Aria-Award Nominated Director Michael Hili Joins the Finch Roster

Michael is an awarded and visionary director of commercials and music videos. His clip for the musician Flume, ‘Say Nothing’, was nominated for an ARIA and a YDA (Young Director’s Award).

In the world of commercials, Michael has directed sumptuous and surprising work for the likes of Romance is Born and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, and he has a moving and visually innovative film for the Brain Cancer Council releasing shortly.

Michael was born into a family of mechanics, and studied science before becoming an arborist. This fascination with process, tactility, and using his hands informed his shift into creative work – he began his career as a NIDA-graduated production designer working across theatre and film. 

That led to a celebrated career in the world of music videos, with Michael helming clips for the likes of The Killers, Aurora, and The Lemon Twigs.

Michael came to the moving image with that rarest of things – a distinctive and fully-formed sensibility. He is a conceptually minded artist, who cares about human stories, and though his work is noted for its visual flair, his use of colour and texture is always rooted in what the piece is trying to say.

“Every now and then, a filmmaker comes along that genuinely sees things differently,” said Rob Galluzzo, CEO of FINCH. “Michael Hili is that kind of filmmaker. His knowledge of tactile and sculptural filmmaking techniques, from stop motion to painted backdrops to CGI, makes him a unique voice in the industry.”

A genuine polymath, Michael brings his diverse range of technical skills to bear with every story that he tells. The result is work that feels handmade, in all the senses of that word – human, warm, and original.

“I’m trying to produce work that ignites the part of the brain that is childlike; that is reserved for imagination and wonder,” Michael said. “Film is a visual medium first and foremost. I make sure I never forget that.”

Watch more of Michael Hili’s work here.