Michael Ryan

Background: International Sales & Theatrical Distribution.

Michael's film career started in 1972 at Lew Grade’s ITC. It continued when in 1978, together with Julia Palau, Michael formed his own film sales company, J&M Film Sales.  This company, became known as J&M Entertainment.

During his 21 years as Co-Chairman of J&M Entertainment Michael executive produced, financed and distributed some of the most influential and formative British films made during this time, including: The Running Man starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kiss Of The Spiderwoman, Sam Peckinpah's The Osterman Weekend, David Mamet's Homicide, Major League, Lasse Hallstrom's What's Eating Gilbert Grape, An American Werewolf in Paris, the multi Oscar winning The English Patient, and The General directed by John Boorman (Best Director at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival). In his role as a Distributor and Executive Producer he has overseen the production of over 120 feature films,

In 2000 he sold his interest in J&M, to the quoted German entertainment conglomerate InMotion. He later set up IAC/Sequence Film with Guy Collins maintaining that partnership until recently in Handmade Films International.

Michael is also renowned on both sides of the Atlantic for his 4 years as Chairman of IFTA, (The Independent Film and Television Alliance – formerly AFMA). Michael is the first non American to be elected to this prestigious position. While heading IFTA he helped establish the organisation as a hugely influential association of international independent film companies. He continues to sit on IFTA’s board.