Martin Stitt
Martin Stitt
Family Jewels
He graduated from Oxford University with an honors degree in Biological Sciences. Reached the rank of Captain in the British Army serving with both the Royal Green Jackets and the 10th Gurkha Rifles. He served on operations in Northern Ireland and Kosovo and was based in Hong Kong and Nepal. Following this, he worked as a Banker in Hong Kong, Thailand, India and the United Kingdom. The combining thread for this eclectic career path was a love of photojournalism. Martin spent his free time collecting stories and photos from countries and areas such as Afghanistan, Mongolia, Central Asia, the Himalayas and Central Africa.
Armed with a portfolio of photos and a notebook full of stories, he then embarked on a career in the Film Industry.
In the last eight years, Martin has studied at the London Film School, directed a documentary in Kosovo, produced a TV series for United Nations TV, written six feature scripts, and directed an hour-long drama ‘Alone Together’ based on the stage play ‘Rules of Engagement’. He has directed a number of commercials and short films, which have played at major festivals around the world. In addition he teaches at Mountview Academy of the Dramatic Arts in London and has been a regular reviewer of film for BBC Radio 5 Live.
Martin wrote and directed the short film ‘What Does Your Daddy Do?’ which premiered at the 2006 Venice Film Festival in Italy. The film picked up awards at festivals around the world, most notable of which was a nomination for a BIFA (British Independent Film Award).
In 2007, Martin was invited to attend the Directing Program at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, where he was awarded a Sloan Scholarship and an Alumni Scholarship. In addition he was selected for the BAFTA LA Newcomers Scheme. His thesis film ‘Family Jewels’ was selected to premiere at the 2009 Venice Film Festival. The film went on to receive a US premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
