning visuals and tell a compelling, human story all at the same time. Mike is also a terrific writer and conceptual thinker who has a knack for plot and dialogue that never hits a wrong note. Like all the great ones, he's passionate about his craft and never settles for second best.
— Mike Robertson ~ Executive Creative Director, Bates World Wide New YorkMike is highly creative, understands actors and produces very sophisticated and classy work. The beauty he sees in his mind he translates to the screen.
— Susie Maizels ~ Casting Director, MaizelsMike is an incredibly patient, calm and focused film director. Under the toughest circumstances... and there were many on our shoot. I was reminded of the Japanese Zen tales where in, it is said: stillness, serenity and awareness create the best environment for focus. And without awareness there is no point in focus. Mike is a true testament to this.
— Aarti Gupta ~ Script Supervisor, MumbaiMike Miller is a true partner who will help you realize your vision. First he listens. Then after having understood your perspective, sharpens and adds until your good idea becomes even better. Combining outstanding talent with an obsession for perfection, Mike never fails to deliver.
— Patrick Low ~ Writer, SingaporeContact
LOS ANGELES:
Silverlining Films US, Inc
MBS Media Campus
1600 Rosecrans Ave, Suite 400
Manhattan Beach CA 90266 USA
T: +1 (310) 321 7850
Cell: +1 (310) 980 9524
F: +1 (310) 321 7810
E: [email protected]
