Biography

Michael Lavelle I.S.C. studied both Cinematography and Direction at the National Film School of Ireland and then completed an MA in Screenwriting.

As a cinematographer, a short graduation film he shot called UNDRESSING MY MOTHER went on to screen at Critics Week in Cannes and received a special mention at Sundance. It went on to win the European Academy Award for Best Short Film in 2005.

His debut documentary feature film HIS & HERS premiered at Sundance in 2010 where Michael shared the World Cinema Cinematography Award for Documentary. Asako Fujioka, on behalf of the Sundance jury, praised cinematography: "for its Vermeer like qualities and formal restraint".

PATRICK'S DAY, Michael's debut dramatic feature film, received its world premiere at SXSW 2014 and in 2015 he was nominated for an IFTA for his work on the film. At Woodstock Film Festival, Michael was awarded the Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography. Wexler said that he gave the award "based on what I consider true cinematography, not just on the traditional dexterity. Michael Lavelle's work on "Patrick's Day" shows a profound understanding of the story and his ability to employ DP skills is subtle in unselfconscious ways to subliminally involve the viewer."

He has shot three TV series and has just completed principal photography on his twelfth feature film. In 2018, FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY received its World Premiere at TIFF where it went on to win the Critics Award (FIRPRESCI Award). He was recently named by Variety as Irish Cinematography's "rising star".

Michael also works extensively as a writer and director. He wrote and directed the multi award winning short film 'Out of the Blue', described as boasting "excellent performances, vivid production design and an economy of story-telling that mark the director as a talent to look out for in the future".

In 2011 he was nominated for the Berlinale Today Award for 'Mummy's Little Helper', which he wrote and directed. In 2012, he was the writer/director on the short Screeen Ireland Award film 'Cluck' which was nominated for an IFTA in 2014.

His debut feature screenplay '6 Hours' won the Irish Playwright's & Screenwriter's Guild Award for Screenwriting at the National Film School and is in development with Screen Ireland. Michael is attached to direct.

In 2012 he attended the Binger Director's Film Lab in Amsterdam. He was also selected for Guiding Lights, the UK film industry's most prestigious mentoring program, and was mentored by Lone Scherfig ('An Education').
- IMDb mini biography by: Bernard Denis

Michael Lavelle I.S.C. has shot three TV series and 14 feature films. In 2018, Float Like a Butterfly received its world premiere at TIFF, where it won the Critics Award (FIPRESCI Prize). Lavelle was recently named by Variety as Irish cinematography's "rising star." Lavelle studied both cinematography and directing at the National Film School of Ireland before earning his M.A. in screenwriting. He also has attended the Binger Filmlab in Amsterdam and was selected for Guiding Lights, the U.K. film industry's most prestigious director mentoring program, where Lavelle was mentored by Lone Scherfig (An Education). Lavelle shot a short film called Undressing My Mother that screened at International Critics' Week in Cannes and received a special mention at Sundance. It went on to win the European Academy Award for Best Short Film in 2005. His debut documentary feature film, His & Hers, premiered at Sundance in 2010 with Lavelle winning the World Cinema Cinematography Award for Documentary Film. Patrick's Day, Lavelle's debut dramatic feature as cinematographer, received its world premiere at SXSW 2014 and in 2015 he was nominated for an IFTA Award for his work on the film. At the Woodstock Film Festival Lavelle was honored with the Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography. Lavelle also works extensively as a writer and director. In 2008 he wrote and directed the multiple- award-winning short film Out of the Blue and in 2011 Lavelle was nominated for the Berlinale Today Award for Mummy's Little Helper. Next he was the writer/director on the short Screen Ireland Award film Cluck, which was nominated for an IFTA Award in 2014. Lavelle's debut feature screenplay, 6 Hours, won the Irish Playwrights & Screenwriters Guild Award for Screenwriting at the National Film School and is in development with Screen Ireland. He is attached to direct.
- IMDb mini biography by: C.L.