PAT MILLS
writer and director

Anchor 1

Thanks for stopping by! Not sure what brought you here, but I’m glad it did.

I write and direct movies and TV. I do plenty of other things too, but you didn’t come here for that.

My first feature, the dark comedy Guidance, premiered at TIFF, sold to Netflix and was a New York Times Critics’ Pick. My second, Don’t Talk to Irene - starring Michelle McLeod (super) and Geena Davis (lovely) won Best Comedy Screenplay at the Austin Film Festival, also premiered at TIFF before playing festivals and theatres around the world.

It’s not all comedy, though. I laugh, cry, and scream in real life. My work should reflect that.

I have wide-ranging tastes - my ideal triple bill? the Canadian O.G slasher Black Christmas, Todd Haynes's Safe and the bonkers Romy and Michele - after surviving a slasher, environmental illness and a new age cult, you've definitely earned a Business Women's Special.

My third feature, the horror The Retreat, was released during the pandemic on Showtime and Hulu, where it hit #7 (not too shabby).

Recently, I’ve been directing episodic television (Run the Burbs, Strays) and MOWs. When I was approached to direct Lifetime’s first queer holiday movie The Christmas Setup starring real life husbands, Ben Lewis and Blake Lee, and icon Fran Drescher, I dove right in. Only a jerk would say no to that.

I've been nominated for a Director's Guild Award three times. Fourth time's the charm, I promise.

I live for new experiences and love a challenge. When the University of Toronto invited me to be their Screenwriter in Residence, I jumped at the chance to serve full Film Professor realness.

Don't worry - my use of 'realness' made me cringe, too.

I’ve been a director, writer, actor, mentor, and occasionally, a total idiot.

I’m here for a good time and a long time. I'm silly, cheeky, collaborative, and I always deliver. Laughs, longevity, and getting it done right is my mantra.

I continue to develop projects and have a few tricks up my sleeve. Get in touch and I'll tell you all about them.

So, let’s get into it. Watch my unhinged sizzle reel below (cut by the brilliant Gloria Tong).

Check out clips of my work [here].

If you're dying to read about me in the

third person, my “official” bio is [here].

Thanks again for coming by!

xo