Biography of Nigel Sinclair
Nigel Sinclair began his journey in England, where the historic halls of Monkton Combe inspired his interest in history and the arts, encouraged by teachers like Richard Blake After studying law and economics at Cambridge, he graduated in 1969. He then attended the Institute of Criminology before joining Denton, Hall & Burgin.
In 1979, as oil prices rose, he opened Denton, Hall & Burgin offices in Dubai and Sharjah. This period taught him resilience and creative problem-solving, shaping skills that would later guide his work in the film industry
He went on to earn an LLM at Columbia University in New York He later moved to Los Angeles to pass the California Bar exam, again opening an office for Denton, Hall & Burgin. Los Angeles became both his professional center and personal home for many years
Transition to Entertainment Law
By the early 1980s, Nigel was building a reputation in Los Angeles Although many were unsure about an English solicitor in Hollywood, his reputation grew through word of mouth. He moved gradually into entertainment law, representing actors such as Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, and Gary Oldman, as well as directors including Peter Weir, Ridley Scott, and Tony Scott.
In 1989, he co-founded Sinclair Tenenbaum & Co., a firm that helped structure independent films for international financing and distribution. Through his work, projects like Hamlet, Braveheart, 1492, and Green Card showed that large-scale films could succeed outside traditional studio systems.
Building Intermedia and Spitfire Pictures
In 1996, Nigel shifted from law to producing, co-founding Intermedia Films with Guy East. The company financed and produced films such as Sliding Doors, Hilary and Jackie, The Wedding Planner, The Quiet American, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and Iris
In 2000, Intermedia became publicly listed on Frankfurt’s Neuer Markt, marking its rise as a major independent film producer.
In 2003, he and his partner founded Spitfire Pictures, focusing on music documentaries and feature films. Early projects included Masked and Anonymous, Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who, and No Direction Home: Bob Dylan These films helped establish him as a leading producer of music and cultural documentaries
Exclusive Media & White Horse Pictures
Nigel later launched Exclusive Media, serving as CEO and Co-Chairman. The company produced and distributed titles including Rush, End of Watch, Snitch, and Parkland
In 2014, he co-founded White Horse Pictures with partners Nick Ferrall, Jeanne Elfant Festa, and Cassidy Hartmann, concentrating on documentary storytelling Early successes included The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years, Pavarotti, The Apollo, The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, and Lucy and Desi.
More recently, he produced Beach Boys, Billy Preston: That is the Way God Planned It, and Stax: Soulsville U.S.A., which earned his third Peabody nomination and second Peabody
Award Under his guidance, White Horse Pictures has become a home for documentary projects designed to endure beyond their premieres.
Awards and Recognition
His work has received many honors, including Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Emmys, and Grammys Notable achievements include:
● Undefeated (Academy Award, Best Documentary Feature)
● The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years (Grammy, Emmy)
● George Harrison: Living in the Material World (Emmy)
● No Direction Home: Bob Dylan (Grammy, Emmy, Peabody, duPont-Columbia Award)
● The Apollo (Emmy, Academy Award shortlist)
● Stax: Soulsville U.S.A. (Peabody Award, 2025)
In 2000, Queen Elizabeth II named him Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to the British film industry He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and BAFTA
Philanthropy and Community Engagement
Alongside his film work, he has shown a strong commitment to social causes In Los Angeles, he has supported The People Concern's Access Center, raising funds and volunteering at SHWASHLOCK, which offers laundry and shower services to unhoused individuals
With his wife, he co-founded K-9 Connection, a program that pairs disadvantaged teens with rescue dogs to promote youth development and animal adoption In the 1990s, he co-chaired a campaign that raised over $20 million to establish the Cloverfield Women’s Health Center in Los Angeles, which primarily serves unhoused women with mental health challenges
He also helped bring Teen Cancer America to the United States in partnership with members of The Who
Personal Life and Interests
Music has always been a part of his life As a guitarist and student of music history, he often combines his personal interests with his filmmaking to highlight cultural icons and the power of music
Born in Scotland and based in Los Angeles, he has linked the worlds of commerce, law, and film He lives in Pacific Palisades with his wife, Pat He has a son, Alex, and a grandson, as well as two stepdaughters, Andrea and Rebecca, and two step-grandchildren