Michael Knowles
Producer and Creative Director
Michael Knowles programmed short films for the Commonwealth and Manchester International Film Festivals and the British Council, before establishing short film production company Northern Films, the Northern Film Network and the inaugural Salford Film Festival.
His 2004 short Talking with Angels, directed by Yousaf Ali Khan, was accepted by over 80 festivals around the world and won awards at 15, as well as a BAFTA nomination for Best Short Film.
Having completed the prestigious EAVE course to develop one of Made Up North's feature film projects, Michael won a sought-after place on Skillset's ‘Guiding Lights' mentoring scheme where he was mentored by producer Andrew Eaton (24 Hour Party People, A Cock and Bull Story). He has lectured on short film production and distribution at The University of Manchester, and has a successful track record of attracting public funding through the Film Council, National Lottery, local government and European bodies.
His 2004 short film Talking with Angels, directed by Yousaf Ali Khan, was accepted by over 80 festivals around the world and won awards at 15, as well as a BAFTA nomination for Best Short Film.
As well as producing for Made Up North he has recently production-managed ‘Arctic Monkeys at the Apollo' and The Mighty Boosh's forthcoming live film (with Warp Films). His latest production is CGI short The Conductor by Geoff Wolfenden.
Before working in film Michael toured with local band The Catchmen and ran an influential nightclub on Manchester 's Tib Street , hosting appearances by Massive Attack, Roni Size, 808 State and Badly Drawn Boy amongst others.
mike@madeupnorthproductions.co.uk