Michael L. Reiseneder

Michael L. Reiseneder is an established, award-winning film producer and senior executive, born and raised in Vienna, Austria. For more than three decades, he is serving the entertainment industry as a Producer, Executive Producer, negotiating expert and advisor to major film and television production companies around the globe. Interested in cinema, especially in the process of making motion pictures, he got his filmmaking start at an early age. In his teenage years he created his own 16mm shorts and documentaries, developing skills in camera work and editing techniques. After graduating from Business School, he enrolled at The University of Music and Performing Arts' Film Academy Vienna. Soon thereafter, realizing the limited possibilities of this academic training, he decided to fulfill his compulsory military service first. Subsequently, he moved to Los Angeles, where he initially took a few jobs, commencing his business-career in film. As a film editor, he joined the Motion Picture Editors Guild of Hollywood and later became a film producer. In America he was trained by Zinn Arthur, producer, director and acclaimed celebrity photographer to Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, among other numerous film personalities. Working in the industry with Lisa Trumpler, HFPA (Hollywood Foreign Press Association) correspondent and noted Hollywood agent Paul Kohner, he rapidly gained extensive experience on all facets of film development, financing, production management, marketing and distribution. Due to Kohner's guidance and trust, Reiseneder focused entirely on a career as a film producer, operational and administrative, becoming a sought-after consultant in international feature film-production, script and project development and finance. Besides working for a renowned major film studio, he also plays a vital role as mentor, consultant and supporter of student diploma films and last not least, as a master-class instructor. As such, he took a leadership position in the introduction of new methods and techniques to improve operations. He attended The Danube University Krems, earned a Master of Arts degree in Television and Film-Production and pursued a Ph.D. Degree in Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Southern California. He became the youngest member of the Friars Club of California. The Board of Trustees of The American Film Institute recognized Michael Reiseneder for Outstanding Achievement in preserving American Film and Television Heritage.