David Lawson

David Lawson started his film producing career in film festival programming and distribution in the mid 1980’s. He was head of distribution, marketing and festivals for the seminal film group the Black Audio Film Collective,launching its groundbreaking films Handsworth Songs and Testament theatrically in the UK.

Together with the acclaimed director John Akomfrah and his co-Producer  Lina Gopaul, he set up the production company Smoking Dogs Films in 1998 to make a range creative audio visual work including creative documentaries, feature films, film installations and music videos.

David has produced a range of highly acclaimed and award winning films including :

URBAN SOUL –THE MAKING OF MODERN R n’ B (90 minutes BBC) featuring in depth interviews with Beyonce, Wycleff, Mary J Blige and Bobby Brown;

STAN TRACEY – THE GODFATHER OF BRITISH JAZZ ( 70 minutes BBC ) Grierson Award nomination

RIOT, a film on the 1981 Riots in the UK,(60 minutes Channel Four UK)

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF LOUIS ARMSTRONG (75 minutes BBC TV/BRAVO) narrated by Hollywood actor Danny Glover,

GOLDIE – WHEN SATURN RETURNZ ( 60 minutes , Channel Four ).

MARIAH CAREY -THE BILLION DOLLAR BABE’ ( 50 minutes , Channel Four UK)

He has also  produced  the music video “Walking” for Lauryn Hill, directed by John Akomfrah  and co- produced with Lina Gopaul

In 2009, his documentary OIL SPILL- THE EXXON VALDEZ DISASTER (60 minutes BBC) , was awarded the best film prize and Best Director (for John Akomfrah) at the Campulang International Film Festival in Romania.

David has sat on various awards and festival committees including the Royal Television Society Arts documentary awards panel and the PACT Diversity Committee.

His most recent feature film THE NINE MUSES was screened at the 2010 Venice Biennale and subsequently at the 2010 London Film Festival and is due for international theatrical release in 2011.