Stephen Israel

London-born, LA-based, prolific indie producer Stephen Israel is still probably known best for "Swimming With Sharks" - one of the most damning commentaries on the "me too" workplace, which (ironically) launched the film career of Kevin Spacey. Sharks has subsequently been produced for the London stage starring Christian Slater, before going on to Mexico (starring Damien Bechir), Paris (starring Thomas Longman) and Tokyo among others, and is in production as a TV series with Lionsgate TV. Stephen's numerous other credits include some of the best loved gay films - such as 2007's "Boy Culture", "GBF" (2014) and 2016 Outfest audience award winner - "Miles", starring Independent Spirit Award-winner (and Superstar!) Molly Shannon. 2021 adds to that list with Udo Kier in "Swan Song" - which premiered at SxSW to incredible reviews for Udo's performance (along with Michael Urie, Jennifer Coolidge and Linda Evans). Stephen's most recent productions - the political thriller "Affairs of State", starring the breakout star of Ryan Murphy's "Hollywood", David Corenswet, along with Adrian Grenier, Mimi Rogers and Thora Birch and "Last Moment of Clarity", starring Samara Weaving and Golden Globe winner Brian Cox - are being distributed by Lionsgate - as is 2021's "The Gateway", starring Shea Whigham, Olivia Munn, Frank Grillo and the legendary Bruce Dern. As an innovator, Stephen was part of the team that produced "The Spot" - the world's first episodic series on the internet, in 1995. A little ahead of its time, he was the first to identify the concept of a network of episodic shows delivered via the web - which ultimately became 1995 tech startup American Cybercast, at which he served as SVP Development & Acquisitions. With broad corporate experience at Warner Bros., Turner Broadcasting, and top management consulting firm Booz.Allen & Hamilton, Stephen adds seasoned management & financial expertise to hands-on production in film. Stephen is also a trained rocket scientist and a Royal Air Force marksman (seriously).