Simon Rumley

Simon Rumley (born 22 May 1968) is a British screenwriter, director and author. Mostly associated with the horror genre, he was described by Screen International as "one of the great British cinematic outsiders, a gifted director with the know-how to puncture the conventions". He has won several awards and worked with, among others, Roger Lloyd-Pack, Greta Scacchi, Noah Taylor and Peter Facinelli.

After starting out as a runner, Rumley began writing short and feature scripts, including Club Le Monde, after which he invited onto the Carlton Television Writing Course. After writing and directing four short films including 'Laughter' which was nominated for a 'Dick Award' at London's ICA, Rumley wrote, produced and directed Strong Language, which was picked up by the company Stranger Than Fiction. Seen as a promising young film maker, he was invited to Austria by the European Film Academy and in 1999 wrote, produced and directed The Truth Game. Both this and Strong Language, were released through the BFI at London's National Film Theatre, both films being noted for their 'intensity and a quest for emotional honesty'

2002's Club Le Monde was released through UGC Cinemas and in 2004 he directed the short film The Handyman in Vermont, USA, starring Greta Scacchi and Bill Sage. The Handyman played several festivals worldwide and won the Best Short Film at Sitges Film Festival in 2006.

During this period, Rumley's parents died within a short space of each and, having watched his mother wither away with cancer, Rumley began writing a script provisionally titled The Living in the Home of the Dead – a psychological horror/tragedy. The script was picked up by Nick O'Hagan (Pandaemonium, Young Adam) and after being reworked and retitled The Living and the Dead, it was filmed during 2005 at Lord Cardigan's Savernake Estate starring Roger Lloyd-Pack. Executive produced by Elliot Grove, the founder of Raindance, it premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival and played over 40 festivals worldwide. Described in Variety as "Near brilliant", it went on to win almost twenty five awards including 'Best Film' and 'Best Director', 'Best Actor', 'Best Make-Up' and 'Best Supporting Actress' at Austin's Fantasticfest.

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