Joe Stephenson is a renowned film director hailing from Sheffield, UK. His inaugural feature film, Chicken, made a stunning debut at the prestigious Edinburgh International Film Festival, subsequently garnering accolades across the festival circuit, including appearances at Busan, Giffoni, Tallinn Black Nights, Gijon, Dublin, and numerous other notable events. Upon its theatrical release in the UK in 2016, the film received widespread critical acclaim, with the BBC likening it to Ken Loach's KES, and praise such as "the kind of British indie which restores faith in cinema" echoing throughout the industry. Notably, Chicken went on to be acquired by MUBI UK and FILM4, and is now an integral part of the UK's Media Studies curriculum, being taught nationwide.
Stephenson's subsequent film, McKellen: Playing the Part, premiered at the Rome International Film Festival, with the feature documentary exploring the life and work of the esteemed Ian McKellen receiving widespread acclaim. Praised by The Hollywood Reporter as a film that "should join the small circle of high-level docs about the acting profession able to inspire newcomers," McKellen: Playing the Part maintained a rare 100% Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score upon its theatrical release worldwide, echoing the critical success of Chicken.
Stephenson's third film, Doctor Jekyll, offered a fresh and innovative take on the iconic character Jekyll/Hyde, featuring the groundbreaking casting of Eddie Izzard as the lead. Starring alongside Lindsay Duncan, Simon Callow, Jonathan Hyde, and others, the film was picked up by Hammer Studios for a relaunch of the iconic brand. Upon its theatrical release in the UK, Doctor Jekyll was praised as "a romp from start to finish, with Izzard giving Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing a run for their money" by Little White Lies, and "a refreshing throwback to Hammer's glory days" by SFX Magazine.
Most recently, Stephenson completed directing Midas Man, a biopic on the manager of The Beatles, Brian Epstein, starring Emily Watson, Eddie Marsan, Jay Leno, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Milo Parker, and Eddie Izzard. Slated for release in 2024, Midas Man promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience.
