David L. Williams is a British-American film director, writer, and producer living in London. An active film campaigner in Rwanda (Genocide) and Liberia (Deforestation), his commercial work with the UK production house Shooting Pictures has led to collaborations with comedians including

Dom Joly Dominic John Romulus Joly (; born 15 November 1967) is an English comedian and writer. He is best known as the star of ''Trigger Happy TV'' (2000–2003), a hidden camera prank show that was broadcast in over 70 countries worldwide. Early life ...

Russell Brand Russell Edward Brand (born 4 June 1975) is an English comedian and actor known for his flamboyant, loquacious style and manner. Brand has received three British Comedy Awards: Best Newcomer (2006), Best Live Stand-Up (2008), and the award for ...

, and

Alistair McGowan Alistair Charles McGowan (born 24 November 1964) is an English impressionist, comic, actor, singer and writer best known to British audiences for ''The Big Impression'' (formerly ''Alistair McGowan's Big Impression''), which was, for four years ...

. His debut cinema feature, the Arctic comedy ''

Beyond the Pole ''Beyond the Pole'' is a 2009 British mockumentary adapted from the cult BBC radio series of the same name. It received its UK cinema release in 2010. Directed and produced by David L. Williams ''Beyond the Pole'' was shot on floating sea ice ...

'', was his first attempt to fuse comedy with his campaigning work and was supported by

Friends of the Earth Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) is an international network of environmental organizations in 73 countries. The organization was founded in 1969 in San Francisco by David Brower, Donald Aitken and Gary Soucie after Brower's split with ...

. In November 2010 Williams collaborated with members of The Fast Show team to campaign for the Sustainable Livestock Bill, legislation designed to protect the Amazonian rainforest and support more local, planet friendly farming.

Career

Williams began his career as an actor, working regularly with theatre director Matthew Lloyd at the Almeida Theatre, Leicester Haymarket and

Glasgow Citizens Theatre The Citizens Theatre, in what was the Royal Princess's Theatre, is the creation of James Bridie and is based in Glasgow, Scotland as a principal Producing house, producing theatre. The theatre includes a 500-seat Main Auditorium, and has also i ...

, where he met his partner,

Helen Baxendale Helen Victoria Baxendale (born 7 June 1970) is an English actress of stage and television, known for her roles as Rachel Bradley in the British comedy drama '' Cold Feet'' (1997–2003), and Emily Waltham in the American sitcom '' Friends'' (19 ...

. Television and film roles included playing opposite

Michael Elphick Michael John Elphick (19 September 1946 – 7 September 2002) was an English film and television actor. He played the eponymous private investigator in the ITV series ''Boon'' and Harry Slater in BBC's ''EastEnders''. He was nominated for ...

, and Tom Hollander in the BBC's "Harry", and a lead for two series in Russell T Davies BAFTA winning, "The Ward". Moving behind the camera Williams founded Shooting Pictures in 2000 with Baxendale, and has since led more than a 100 shoots across 5 continents. His television comedy, Flyfishing, starring Frances Barber and Kate Ashfield, sold to over 30 countries. In 2009 Williams directed, produced and co-wrote the multi-award-winning Arctic comedy, ''

'', for Shooting Pictures. Premiering in the Best of British strand at the Glasgow International Film Festival, ''Beyond the Pole'' went on to win 9 awards on the festival circuit in America and Europe, before its UK cinema release. Starring Stephen Mangan, Rhys Thomas, Mark Benton and

Alexander Skarsgard Alexander is a male given name. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Variants listed here are Aleksandar, Al ...

, the film was shot on floating sea ice off the coast of Greenland.. URL retrieved on 26 July 2010

Personal life

Williams has been with his girlfriend

since the early to mid-1990s. The couple have three children, including actress Nell Williams.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, David L. Living people English film directors English screenwriters English male screenwriters American film directors Place of birth missing (living people) American male screenwriters Year of birth missing (living people)