Matthew Lessall
Born in London, raised in New York, educated in Indiana and London, and now based in Los Angeles, Matthew’s life and casting experiences are equally diverse. Having cast successful, international, award-winning projects for film, television and new media, in the form of features, pilots, and series, his primary recognition is on the indie film front. Matthew has also worked at major networks and studios, as Director of Feature Film Casting at 20th Century Fox; in-house casting consultant for the Fox Searchlab Writer/Director Program; and in 2015 as in-house consultant to Paramount Pictures Television Studios where he worked on several 2016 TV projects, including: 'Urban Cowboy' (FOX), 'Shooter' (USA) and 'Berlin Station' (Epix). He cast the Netflix feature film and Sundance 2017 selection, ‘Deidra And Laney Rob a Train’ for the award-winning director, Sydney Freeland as well as the 2017 SXSW competition film, 'Maya Dardel.' His award history includes being recipient of multiple Artios Award nominations, a 2015 coveted Palme d'Or Award for Cannes winner and 2017 Independent Spirit Award Nominee for Best Picture, 'Chronic', for acclaimed Mexican director/producer Michel Franco and starring Tim Roth; 2016 Sundance selection 'Frank & Lola' (starring Michael Shannon and Imogen Poots); and the 2016 SXSW selection 'Miss Stevens' (starring Lily Rabe winner - Best Actress). Matthew cast two seasons of Warner Premiere's record-breaking webseries 'Mortal Kombat: Legacy' (Machinima), and season 2 of Warner Digital’s 'Aim High' (Crackle) and produced/cast the festival circuit darling, 'Reparation'. He has cast productions/co-productions for Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands and the UK, where he also enjoys dual citizenship. Matthew is a member of BAFTA and has served for 8 years on the National Board of the Casting Society of America, including being the former President of CSA.
[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.