In 1998, David Leader moved from the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, to the fjords of Norway. That same year he founded Leader Films. Today Leader Films owns nearly 20 years experience and dedication in three areas: creating high-quality, original content for cinema and television; co-producing with strategic, international partners; and providing professional production services. Leader Films has earned a strong reputation with regional financers and partners, and enjoys valuable ties to continental Europe and North America.
David graduated Cum Laude in 1998 from Boise State University as an National Honors Student and member of Excellent Young Americans. He earned his Interdisciplinary BA with an emphasis on film theory, creative writing, history and media production. He owns 20 years experience within writing, producing, directing and production management, and has worked in Scandinavia, USA, Brazil, Europe, and Algeria.
In 2013, David co-founded and chaired Norway’s first regional producer’s forum, Produsentforum Rogaland. In 2014 the Norwegian Film Institute selected David to the five-member Norwegian team represented at the Berlinale 2014 Co-Production Market. The same year, Filmkraft Rogaland awarded David a full-ride scholarship to MEDIA’s acclaimed Media Business School, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, where he earned his Master degree in audiovisual management, graduating among the top five in his class.
In addition to creating his own projects, David also writes creative, distribution and marketing strategies for other producers. He has consulted on over 60 international feature and TV projects from Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, UK and USA.
Prior to pursuing film, David competed as a professional freestyle skier, and in the off-season worked as a wildland firefighter.
