MICHAEL RILEY CEO/COMPANY DIRECTOR
Born in Nottingham, England, Michael directed and produced a number of short films and TV dramas before settling into feature film production. He established Sterling Pictures in 1995.
His fiction work includes over twenty-five feature films, many of which have won prizes at international film festivals. He was one of the youngest ever producers of a major BBC drama serial (the epic family saga “IN A LAND OF PLENTY”, nominated for a RTS award and Top Ten Fiction at the Koln Conference). His film for artist Zarina Bhimji was nominated for the Turner Prize, his documentary "CHINA'S WILD WEST" premiered at Sundance Film Festival and he won Best Film at the Milan International Film Festival for “VAMPIRE DIARY”. His controversial and highly acclaimed “THE SEASONING HOUSE” won the Critics’ Award at Fantasporto and Best Film at Mile High in Colorado. Recent films include the WW2 action/drama “CHOSEN” starring Harvey Keitel, the critically-acclaimed sailing drama/biopic “CROWHURST” for StudioCanal (Executive Produced by Nicolas Roeg) and the period horror/thriller “HERETIKS” (world premier FrightFest 2018). He recently completed black comedy "SIDESHOW" and noir/drama "THE BALLAD OF BILLY McCRAE", both in UK cinemas late 2021. His latest films are the WW1 supernatural love story "CAN YOU HEAR ME?", directed by Simon Hunter and starring Peter Facinelli, James Cosmo and John Standing, and "FEAR THE INVISIBLE MAN" directed by Paul Dudbridge, both currently in post production.
He sits on numerous film festival juries, is a voting member of BAFTA and The European Film Academy, and is an alumni of the MEDIA II Film Business School in Ronda. He works from Bristol and London.
FEAR THE INVISIBLE MAN
2022
Producer: Michael Riley
Thriller / Feature film
Currently in Post Production
SIDESHOW
2020
Producer: Michael Riley
Black comedy / Feature film
"Had me laughing out loud, I highly recommend it" Horrorbuzz.com
"Haunting, hilarious and thoroughly entertaining" Silverscreenblack
THE BALLAD OF BILLY McCRAE
2021
Producer: Michael Riley
Thriller / Feature film
"Looks great, very British with plenty to keep you entertained" Alain Elliott, Nerdly
"A tense thriller that keeps you on the edge throughout" MovieReviews101
CROWHURST
2018
Producer: Michael Riley
Drama biopic / Feature film
"Tremendously moving. Salinger is absolutely superb" Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
"Glorious. A timely, tragic myth"
Anton Bitel, Sight & Sound
"A devastating portrait of a fractured mind" Owen Williams, Empire
CHOSEN
2017
Producer: Michael Riley
WW2 drama / Feature film
"Delightfully refreshing. I love this kind of story" Headgeek, Aint-It-Cool
"Satisfying and accomplished. Effectively portrays the brutality heaped upon the Hungarian Jews" I. MIlton The Upcoming
THE CONVENT
2018
Producer: Michael Riley
Period horror / Feature film
"Gripping, eerie and permeated with dread" Kim Newman
"Vicious physical horror reminiscent of The Evil Dead" Matthew Hammond, Movie Ramblings
SOULMATE
2014
Executive Producer: Michael Riley
Supernatural horror / Feature film
"Dark, gothic, hauntingly romantic and, in a word, fantastic" Melissa Zaroski, The Examiner
"Refreshing and intelligent. Excels with a remarkable sense of timing and atmosphere"
Chelsey Burdon, Zombie Hamster
SCAR TISSUE
2013
Producer: Michael Riley
Genetics thriller / Feature film
"Gripping. Genuinely an unexpected and welcomed surprise" Dominic Cuthbert, Starburst
"A dark, edgy, risk-taking endeavour delivering a couple of hundred volts to the genre" Dave Wain, Zombie Hamster
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THE SEASONING HOUSE
2012
Producer: Michael Riley
Balkans-set thriller / Feature film
"A masterpiece of bleak and savage storytelling" Ian White, Movieramblings
"A superb piece of art. A tragic tale of love, loss and death, this is one film you won't forget in a hurry." Damon Rickard, Screenjabber
HARD BOILED SWEETS
2012
Producer: Michael Riley
Crime thriller / Feature film
"The best British crime film in years. The stylish realisation of a sharp, darkly-humorous script" Britgeek, Aint-It-Cool
"Enjoyable. Entertaining. The witty writing never dips" Sophie Kaufman, Eye For Film
ZERO
2011
Producer: Michael Riley
Satirical drama / Feature film
A seriously weird, controversial and visually inventive modern day fable featuring director Ken Russell and Executive Produced by Nicolas Roeg.
THE THOMPSONS
2012
Executive Producer: Michael Riley
Horror thriller / Feature film
"Handled extremely well; fast and fun, there is no pretence here for anything other than a bloody ride" Naila Scargill, Exquisite Terror
"Spectacular. A sequel that surpasses its source material in every way" Horror Honeys
DEVIATION
2011
Co-producer: Michael Riley
Drama thriller / Feature film
"An atmospheric and claustrophobic thriller, dealing with all sorts of fears" Cine7
"Interesting and atmospheric" Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
THE GOOD TIMES ARE KILLING ME
2009
UK Producer: Michael Riley
Drama thriller / TV movie
A successful lawyer finds herself in rehab where she befriends a couple of oddballs who help her crack an important case.
FRENCH FILM
2009
Co-producer: Michael Riley
Romantic comedy / Feature film
"A sweet film. Will leave you with a warm glow inside" Coco Banjo, Blueprint Review
The homage to wry French movies is nicely done. The four leads are very good, all believable and personable, and Cantona makes one smile" Stuart O'Connor, Screenjabber
CHINA'S WILD WEST
2009
Producer: Michael Riley
Short documentary
“Visually compelling” One World Int. FF
“Austerely beautiful” True/False Int. FF
"Mesmerizing" Full Frame Int. FF
OUTLANDERS
2007
Producer: Michael Riley
Drama thriller / Feature film
“A compelling social realist drama that excels” Ben Hopkins, Clash Magazine
“Speaks volumes about the iniquitous treatment of illegal foreign workers in Britain”
Trevor Johnston, Sight and Sound
“A thoughtful thriller with a strong social conscience” Allan Hunter, Daily Express
WAITING
2007
Producer: Michael Riley
Turner Prize / Art installation film
"Full of atmosphere and formal beauty"
Richard Dorment. The Telegraph
"Visually Gripping"
Mark Hudson, The Mail On Sunday
THE MAN WHO WOULD BE QUEEN
2007
Co-producer: Michael Riley
Romantic comedy / Feature film
“Confidently directed and featuring the talents of some of the best UK actors around this smart British comedy will deliver more than a few guilty pleasures” Raindance FF
SUGARHOUSE
2007
Producer: Michael Riley
Drama thriller / Feature film
“A funny, furious, frightening film with magnetic performances”
Jason Solomons, The Observer
“Intense and unflinching. Fast-paced and menacing, be sure to catch it”
Angie Errigo, News Of The World
VAMPIRE DIARY
2005
Producer: Michael Riley
Experimental horror / Feature film
"Terrific. Loads of attitude. An artful epic"
Rich Cline, Shadows On The Wall
"Stunning. Devilishly feral”
Tirad Derak, Philadelphia Inquirer
“Moving, thought-provoking and gruesome” MJ Simpson
IN A LAND OF PLENTY
2001
Series Producer: Michael Riley
Family saga / TV drama serial
“One of the most acclaimed television series of all time” David Chater, The Sunday Times
“A breathtaking work of art” Jaci Stephen. The Mail on Sunday
"A remarkable production. Not, under any circumstances, to be missed"
Paul Hoggart, The Times
RESPECT
1998
Line Producer: Michael Riley
Love story / Feature film
A love story set during a hot summer in London’s Portobello district.
HARD MEN
1996
Line Producer: Michael Riley
Crime thriller / Feature film
“Impressive. Stylistic. Mixes black comedy, off-the-wall fantasy elements and
striking photography” Derek Elley, Variety
“Compelling and disgustingly funny”
Film Review
A GIRL AND A GUN
2006
Producer: Michael Riley
Crime thriller / Short film
“A crazy action thriller”
BT Vision Download Store
“Excellent, yet explicit. Sexy and violent”
i-Tunes Store Review
LAVA
2001
Producer: Michael Riley
Black comedy / Feature film
“Hilarious, unique and uncompromising”
Ryan Gilbey, The Independent
“Superb. Daring, dangerous, darkly hilarious” Nick Briggs, Film Review
“An extraordinary movie, determinedly original” Derek Malcolm, Midweek
OUT OF DEPTH
2000
Associate Producer: Michael Riley
Crime thriller / Feature film
“Touching, impressive, shocking. Truly a tragic tale”Liz Beardsworth, Empire
“Inevitably a classic. Remember where you were when you clapped eyes on it”
Bill Borrows, Maxim
LOOP
1997
Producer: Michael Riley
Romantic comedy / Feature film
“Witty and unpredictable, executed with style and confidence” Raindance FF
“Heartening... luminously photographed, rich and instinctive, a rare and mysterious excursion into Britain's unvisited corners"
Jonathan Coe, The New Statesman
BOSTON KICKOUT
1995
Line Producer: Michael Riley
Rites of passage drama / Feature film
“Resonates with painful truthfulness throughout” Screen International
“An electrifying British debut. Hard-nosed, cocky, vibrant and full of lip” Jake Hamilton, Empire
MOTHER'S DAY
1992
Producer/Director: Michael Riley
Drama / TV drama
"Influenced by Alan Bennett's 'Talking Heads', an elderly lady reflects on the changing relationships with her two sons"
Leeds International FF
FANTASPORTO
2013
CRITICS AWARD
THE SEASONING HOUSE
Producer: Michael Riley
Director: Paul Hyett
GIBARA IFF
2008
GRAND PRIZE
OUTLANDERS
Producer: Michael Riley
Director: Dominic Lees
MILAN IFF
2008
VAMPIRE DIARY
Producer: Michael Riley
Directors: Phil O'Shea/Mark James
BEST FILM
CINEBRAGA
2013
BEST FILM
THE SEASONING HOUSE
Producer: Michael Riley
Director: Paul Hyett
CINEPOBRE IFF
2008
BEST FILM
OUTLANDERS
Producer: Michael Riley
Director: Dominic Lees
KOLN CONFERENCE
2001
TOP 10 FICTION
IN A LAND OF PLENTY
Series Producer: Michael Riley
Directors: Dave Moore/Hettie Macdonald
MILE HIGH
HORROR FF
2013
CRITICS PRIZE
THE SEASONING HOUSE
Producer: Michael Riley
Director: Paul Hyett
CINEBRAGA
2007
BEST FILM
OUTLANDERS
Producer: Michael Riley
Director: Dominic Lees
SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
2001
IN COMPETITION
CHINA'S WILD WEST
Producer: Michael Riley
Director: Urszula Pontikos