Derik Murray, the founder and creative force behind Network Entertainment, started his journey in film through photography. As a renowned advertising photographer and television commercial director, he built a reputation for delivering award-winning work. He leveraged these skills to launch a boutique publishing and packaging studio, producing large-format pictorial books on global icons like Muhammad Ali and Wayne Gretzky.
Inspired by his publishing projects, Derik produced and directed his first television production, transforming his book Hockey Hall of Fame Legends into a documentary series. This historic success earned him the nickname "Ken Burns of Canada" and recognition from The Hockey News as one of the game's "Top 100 People of Power and Influence."
Derik then established Network Entertainment, focusing on premium documentary film and television production. His first project was Facing Ali, a feature documentary on Muhammad Ali, which was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2010. Leveraging this success, he created a slate of premium documentary content, including the award-winning I AM series, which now boasts 14 films.
Derik has collaborated with renowned pop culture icons, including John Varvatos and Iggy Pop on the PUNK series, and Robert Downey Jr. on The Age of A.I. series. His recent projects include a feature documentary on Sidney Poitier, Women Who Rock, and high-profile feature documentaries and documentary series, such as a Sly Stone film directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and a 10-part series Legends of Hockey: Greatness Calling.
Derik's work has been recognized by leading awards shows, including the Oscars, Emmys, and Realscreen Awards. His films have screened at prestigious film festivals like TIFF, Tribeca, and SXSW, and have generated high-profile broadcast media attention and articles in top publications like The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Forbes, Washington Post, and Rolling Stone.
