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 Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2009.

Since then RISE films has made COWBOYS IN INDIA for More4 and ITVS and ROAD TO LAS VEGAS for More4.

Recently completed films include Ian Palmer's 14-year epic documentary, KNUCKLE for the Irish Film Board, BBC and Revolver Entertainment and THE INTERRUPTERS directed by Hoop Dreams Oscar Nominee, Steve James.  Both KNUCKLE and THE INTERRUPTERS had their world premieres at The 2011 Sundance Film Festival and received cinema releases in the UK and US.  RISE also recently made a world exclusive for BBC TWO on the controversial runner, Caster Semenya and produced Kirby Dick's controversial new film, THE INVISIBLE WAR, which won the Audience Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

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.  RISE has a first-look deal for comedy with Universal Pictures and is developing a drama series at HBO which Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting) is writing.

 

 

TEDDY LEIFER

Managing Director




 

Teddy 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 founded RISE films in 2007. He has since produced or executive produced all of its films and television programmes including WE ARE TOGETHER, ROUGH AUNTIES, COWBOYS IN INDIA, MUSLIM SCHOOL, ROAD TO LAS VEGAS, KNUCKLE and THE INTERRUPTERS.  He also produced the BBC THREE sitcom pilot, BRAVE YOUNG MEN.  Teddy Executive Produced Kirby Dick's most recent film, THE INVISIBLE WAR which won the Audience Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.  He is currently developing Sam's romantic comedy feature, 12 MEALS WITH MANDY MOON with the BFI and Executive Producing a drama series at HBO which is being written by Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting).

JOHN STACK
Assistant Producer



John has worked up the ranks in RISE Films since his arrival here fresh out of university in 2010.  Since then he has worked on TOO FAST TO BE A WOMAN?, KNUCKLE and THE INTERRUPTERS in  a variety of roles.  He is also involved in the development of new projects and runs the general day to day of RISE Films.



SAM LEIFER
Head of Comedy




 

Sam’s background is as a writer/director. For Baby Cow 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 MOVING WALLPAPER (ITV), ME & MY MONSTERS (BBC) and SECOND WIND (CBS). Sam recently directed series three and the Christmas Special of HOW NOT TO LIVE YOUR LIFE for BBC3 and is developing a feature 12 MEALS WITH MANDY MOON with the BFI. Sam also directs commercials through Bare Films. He oversees Rise's comedy slate.

 




PAUL TAYLOR
Director, 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 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.