Nigel Sinclair began his journey in England, where his time at Monkton Combe sparked a deep interest in history and the arts, encouraged by teachers like Richard Blake. After graduating from Cambridge in 1969 with a degree in law and economics, he continued his studies at the Institute of Criminology before joining Denton, Hall & Burgin. In 1979, during a time of rising oil prices, he opened offices for the firm in Dubai and Sharjah, gaining valuable experience in addressing complex legal and business challenges. This shaped his problem-solving approach and laid the foundation for his future in film. He later completed an LLM at Columbia University in New York, passed the California Bar exam, and opened a Los Angeles branch of the firm, where he built both a lasting career and personal life.
By the early 1980s, he had become well established in Los Angeles, gradually moving into entertainment law. He developed a growing roster of actors and directors as clients. In 1989, he co-founded Sinclair Tenenbaum & Co., which transformed the way independent films were financed and distributed globally. Projects such as Hamlet, Braveheart, 1492, and Green Card showed how ambitious productions could succeed outside traditional studio systems.
In 1996, he transitioned from law to producing, co-founding Intermedia Films and producing titles like Sliding Doors, Hilary and Jackie, The Wedding Planner, The Quiet American, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and Iris. After taking the company public in 2000, he co-founded Spitfire Pictures in 2003, producing music documentaries including Masked and Anonymous, Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who, and No Direction Home: Bob Dylan.
He later founded Exclusive Media, producing films such as Rush, End of Watch, Snitch, and Parkland. In 2014, he co-founded White Horse Pictures, producing acclaimed documentaries such as The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years, Pavarotti, The Apollo, The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, Lucy and Desi, Beach Boys, and Stax: Soulsville U.S.A..
His work has earned Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Emmys, Grammys, and a CBE. With a lasting dedication to cultural storytelling, Nigel Sinclair continues to create films that leave a meaningful legacy.
