Pat Mills, a multi-talented individual, made his feature film debut with the dark comedy Guidance, which he wrote, directed, and starred in. The film premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received widespread acclaim. Guidance was subsequently picked up by Strand Releasing in the USA and Search Engine Films in Canada, and was praised by critics, including the Los Angeles Times, which hailed it as a "Grade A" comedy. The film's success was further solidified when Pat's performance as "David" earned him a nomination for an Actra Award for Outstanding Male Performance.
Pat's impressive credentials also include being an alumnus of several prestigious programs, including the National Screen Institute (NSI),the Canadian Film Centre (CFC),and the Toronto International Film Festival's (TIFF) Talent lab and TIFF Studio. His second feature, Don't Talk to Irene, was a standout, winning numerous awards and accolades, including the Best Comedy Screenplay at the Austin Screenplay Competition. The film premiered at TIFF 2017 and went on to win several awards, including the Comedy Vanguard Feature Award and Audience Award at the 2017 Austin Film Festival, as well as two Canadian Comedy Awards: Best Writing in a Feature and Best Feature.
Pat's talent and dedication have not gone unnoticed, as he was listed as one of MovieMaker Magazine's 25 Screenwriters to Watch and was appointed as the University of Toronto's Universal Studios Screenwriter-in-Residence for the 2018-19 academic year. He is represented by Great North Artists Management in Canada and Verve Talent and Literary Agency in the USA, further solidifying his position as a rising star in the film industry.
Pat's journey as a filmmaker is a testament to his hard work, creativity, and perseverance. From his early days as a writer, director, and actor to his current status as a respected and award-winning filmmaker, Pat Mills is an inspiration to anyone looking to make a name for themselves in the competitive world of film.
