Biography

Michael Knowles finished shooting on his eleventh feature 'Spider Island' for Vertigo in 2025. The film is being sold by Protagonist,.

His previous films include, 'Book of Love' starring Sam Claflin and Veronica Echugui which was sold worldwide by XYZ. The film was No.2 in Amazon US and won an Imagen award for Best Primetime Movie. Michael also wrote songs for the film with Peter EJ Lee.

The Pebble and the Boy starring Patsy Kensit was released in the UK in 2021 in over 100 cinemas. Running Naked starring Mathew McNulty, Andrew Gower, Rahkee Thakrar and Tamzin Merchant was released in early 2021. The film was directed by Emmy and Oscar nominated Victor Buhler. Victor and Michael co wrote the script with Jennifer Knowles.

The drama Away starring Timothy Spall & Juno Temple was released in 2017. It premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival, was nominated for the Michael Powell Award & was selected for Best of the Fest. Away won a 'Hitchcock' Award in October 2016 at the Dinard Film Festival.

The mystery/ horror The Messenger starring Robert Sheehan, Lily Cole and Joely Richardson was released through Metrodome in the UK.

Michael's prior producing projects include Birthday, starring Stephen Mangan, written by Joe Penhall (The Road) & directed by Roger Michell (Notting Hill) that aired on Sky Arts in 2015 and won the FIPA d'Or; Best Laid Plans starring Stephen Graham & Maxine Peake was released through Sony Pictures in 2012 and 2009's A Boy Called Dad starring Ian Hart was selected for the Rome Film Festival & sold to the BBC.

Michael's project Snodgrass (aka John Lives) starring Ian Hart imagines a 50 year-old John Lennon on the dole having left the Beatles in 1963. Aired as part of Sky's 2013 Playhouse series, the project was hailed by London's Time Out as a 'mini masterpiece.' Michael is developing a feature length version to be shot in 2022.

Michael's film influences are many & varied. He is proud to acknowledge his early mentorship from Andrew Eaton through the UK's Guiding Lights scheme & is grateful to have had the opportunity to work with actor Pete Postlethwaite on one of his last films, Waving at Trains.

Michael was nominated for a BAFTA for 'Talking with Angels'.

Michael is also a songwriter & has contributed songs to several films. He also Exec'd Elbow's video 'Lost Worker Bee' and produced 'Second' by the Sleaford Mods. His current band is Wintergreen.

Michael has just been awarded a doctorate from Staffordshire University.
- IMDb mini biography by: Michael Knowles