PAT MILLS in the third person (very official)
Pat Mills’s first feature film, the dark comedy GUIDANCE, had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Guidance was theatrically released in the US and Canada and sold to Netflix. The movie was called a “Grade A” comedy by the Los Angeles Times and was a New York Times Critics' Pick.
Pat’s second feature DON’T TALK TO IRENE won Best Comedy Screenplay at the Austin Screenplay Competition. Starring newcomer Michelle McLeod (Women Talking), Scott Thompson (Kids in the Hall) and Oscar-winner Geena Davis, it had its world premiere at TIFF and went on to win several awards at film festivals, as well as two Canadian Comedy Awards: Best Writing in a Feature and Best Feature. It is currently available on Peacock and Paramount+.
Pat directed Lifetime's first LGBTQ+ Christmas movie, THE CHRISTMAS SETUP (starring Ben Lewis, Blake Lee and Fran Drescher). The movie was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Movie, a DGC Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement, and a Canadian Screen Award for Best TV Movie.
Pat also directed the thriller feature THE RETREAT (written/produced by Alyson Richards) which was a Globe and Mail Critic’s Pick, received a NNNN review from Now Magazine, sold to Showtime and hit #7 on Hulu.
A 3-time DGC Award nominee for Best Direction, Pat’s television directing credits include RUN THE BURBS (CBC), STRAYS (CBC), the drag queen series QUEENS (CBC), DESIGNING CHRISTMAS (Discovery+). Pat also co-directed a HERITAGE MINUTE celebrating pioneer trans performer JACKIE SHANE.
Other than directing, Pat was the Screenwriter in Residence at the University of Toronto and has been a mentor for the Magee TV Diverse Screenwriters Award and lead workshops, appeared on panels and selection committees for: SIYFF, TIFF, TIFF NEXT WAVE, National Screen Institute, Canadian Film Centre, LIFT, City Life Film Project, and more.
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Pat is currently on the committee of Queering The Screen, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring workplace equity and safety for 2SLGBTQIA+ members of the Canadian screen industry.
