David Aukin was Head of Film for Film4 from 1990-1998. During that time, he commissioned over 100 films, many of which won awards all over the world. Among the movies developed and financed by Film4 were Nicholas Hytner's The Madness of King George, which won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Ken Adam, Carolyn Scott) and was nominated for three more; Mike Newell's Four Weddings and a Funeral, which was an Academy Award nominee for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay (Richard Curtis); Neil Jordan's The Crying Game, which won the Academy Award for Mr. Jordan's original screenplay; Danny Boyle's Trainspotting, which won four Empire Awards; and Mike Leigh's Secrets & Lies, nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.
Mr. Aukin was subsequently executive producer of such films as Patricia Rozema's Mansfield Park, starring Frances O'Connor; and Stephen Frears' Mrs. Henderson Presents, starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins.
He runs his production company Daybreak Pictures, which is part of the Mentorn Group, with Hal Vogel. Daybreak has made numerous dramas and miniseries for U.K. television; Mr. Aukin executive-produced Jon Jones' A Very Social Secretary, for which star Bernard Hill received International Emmy and BAFTA Award nominations. Its latest series, Sirens, has been optioned for a U.S. adaptation.
Daybreak's feature films have included Pete Travis' Endgame, starring William Hurt and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The company is currently developing features for Fernando Mereilles and Justin Kurzel to direct; and with screenwriters John Hodge and Joe Penhall.
Prior to Film4, Mr. Aukin worked in the theatrical arena, and from 1986-1990 was Executive Director of Britain's Royal National Theatre.
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