Michael Lavelle I.S.C. pursued a dual education in Cinematography and Direction at the National Film School of Ireland, followed by a Master's degree in Screenwriting.
As a cinematographer, his short graduation film UNDRESSING MY MOTHER gained international recognition, screening at Critics Week in Cannes and receiving a special mention at Sundance, ultimately winning the European Academy Award for Best Short Film in 2005.
Michael's debut documentary feature film HIS & HERS premiered at Sundance in 2010, where he shared the World Cinema Cinematography Award for Documentary, praised by Sundance jury member Asako Fujioka for its "Vermeer like qualities and formal restraint".
PATRICK'S DAY, Michael's debut dramatic feature film, received its world premiere at SXSW in 2014 and earned him an IFTA nomination for his work on the film, as well as the Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography at Woodstock Film Festival.
Wexler praised Michael's work, stating that he gave the award "based on what I consider true cinematography, not just on the traditional dexterity. Michael Lavelle's work on "Patrick's Day" shows a profound understanding of the story and his ability to employ DP skills is subtle in unselfconscious ways to subliminally involve the viewer".
Michael has since worked on three TV series and completed principal photography on his twelfth feature film, which received its World Premiere at TIFF in 2018 and won the Critics Award (FIRPRESCI Award).
He was named by Variety as Irish Cinematography's "rising star" and has also worked extensively as a writer and director.
Michael wrote and directed the multi award-winning short film 'Out of the Blue', described as boasting "excellent performances, vivid production design and an economy of story-telling that mark the director as a talent to look out for in the future".
He was nominated for the Berlinale Today Award for 'Mummy's Little Helper', which he wrote and directed, and for the Screeen Ireland Award film 'Cluck', which he wrote and directed and was nominated for an IFTA in 2014.
Michael's debut feature screenplay '6 Hours' won the Irish Playwright's & Screenwriter's Guild Award for Screenwriting at the National Film School and is in development with Screen Ireland, with Michael attached to direct.
He attended the Binger Director's Film Lab in Amsterdam in 2012 and was selected for Guiding Lights, the UK film industry's most prestigious mentoring program, where he was mentored by Lone Scherfig ('An Education').
