I am a culture writer, broadcaster and curator with a lifelong passion for film and video games, and a keen interest in making complex or intimidating areas of cultural history accessible for curious audiences.

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I am co-creator and co-host of one of the UK's leading film podcasts, Ghibliotheque, which began its life as an accessible and insightful guide to the world of Japanese animation legends Studio Ghibli, and has since blossomed into a multimedia project that embraces and celebrates animation in all its forms.

 

To date, Ghibliotheque has spawned five books which have been translated into over a dozen languages. Our first book, Ghibliotheque - The Unofficial Guide to Studio Ghibli, was released in September 2021, and was followed by The Ghibliotheque Anime Movie Guide, The World of Studio Ghibli, our first book for younger readers, and Film Korea: The Ghibliotheque Guide to the World of Korean Cinema. Under the Ghibliotheque banner, I have curated film screenings and special events that have filled cinemas around the country, including monthly residencies at the Prince Charles Cinema and BFI IMAX.

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From 2018 to 2022, I commissioned and produced the Broadcast Digital Award-nominated short form video essay series Inside Cinema and Inside Games for BBC Arts and BBC iPlayer. I also wrote and hosted several episodes of both series, such as  Studio Ghibli Magic , Burton's Gotham and Famous Last Words, and wrote and directed a 30-minute extended episode, Inside Games: Special Characters.

 

Additionally, I hosted the weekly Little White Lies review programme Truth & Movies for over four years and have hosted podcast series for clients including the British Independent Film Awards and Prime Video UK.

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Over the years, my writing has appeared in Sight & Sound Magazine, Little White Lies, Empire Magazine and elsewhere, and I have hosted events for and at venues including the British Film Institute, the British Museum, Somerset House, the Barbican Centre, the Institute of Contemporary Arts, HOME Manchester, London Film Festival, Glasgow Film Festival, Sheffield Doc/Fest, Cardiff Animation Festival, Green Man and Latitude Festival.

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You can get hold of me at @michaeljleader or at michael.leader@gmail.com.