Dan Clifton is an award winning writer, director and producer. He works across documentary and fiction, often at the intersection of the two genres.

Recent projects include feature documentary THE CONSPIRACY:ASSASINATION IN BEIRUT and sci-fi short TRIGGER.CHARLIE.ONE, currently out on the festival circuit.

Other documentary work includes NARCO WARS (Disney +) and INSIDE NORTH KOREAN DYNASTY (Nat Geo).  With an interest in science, Dan also directed HORIZON: SWALLOWED BY A BLACK HOLE (BBC); SECRETS OF THE DEAD: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE HINDENBURG (C4) and EQUINOX: THE ENGINES THAT CAME IN FROM THE COLD  (nominated for a Science Writers Award). His political documentary for Channel Four, UNSPUN: AMANDA PLATELL’S SECRET DIARY, made headlines across Britain.

Dan has made several short films for the cinema. He previously wrote, directed and crowd-funded award-winning shorts PATIENT 39, an adaptation of a short story by William Boyd; and mathematical thriller THE CALCULUS OF LOVE. 

Dan’s career has taken him all over the world. He’s interviewed everyone from prime ministers to sporting icons, and worked with talent including Stephen Hawking, Ian Hislop, Ben Miller and many others. Graphics and CGI work are a strong feature of his portfolio, whether visualising complex ideas or ambitious drama sequences.

Dan is also an award-winning screenwriter. Drawing on his background as a journalist he has a particular interest in stories based on true events, as well as the sci-fi and thriller genres.

Dan began his career as a journalist on ITN’s Channel Four News, where he worked as Political Producer before moving into documentaries. In 1996, he was headhunted by Labour Leader Tony Blair to join the media team that helped deliver Labour’s landslide victory the following year. Between 2015 and 2019, Dan was Chair of the Federation of European Film Directors, where he led FERA’s successful campaign to secure better rights for Writers and Directors in the new EU Copyright Directive. Dan is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and teaches film for institutions including the NFTS and London Film School. He mentors emerging filmmakers and has been invited to speak on panels at film festivals across Europe. He grew up in Brussels, Belgium and is a bilingual French speaker.