Chris Hilleke is a multifaceted filmmaker with a rich and varied career spanning nearly two decades in the motion picture industry, with his base of operations located in Birmingham, Alabama. As a passionate independent filmmaker, he embodies a multifaceted approach to his craft, effortlessly assuming multiple roles including writing, editing, scoring, and directing.
Chris's illustrious career has been marked by a plethora of opportunities to traverse the globe, amassing a diverse array of cinematic experiences that span the realms of corporate videos, commercials, reality television, focus groups, short films, feature-length narrative films, and documentary films.
His esteemed portfolio boasts a eclectic mix of genres, including the suspenseful thriller, the risqué sex comedy, and the informative documentary, thereby exemplifying his remarkable versatility as a cinematographer.
Notable among his extensive repertoire of cinematography credits is a trifecta of feature-length films that showcase his versatility and skill behind the lens. One such notable credit is the thought-provoking thriller "A Horrible Way to Die", expertly directed by Adam Wingard, which pushed the boundaries of the genre with its gripping narrative and masterful cinematography.
Another notable credit is the sex comedy "Autoerotic", helmed by the acclaimed director Joe Swanberg, which brought a fresh and irreverent perspective to the often-maligned genre, thanks in no small part to the talented cinematography that captured its offbeat humor and charm.
Furthermore, his work on the HBO documentary "Gideon's Army", directed by the accomplished filmmaker Dawn Porter, was met with widespread acclaim, including a prestigious award for Best Editing in the US Documentary category at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, where the film premiered to great fanfare.
Notable individual Chris has had the distinct privilege of collaborating with a diverse array of prestigious corporate clients, including the iconic footwear brand Converse, the popular athletic apparel company Under Armour, the renowned agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere, the prominent television network HBO, and the esteemed automobile brand Mercedes-Benz.
Throughout his illustrious career, Chris's exceptional work has been showcased on a wide range of platforms, encompassing the Independent Film Channel, the popular lifestyle television network TLC, the culinary-focused television network Food Network, the home and garden-focused television network HGTV, the streaming giant Netflix, the independent film distributor Anchor Bay, and the esteemed television network HBO.
Chris's cinematic odyssey commenced with an ardent aspiration to forge meaningful connections with others through creative expression, thereby leaving a lasting impact on the world. As the years unfolded, he gradually edged closer to realizing his ambition. Amidst his work as a cinematographer, Chris has successfully accumulated a diverse repertoire of his own award-winning narrative and documentary short films, including the 2009 Sidewalk Film Festival's Audience Choice Award Winner "Some of What I Know About Tommy", a poignant cinematic masterpiece that poignantly captures the heart-wrenching struggles of a man grappling with Paranoid Schizophrenia amidst the intimate surroundings of his home neighborhood, Five Points South.
