Mat Whitecross (born 21 September 1977) is an English film director, editor, and screenwriter. He began his career working for Michael Winterbottom, a director, and producer Andrew Eaton at Revolution Films. Whitecross is known for directing The Road to Guantánamo;an Ian Dury biopic, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll; as well as music documentaries Oasis: Supersonic and Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams. Whitecross has directed music videos for Coldplay, Take That and the Rolling Stones, being a long-time collaborator of Coldplay's.
Career Whitecross was born in Oxford, England, and grew up there. His parents were political refugees who were imprisoned in Argentina during the country's Dirty War. He takes inspiration from the place where he grew up and from his parents' friends, many of whom are South American immigrants who fled tortures and prison. He began his career working for filmmaker Michael Winterbottom and Andrew Eaton at Revolution Films as a runner on the film 24 Hour Party People. Within a few months of starting at Revolution Films, they gave him the chance of shooting and editing for them. His directorial debut The Road to Guantanamo began as a conversation with Winterbottom about the Tipton Three whilst on the shoot for the film 9 Songs. They both agreed that the story was fascinating and worth of a film but due to other commitments, Winterbottom was unable to begin research and preparation, suggesting that Whitecross should start the process. Whitecross and Winterbottom then co-directed and co-wrote the film which features Riz Ahmed in his debut acting role. The Road to Guantánamo won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Filmography Film YearTitleDirectorWriterEditor 20049 Songs 2006 Scott Walker: 30 Century Man 2009Moving to Mars 2010Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll 2012Ashes Spike Island 2016Oasis: Supersonic 2018Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams Live in São Paulo 2022The Sound of 007 2026Ídolos
Television YearTitleNotes 2007Nearly FamousEpisode 1.3 – Episode 1.4 2008Spooks: Code 9Episode 1.3 – Episode 1.4 2014Fleming: The Man Who Would Be BondEpisode 1.1 – Episode 1.4 2017Red Nose Day ActuallyCo-directed by Richard Curtis 2018Vic and Bob's Big Night Out
Music video YearArtistTitle 1999Coldplay"Bigger Stronger" 2008"Violet Hill" "Lovers in Japan" "Lost!" 2010 Take That"" Coldplay"Christmas Lights" 2011 Take That"Kidz" Coldplay"Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" "Paradise" "No Spare Parts" 2012Coldplay"Charlie Brown" 2014"" 2015"Adventure of a Lifetime" 2017 Take That"Giants" Coldplay"Something Just Like This" 2019 "Orphans" 2022 Pink Floyd"Hey, Hey, Rise Up!" Coldplay"Biutyful"
Awards and nominations +List of awards and nominations, showing ceremony, year, recipient, category and resultAwardYearNominee / WorkCategoryResultBritish Academy Television Awards 2007 Best Single Drama Berlin International Film Festival2006 Golden Bear for Best Motion Picture Silver Bear for Best Director British Independent Film Awards Best Documentary Best Achievement in Production 2016 Oasis: Supersonic Best Technical Achievement Chicago International Film Festival 2010 Moving to Mars Docufest Competition Empire Awards 2017 Oasis: Supersonic Best Documentary European Film Awards2006 Best Film Best Director Independent Spirit Awards 2007 Best Documentary Feature Film Grierson Awards 2010 Moving to Mars Best Documentary on a Contemporary Issue MTV Europe Music Awards 2020 Best Rock MTV Video Music Awards 2012 Best Rock Video 2016 2020 MTV Video Play Awards 2011 Platinum Award 2012 MTV Video Music Awards Japan Best Group Video MuchMusic Video AwardsBest International Video – Group 2016 NME Awards 2017 Oasis: Supersonic Best Music Film Satellite Awards 2015 Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond Best Miniseries UK Music Video Awards 2019 Live in São Paulo Best Live Concert
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