Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1516530
>> Award-winning director/writer/producer Michael Dinner grew up in Denver, CO, where he dreamed of becoming a pitcher for the New York Yankees, Keith Richards, or John Ford. After graduating high school with a crummy curveball, Dinner spent a year attending college and playing music in clubs on the East Coast. He moved to Los Angeles to work as a songwriter for MCA, eventually becoming a solo artist for Fantasy Records and recording his first two albums, The Great Pretender and Tom Thumb the Dreamer, collaborating with Glenn Frey, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris. Later, he returned to Harvard, graduating cum laude in Irish studies before attending the American Film Institute (AFI). At AFI, Dinner began work as director/ writer on his first film, Miss Lonelyhearts. Starring Eric Roberts, the film screened at the Cannes Film Festival and was honored with the Prix de la Jeunesse, a special jury directing award and went on to win the Silver Lion at the Locarno Film Festival. Miss Lonelyhearts aired as part of the American Playhouse series on PBS. Simultaneously, Dinner began developing the script for Catholic Boys which became his American studio directorial debut and was selected as the opening film for the Deauville Film Festival. HONORARY FILMMAKER AWARD Michael Di nner "Part of the job as a filmmaker is to learn how to dance with your partner. I have had great partners, great sound and music editors in film and television. I have learned a lot from you—we have taught each other great steps. And I still get giddy every time we start to tell and embellish the story that we are putting in front of the audience." – M I C H A E L D I N N E R