Biography
DANIEL ZIRILLI (Director/Producer/Writer)
CEO of Popart Film Factory
BIOGRAPHY & RESUME
Daniel Zirilli founded Popart Film Factory at 24, shortly after graduating from Pepperdine University in Malibu. He has directed, produced, and written over 70 feature films and more than 250 music videos and documentaries, earning numerous awards throughout his career. In 2021 and 2022, Zirilli directed two films currently in post-production: "Renegades," a gangster crime drama shot in London featuring an ensemble cast including Ian Ogilvy, Nick Moran, Patsy Kensit, Lee Majors, Tiny Lister, Louis Mandylor, Billy Murray, and Paul Barber, set for release by Saban Films; and "Phoenix," a female-driven revenge thriller starring Natalie Eva Marie, Neal McDonough, and Randy Couture, filmed in Miami and Las Vegas. He also wrote the story for and is producing "Best Man," starring Luke Wilson, Nicky Whelan, Dolph Lundgren, and Scout Taylor-Compton.
Zirilli’s film "Invincible" (director/producer/co-writer) was released by Lionsgate on March 8, 2022. Shot on location in Thailand, it stars Johnny Strong, Marko Zaror, Krissada Sukosol, Sally Kirkland, Michael Pare, and Vladimir Kulich. He also directed and co-wrote "Hollow Point," featuring Luke Goss, Jay Mohr, Juju Chan, Bill Duke, Michael Pare, Kirk Fox, and Roger G. Smith. Additionally, Zirilli co-directed "Acceleration" with Michael Merino, starring Dolph Lundgren, Sean Patrick Flanery, Natalie Burn, Chuck Liddell, Jason London, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and Danny Trejo.
Earlier, Zirilli directed "The Asian Connection" in Thailand, starring Steven Seagal and Michael Jai White, which premiered on NETFLIX. He co-wrote the story with Tom Sizemore. He also directed and produced "Crossing Point," starring Jacob Vargas, Shawn Lock, Rudy Youngblood, Luke Goss, and Tom Sizemore. Zirilli wrote and directed "Black Beauty," released by Lionsgate, starring Luke Perry and Bruce Davidson.
Zirilli produced "It's So Easy and Other Lies," a film about the early days of Guns N’ Roses based on Duff McKagan’s book, and is currently producing a documentary inspired by John Steinbeck’s "The Grapes of Wrath," featuring James Franco. He has written or co-written 25 produced feature films and directed projects for Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker Entertainment. He also produced The Rolling Stones’ "Voodoo Lounge" film and video.
He directed and/or produced four films for Lionsgate/Grindstone, including "Locked Down" with Vinnie Jones and "House of the Rising Sun," featuring Amy Smart, Dominic Purcell, and Dave Bautista in his first leading film role. Zirilli also executive produced films with notable actors such as Peter Bogdanovich, Rose McGowan, Stephen Lang, Bruce Davidson, and Morgan Freeman.
In music videos, Zirilli advanced his career working with artists like NWA, Cher, and Danzig, eventually directing and producing over 250 videos. Several of these reached #1 on MTV and BET, with more than 25 singles achieving gold or platinum status (over 1 million units sold, RIAA). His collaborations include artists such as Three 6 Mafia (featuring Katt Williams), Dvbbs, Redman, Cypress Hill, Shaq, Scarface, Montel Jordan, Master P, Twista, Chayanne, Freddie Jackson, Roger Troutman Jr., Gerald Levert, Bobby Womack, Bokeem Woodbine, Peter Himmelman, Flea, Domino, Supercat, WC & The Madd Circle, Wilton Felder, Najee, and other Grammy Award winners. He also produced music videos for Russell Simmons’ film "The Show" for Def Jam, Michael Nesmith (of The Monkees), and other legendary recording artists.
Zirilli’s public service announcements include projects commissioned by the Earth Communication Office (E.C.O.), Earth Summit, Save Our Skies (S.O.S.), and The Garden Project L.A. (in collaboration with Disney). These PSAs have featured socially conscious celebrities such as Mark Hamill, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Newton-John, Ed Begley Jr., Herbie Hancock, Bob Saget, Rita Coolidge, Richard Mull, Jane Seymour, and the late John Ritter, among others.
Daniel Zirilli holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication and Creative Writing from Pepperdine University, Malibu.
