David L. Williams (film director)

David L Williams is a British and American film director, writer and producer living in London. An active film campaigner in Rwanda (Genocide)[1][2] and Liberia (Deforestation) his commercial work with UK production house Shooting Pictures has led to collaborations with comedians including Dom Joly, Russell Brand, and Alistair McGowan. His debut cinema feature, the Arctic comedy Beyond the Pole,[3] was his first attempt to fuse comedy with his campaigning work[4] and was supported by Friends of the Earth.[5] In November 2010 Williams collaborated with members of The Fast Show team to campaign for the Sustainable Livestock Bill, legislation designed to protect the Amazonian rainforest and support more local, planet friendly farming.[6]

For other people named David L. Williams, see David L. Williams (disambiguation).

David L. Williams
David L. Williams with Helen Baxendale at Beyond the Pole premiere
OccupationFilm director, writer, and producer
Citizenship
GenreDrama, comedy, documentary
PartnerHelen Baxendale
Children3, including Nell Williams

Career

Williams began his career as an actor, working regularly with theatre director Matthew Lloyd at the Almeida Theatre, Leicester Haymarket and Glasgow Citizens Theatre, where he met his partner, Helen Baxendale. Television and film roles included playing opposite Michael Elphick, and Tom Hollander in the BBC's "Harry", and a lead for two series in Russell T Davies BAFTA winning, "The Ward".

Moving behind the camera Williams founded Shooting Pictures in 2000 with Baxendale, and has since led more than a 100 shoots across 5 continents. His television comedy, Flyfishing, starring Frances Barber and Kate Ashfield, sold to over 30 countries.

In 2009 Williams directed, produced and co-wrote the multi-award-winning Arctic comedy, Beyond the Pole, for Shooting Pictures. Premiering in the Best of British strand at the Glasgow International Film Festival, Beyond the Pole went on to win 9 awards on the festival circuit in America and Europe,[7] before its UK cinema release. Starring Stephen Mangan, Rhys Thomas, Mark Benton and Alexander Skarsgard, the film was shot on floating sea ice off the coast of Greenland.[8]

Personal life

Williams has been with his girlfriend Helen Baxendale since the early to mid-1990s. The couple have three children, including actress Nell Williams.

References
  1. "SURF – An orphans village – Official Site". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.. URL retrieved on 26 July 2010
  2. "SURF – a survivors testimony – Official Site". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.. URL retrieved on 24 July 2010
  3. "Beyond the Pole – Official Site". Archived from the original on 7 August 2010.. URL retrieved on 24 July 2010
  4. Elley, Derek (10 January 2010). "VARIETY"..URL retrieved on 24 July 2010
  5. "Friends of the Earth – Official Site".. URL retrieved on 24 July 2010
  6. "Friends of the Earth – Moodunnit?"..URL retrieved on 5 November 2010
  7. "IMDB – Director Q+A".. URL retrieved on 26 July 2010
  8. "CITY LIFE".. URL retrieved on 26 July 2010
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