Neil J. Gardiner M.A: Director, Head of Distribution
Neil has a BA in Business / MA in English Literature and began his career working in the Spanish finance centre as an intern for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, it was here that he first realised his passion for business. During his time here he discovered the potential tax breaks available for independent Spanish productions and the incentives and benefits available for the investors in the film and television.
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Neil has a great understanding of the worldwide film and television markets and is regularly involved in major film festivals. Neil has developed scripts with a number of acclaimed writers and directors including the BAFTA-winning Director, Robert Young. He has also dedicated himself to working on international co-production financing and marketplace distribution in the UK.
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Neil’s wealth of experience in film production and unparalleled distribution and marketing throughout the world makes him an indispensable member of the Clever Films Productions team. Neil will be responsible for overseeing the quality and standard needed to maximise distribution on projects.
In 1995 he struck up a partnership with Manolo Ramirez and Pepe Cavoros, both very established individuals in the production and distribution of original Spanish content and together they established 21st Century Productions (Spain). 21st Century Productions went on to become a leader in providing finance structures for Spanish and Hispanic features films and television programming. Over ten years the company went on to raise over $25 million in film production financing. It worked on the financing and distribution of over 20 independent features in all American territories.
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As one of the directors of 21st Century Productions and an enthusiastic producer, Neil has a great understanding of the worldwide film and television markets and is regularly involved in major film festivals. Neil has developed scripts with a number of acclaimed writers and directors including the BAFTA-winning Director, Robert Young. He has also dedicated himself to working on international co-production financing and marketplace distribution in the UK. Following his success on a number of projects, Neil was headhunted to produce the
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$6 million Brit hit “Back In Business”, directed by Academy Award winner Chris Munro.
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In the summer of 2017 following many successful years in the film and television sector and whilst continuing to work on film financing and distribution. Neil created a partnership with individuals within the property sector in Spain to create CostaSpace, now a successful property company located in Marbella, that works with the leading developers on the coasts. Their primary focus is dealing with high net worth clients from around the world.
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Neil’s wealth of experience in film production, distribution and marketing and unparalleled knowledge of media investment offers and schemes throughout the world makes him an indispensable member of the Clever Films team.
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Neil is also a member of the American Film Institute, The Directors Guild and the Writers Guild of Great Britain.
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IMDB producers link https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1954127/
