about rise
RISE films founded in 2007 is a boutique Television and Film production company.
RISE’s first feature documentary, WE ARE TOGETHER (Channel 4/HBO/EMI, Dir. Paul Taylor) won 14 international awards. The second, ROUGH AUNTIES (Channel 4/HBO, Dir. Kim Longinotto) won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2009.
Recently completed films include COWBOYS IN INDIA for More4 and ITVS and ROAD TO LAS VEGAS for More4
Currently in production is, Ian Palmer’s 12-year epic documentary, KNUCKLE for Irish Film Board, BBC Storyville; THE INTERRUPTERS directed by Hoop Dreams Oscar Nominee, Steve James, and a world exclusive for BBC TWO on Caster Semenya.
RISE is now building a comedy slate. With a 'gang' of the most exciting comedy writers and writer/performers, RISE is providing a new home for emerging talent in which to develop projects with the support of the collective.
TEDDY LEIFER
Managing director
Teddy founded RISE films in 2007 and since then has produced or executive produced all of its films and television programmes. He began producing when he was 16, initially shorts directed by his brother, Sam including comedies, THE UNSTEADY CHOUGH, written by Terry Jones and THE 10th MAN which was nominated at the British Independent Film Awards. He met Paul Taylor at university and then produced Paul’s debut feature, WE ARE TOGETHER. He met Sam at home.
Manu Pandey
Production / development assistant
Manu started at RISE in June 2008. Having spent much of his youth training and working on shorts at the CFU (Children’s Film Unit) he has also worked as a Researcher and production assistant on programs such as NAKED SCIENCE for National Geographic. Manu received his placement at RISE through a competitive scheme run by Skillset which offers exciting placements in the film industry as well as continuous outside training from top industry professionals. RISE are always on the lookout for fresh and exciting projects and co productions, please feel free to email Manu to discuss any ideas.
SAM LEIFER
Head of comedy
Sam’s background is as a writer/director, working principally with Baby Cow Productions for the last few years. For them his credits include STUCK (BBC4), BRAVE YOUNG MEN (BBC3), the online sitcom WHERE ARE THE JONESES’ and the BIFA nominated short THE 10TH MAN. Elsewhere, he wrote on the recent series of MOVING WALLPAPER for ITV (Kudos) and acted as script consultant on FRESH! for BBC3 and LA LA LAND, Marc Wootton’s new series for Showtime U.S. He has recently co-written BARRY with Bo Selecta’s Leigh Francis for ITV and on ME & MY MONSTERS for BBC/Henson's. Sam also directs commercials through Bare Films.
PAUL TAYLOR
Director and exec producer, documentaries
Paul is a director, producer and co-founder of RISE films. He directed WE ARE TOGETHER, receiving numerous awards including prizes at EDINBURGH, TRIBECA, IDFA (AMSTERDAM), AMNESTY, ONE WORLD, a GRIERSON award and an IDA award. He is now producing a number of films with other directors for RISE and is developing new projects to direct himself.
Matt Jones
Production Accountant
After a brief stint at the BBC 15 years ago, Matt has spent almost his entire career to date working in the independent sector. He has held a variety of roles, including prodution manager, head of production, company manager, production accountant, company accountant, finance director. Matt now provides tailored accounting and financial control services to a portfolio of rather interesting media clients - including Rise Films.