We are a leading independent feature film production company producing distinctive and high quality feature films in all genres and intended for international theatrical release. We have an established track record of commercial and critical success: films in which we've been involved have earned over 80 awards, nominations and festival selections and all have found international distribution.
Our credits include the widely acclaimed TEN MINUTES OLDER project, a cycle of films directed by Aki Kaurismaki, Victor Erice, Werner Herzog, Jim Jarmusch, Wim Wenders, Spike Lee, Chen Kaige, Bernardo Bertolucci, Mike Figgis, Jiri Menzel, Istvan Szabo, Claire Denis, Volker Schlondorff, Michael Radford and Jean-Luc Godard (Official Selections of the Cannes, Berlin and Venice film festivals); Ken Loach's films AE FOND KISS (winner of two awards at the Berlin Film Festival and nominated for The Golden Bear) and THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY (winner of the Palme D'Or and numerous other awards); Ray Gower's DARK CORNERS, starring Thora Birch (Official Selection, AFI Festival Los Angeles); Simon Hynd's thriller SENSELESS, starring Jason Behr (official selection, Sitges Film Festival); the action horror film OUTPOST, directed by Steve Barker; BROKEN LINES with Paul Bettany; Kenny Glanaan’s SUMMER starring Robert Carlyle (Official Selection at the Edinburgh International Film Fesitval, nominated for the Michael Powell award); CLIVE BARKER’S BOOK OF BLOOD with Jonas Armstrong and Sophie Ward; PRINCESS KA’IULANI starring Q’Orianka Kilcher; and HEARTLESS with Jim Sturgess and Timothy Spall.
2006 saw the launch of the Cinema companies, a joint UK production initiative between Matador Pictures and Regent Capital plc, providing up to 30% of the budgets of British qualifying films. CINEMA ONE was launched and completed its fundraising in 2006. The first Cinema One project, OUTPOST, has been acquired by Sony Pictures and the second, CLIVE BARKER’S BOOK OF BLOOD, is in post-production. CINEMA TWO was launched and completed its fundraising in March 2007. Its first project, BROKEN LINES, is in post-production and its second project, SUMMER, will premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. HEARTLESS, Cinema Two’s third project is currently shooting in London and the Isle of Man. CINEMA THREE debuted in autumn 2007 and its first project, the second adaptation from Clive Barker’s Books of Blood short stories, DREAD is in pre-production.
Matador Pictures was co-founded in 1999 by Nigel Thomas. Prior to that he ran Movie Screen Entertainment, a television and feature film production company, and was co-founder of the film and television production and sales company Alibi Communications serving as a main board director of the AIM-listed company and managing director of Alibi Pictures, its feature film production subsidiary. He is a member of BAFTA and the European Film Academy.
Lauri Apelian joined Matador Pictures in 2000, and runs the company's Los Angeles office. Formerly an agent representing clients such as Wolfgang Petersen and double Palme d'Or winning Bille August, she co-founded Threshold Entertainment with Larry Kasanoff, where her producing credits included the blockbuster hit MORTAL KOMBAT. A well-known figure in the Los Angeles film community, she is a member of the Producers' Guild of America, IFP-West and BAFTA-LA. She is an invited guest speaker at classes and events organised by the American Film Institute and UCLA.
Charlotte Walls joined Matador in 2004 as Head of Development having graduated with first class honours from the London College of Communication's Filmmaking degree and has been working as Associate or Executive Producer on Matador’s feature films since 2005.
Lucia Lopez joined Matador Pictures in 2008 after completing a Screenwriting MA at the London Film School. She is currently working as Production and Development Assistant.
We're happy to welcome Eleanor Green to the Matador Pictures team as part of the Film London Company Placement Scheme, a six month paid placement for a new entrant to the film and moving image sector.