Michael Swanson, an innovative entrepreneur and movie producer, is president and CEO of Faith Filmworks, Inc., an independent motion picture production company formed in 1997 to develop and produce high quality, truly moving and entertaining films that have moral resonance and commercial viability.
Michael is often touted for his keen insight, cutting edge creativity and sharp business acumen and has been a consultant on numerous film projects and business ventures. Michael has also produced countless feature, documentary and short films to critical and audience acclaim over the past 17 years.
Most recently, Michael produced the 2008 romantic drama feature film, All About Us, written and directed by his wife and high school sweetheart, Christine Swanson. All About Us stars Boris Kodjoe and Ryan Bathé with Academy Award nominee Ruby Dee and a special appearance by Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman.
Michael also produced Christine Swanson’s “indie classic” romantic comedy feature film, All About You, starring Renee Goldsberry, Terron Brooks, LisaRaye, Rockmond Dunbar and Debbie Allen. After winning several film festival awards, including the coveted Audience Choice Award for Best Domestic Film at The Chicago International Film Festival; Michael designed and spearheaded a 13-city All About You tour and secured HBO as the tour’s co-sponsor with Faith Filmworks. The tour kicked off inside an 850-seat auditorium at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. More than 5,000 persons attended the event within a 10-day span during the Chicago run alone.
The All About You movie tour went on to enjoy tremendous financial success in each city before becoming the best-selling movie title in the history of its home entertainment distributor. Michael also executive produced the popular All About You soundtrack album with American Idol music director Rickey Minor producing each original song on the project.
In 2004, Michael was commissioned by the University of Notre Dame to develop concepts for and produce national commercials starring actor Martin Sheen and television personality Regis Philbin. The spots were awarded gold medals for best commercials by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
Michael’s acclaimed short film, Two Seasons, was a Student Academy Award semi-finalist and a 1999 Sundance Film Festival official selection. Two Seasons won the Warner Bros. Pictures Production Award and the HBO Short Film Competition Grand Prize, garnering The Swansons an HBO development deal. Two Seasons also toured throughout Japan in the Short Shorts Film Festival and periodically airs on cable television and PBS in the United States.
In 1995, after a stint in Princeton Theological Seminary’s Master of Divinity program, Michael joined the NBC Television Network’s national primetime sales team in New York City and co-managed corporate accounts reaching $30 million each. Michael was also a part of the NBC “Must See TV” primetime sales team that was the first in network television history to book over $2 billion in advertising revenue during an upfront selling period.
A Chicago native, Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Film from the University of Notre Dame and received the Rev. Arthur S. Harvey Award for his achievements in the arts from its Alumni Association as well as the Exemplar Award from the Black Alumni of Notre Dame.
Michael has been featured in numerous publications and television segments and is frequently invited by colleges and universities to present his captivating lectures on business, filmmaking and the entertainment industry.
In 2009, Michael became an adjunct film professor in the Department of Communication Arts at Johnson C. Smith University and is currently developing three feature film projects. Michael and his wife are the proud parents of four children.
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