Mike McNamara

Horror comedy short ROOM TONE continues its festival foray as it arrives at the Oscar Qualifying flim festival HollyShorts. Mike is serving as Associate Producer on this film, alongside a superb cast and crew led by Director Michael Gabriele and Lead Actor Mickey O'Sullivan (pictured here with Mike).

Click here for Mike and Mickey's red carpet interview with Vanessa Lua at HollyShorts.

In this Emmy-winning short film, a sound guy's attempt to capture “room tone" is constantly thwarted by the noisy antics of his coworkers, forcing him to take extreme measures.

In addition to the Midwest Emmy, accolades for ROOM TONE have included winning Best Horror Short and the Audience Award at the Oscar Qualifying Indy Shorts, plus selections to Palm Spring Shortfest, Seattle International, and Fantastic Fest.

Mike is working as a Producer on Michael Gabriele’s latest thriller, entitled GET AWAY. The short film is off to an auspicious start, with its World Premiere and a Grand Jury Award Nomination at the Oscar Qualifying Seattle International Film Festival.

GET AWAY centers on a group of friends spending the weekend at a remote vacation rental in the desert. They play a mysterious VHS tape and realize that there are too many strange and terrifying coincidences.

Director Michael Gabriele co-wrote the film with Anthony Jefferson and alongside director of photography Ryan French and producers Mike McNamara and Danny Rhodes. Cast is led by Erika Lane Enggren, Steph Martinez, Lisa Jacqueline Starrett, Camila Ivera and Adrian Quiñonez.

Click here for the team’s exclusive interview with Moviemaker Magazine!

Sci-fi thriller short film THE REPLACEMENT has reached some rare air, surpassing one million views on YouTube!

The film enjoyed a prolific festival run before landing on the sci-fi YouTube mecca, DUST. THE REPLACEMENT earned Official Selection laurels to more than 75 fests, including the Oscar Qualifying Chicago International, HollyShorts and Austin Film Festivals. The film tallied 30+ wins overall, including Best Short Film awards at Sci-Fi London, San Jose International Short Film Festival, and Madrid Sci-Fi.

Click here to watch THE REPLACEMENT, now with over one million views online!

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which included producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

Mike chats with Brian Stever of the Take Too Podcast talking all about this unique and crazy time in our world and our industry right now, and also about his unique and crazy role in the sci-fi thriller THE REPLACEMENT!

Click here for the full interview on the Take Too Podcast!

And click here to watch THE REPLACEMENT!

Provocative indie feature GOOD KISSER was honored to make its World Premiere at the 45th Annual Seattle International Film Festival. Mike McNamara assisted his good friend, writer-director Wendy Jo Carlton, as a Co-Producer on this project.

Jenna agrees to a sexy weekend fling with materialistic girlfriend Kate and the worldly Mia. As the night unfolds, Jenna realizes she’s bitten off more than she can chew, and the love triangle begins to crack. Cast includes Rachel Paulson, Julia Eringer, Courtney McCullough, Carter Rodriquez, and Kari Alison Hodge.

GOOD KISSER is written and directed by Wendy Jo Carlton, the writer/director of Easy Abby series (Revry.tv), and Jamie & Jessie are Not Tpgether (Amazon Prime), Good Kisser is a lesbian feature film produced in Seattle, Washington.

Click here to check out Mike and Wendy Jo on WGN Radio’s Bill and Wendy Show!

Click here to follow GOOD KISSER on Instagram

Mike McNamara's TV credits include co-starring on the NBC series CHICAGO FIRE as Casey's shady brother-in-law Jim Jordan, in Seasons One and Three of the popular show.

CHICAGO FIRE centers on the firefighters, rescue squad members and paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51, deeply committed to their rewarding and exhilarating jobs, despite the inherent danger and stressors. The truck company is led by Lt. Matthew Casey, who sometimes butts heads with the leader of the rescue squad, the brash Lt. Kelly Severide. Regardless of personal tension, when it's time to face the job, all the courageous team members quickly put their issues aside and their lives on the line. Emmy-winner Dick Wolf serves as an executive producer.

Click here to enjoy the current season of CHICAGO FIRE and check back here for updates on showtimes for Mike's episodes!

If you have a moment to laugh, here is a one-minute vignette for you. The piece was edited together from some improvised scenes between Mike and his friend Beth Lacke while filming the feature OPEN TABLES. OPEN TABLES is currently festival-ing around the country, including stops at the Chicago International and LA Comedy Film Festivals.

Click here to watch the supershort!

Big West Coast win for THE REPLACEMENT! The politically charged sci-fi thriller won Best Sci-Fi Film honors at the 10th Annual San Jose International Short Film Festival.

Click here to watch THE REPLACEMENT, now with over one million views online!

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

Click here for all of this year’s winners at SJSFF 2018!

In the meantime, please follow THE REPLACEMENT on facebook, much appreciated!

Big win in London for THE REPLACEMENT! The politically charged sci-fi thriller won Best Short Film honors at the 18th Annual Sci-Fi London International Film Festival.

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

Click here for more about THE REPLACEMENT at the 18th Annual Sci-Fi London International Film Festival.

In the meantime, please follow THE REPLACEMENT on facebook, much appreciated!

THE REPLACEMENT will make its Southern California Premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival April 26 - May 3. Newport Beach Film Festival is Orange County California's largest entertainment event of the year, with more than 50,000 attendees expected.

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

Click here for tickets to THE REPLACEMENT at the Sonoma International Film Festival as well more about all of the films at this year's festival.

In the meantime, please follow THE REPLACEMENT on facebook, much appreciated!

SAVAGE YOUTH earned Grand Jury awards across the country this week as the film received the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the Florida Film Festival, while also bringing home hardware for Best Narrative Feature and Best Actor (Will Brittain) at the Victoria TX Film Festival.

More good news: Orlando Weekly named SAVAGE YOUTH one of the films not to be missed at this year's Florida Film Festival.

Mike McNamara serves as one of the Executive Producers for SAVAGE YOUTH behind the camera and plays the role of "Officer Jamison" in front of it.

In SAVAGE YOUTH, the lives of six troubled teens in a racially-divided small town take a violent turn over drugs and broken hearts. Based on true events.

SAVAGE YOUTH is written and directed by Michael Curtis Johnson (Slamdance 2016 Grand Jury Prize Winner HUNKY DORY) and produced by Michael Peluso (Producer of TV’s “The Voice” and “America’s Got Talent”). Cast includes Grace Victoria Cox (TWIN PEAKS), Will Brittain (KONG: SKULL ISLAND) and Sasha Feldman (SUN RECORDS). Click here for more about SAVAGE YOUTH

The Los Angeles Premiere of THE REPLACEMENT is set for one of the premier short film showcases in the country, the 14th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival. The award-winning sci-fi thriller premieres on Sunday, August 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Click here to watch THE REPLACEMENT, now with over one million views online!

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

Click here for tickets to THE REPLACEMENT at the HollyShorts Film Festival as well more about all of the films at this year's festival.

In the meantime, please follow THE REPLACEMENT on facebook, much appreciated!

Chicago-made sci-fi thriller THE REPLACEMENT brought home one of the Best Short Film Awards at this year’s Vero Beach Film Festival in sunny Florida. This year’s jury included legendary film critic Jeffrey Lyons and LA LA LAND producer Molly Smith. Mike was in Vero Beach to accept the award and represent the film over the course of the four-day weekend.

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

Click here for more about THE REPLACEMENT’s win in Florida and to check out all of this year’s winners.

In the meantime, please follow THE REPLACEMENT on facebook, much appreciated!

Re-live the excitement of one of the most memorable teams in sports history, the 1985 Chicago Bears. The new documentary '85: THE GREATEST TEAM IN PRO FOOTBALL HISTORY shuffles its way into cinemas for a one-night-only screening in 250 theaters across the country, on Monday January 29th, just days before the Super Bowl. A lifelong Chicagoan and diehard Chicago Bears fan, Mike is proud of to be a part of this historic sports documentary as Associate Producer.

Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gives '85 ★★★1⁄2 stars, deeming the film "a must-see time capsule!" Click here for the full review.

Click here for tickets to the Monday January 29th premiere, one night only, in 250 theaters across the country.

The 36th Annual Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival will host the International Premiere of THE REPLACEMENT April 3-15, at the the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Bruxelles.

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

Click here for tickets and showtimes for this film festival!

In the meantime, please follow THE REPLACEMENT on facebook, much appreciated!

THE REPLACEMENT will make its California Premiere at the 21st Annual Sonoma International Film Festival March 21-25.

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

Click here for tickets to THE REPLACEMENT at the Sonoma International Film Festival as well more about all of the films at this year's festival.

In the meantime, please follow THE REPLACEMENT on facebook, much appreciated!

When not in front of the camera, Mike occasionally dons the producer hat. Mike and his friend Chris Bergstrom (pictured here) are currently supporting the Midwest-made feature THEY as Co-Executive Producers. THEY just premiered as an Official Selection of the 70th Cannes Film Festival.

In THEY, fourteen-year-old J goes by the pronoun ”They” and lives with their parents in the suburbs of Chicago. J is exploring their gender identity while taking hormone blockers to postpone puberty. After two years of medication and therapy, J has to make a decision whether or not to transition. Over this crucial weekend while their parents are away, J’s sister Lauren and her Iranian friend/partner Araz arrive to take care of ”They”.

THEY is written and directed by Anahita Ghazvinizadeh. Executive producers include the great Jane Campion as well as McNamara's longtime friend Patty West. Click here for more about THEY.

The longest-running film festival in North America was the site of the long-awaited World Premiere for THE REPLACEMENT. The 52nd Annual Chicago International Film Festival brought this Chicago-made short film to the big screen on October 15th at AMC River East.

THE REPLACEMENT also enjoyed some outstanding press during the run, joining popular WGN RADIO hosts NIck Digilio and "Bill and Wendy" in studio, and earning a glowing review in Time Out Chicago in which Michael Smith declares, "Mike McNamara turns in a delightful performance as Abe Stagsen, a janitor in a futuristic America who becomes outraged when one of his many clones successfully runs for President." Click here for the full review.

Film critic Patrick McDonald declared "The atmosphere created by producer Naz Khan and director Sean Miller is Blade Runner-esque in its dread, and McNamara is a revelation as he portrays his multiple selves." Click here for the full review from film critic Patrick McDonald

Please follow Mike on instagram at @findmac for even more updates on current and upcoming projects.

SAVAGE YOUTH, directed by Michael Curtis Johnson (Slamdance 2016 Grand Jury Prize Winner HUNKY DORY), and produced by Michael Peluso (Producer of TV’s “The Voice” and “America’s Got Talent”) has been officially selected to premiere worldwide at this year’s Slamdance Film Festival.  Savage Youth will be featured in the “Beyond” program. “The films in the Beyond Program exhibit singular directorial vision while sharing a common commitment to challenge audiences to step outside their comfort zones”, says Slamdance programmer, Josh Mandel. “These bold and adventurous filmmakers represent the most current voices in American independent film, and will continue to push boundaries in the years ahead.”

Mike McNamara serves as one of the Executive Producers for SAVAGE YOUTH behind the camera and plays the role of "Officer Jamison" in front of it.

In SAVAGE YOUTH, the lives of six troubled teens in a racially-divided small town take a violent turn over drugs and broken hearts. Based on true events.

THEY is written and directed by Michael Curtis Johnson. Cast includes Grace Victoria Cox (TWIN PEAKS), Will Brittain (KONG: SKULL ISLAND) and Sasha Feldman (SUN RECORDS). Click here for more about SAVAGE YOUTH

It's not every day that a film gets a review like this from one of the most popular and influential critics in the entire United States. Here's Richard Roeper in the Chicago Sun-Times on MERCURY IN RETROGRADE:

"ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL...a smart, funny, quietly effective and authentic slice of older millennial life...Smith has a deft touch for dialogue, creating six distinct characters who look and sound like people we know...the interaction between the UNIFORMLY EXCELLENT ACTORS feels natural and unforced." Click here for the full review.

Mike McNamara is one of the Co-Producers of this 100% Midwest-made film, which recently won Best Narrative Feature at the Full Bloom Festival in North Carolina. MERCURY IN RETROGRADE will make its Chicago Premiere at the Gene Siskel Film Center February 16-21, with cast and crew in attendance. Click here for tickets to the Premiere!

Mike was once again named to NewCity's esteemed Film50 list, honoring the leaders of Chicago's burgeoning independent film community. Here's a clip from the magazine:

“We’re here to strengthen and celebrate the Chicago and Midwest filmmaking community, plain and simple,” Mike McNamara enthuses of the first Tuesday screening and film community meet-and-greet series, the Midwest Independent Film Festival. In its eleventh year, “We bring together directors, writers, producers, actors, editors that are building their career here in Chicago, we want to keep everyone busy working on each other’s projects here in town, making a living here rather than bouncing out to this coast or that. We shine a big fat spotlight on the great films being made here in Chicago and the Midwest.” McNamara also brings his energy to acting and the board of IFP/Chicago.

Click here for the full article and the other 49 of NewCity's Film50!

The short film THE REPLACEMENT has now wrapped production and is currently in post. THE REPLACEMENT is a dark comedy about the first clone President and his resentful 'original' who sees his life stolen by his many copies. Mike plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producers Naz Khan and Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and cinematographer Mike Bove.

THE REPLACEMENT will head to the festival circuit in Fall of 2017.

In the meantime, please follow THE REPLACEMENT on facebook, much appreciated!

HALFWAY has wrapped up its prolific festival run and is now heading into its nationwide VOD release. First stop: the Urban Movie Channel! Click here to find HALFWAY on Urban Movie Channel! Mike plays Greg, the blue collar antagonist in conflict with lead character Byron, played by Quinton Aaron of Oscar winner THE BLIND SIDE.

Here is the final fantastic tally for HALFWAY's festival run:

WINNER - Ultra Indie Award - 17th annual Woodstock Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Competition Nominee - 13th annual Glasgow Film Festival (international premiere)
WINNER - Best Narrative Feature - 5th annual Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
WINNER - Best Narrative Feature - 6th annual Weyauwega International Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Best Narrative Feature Competition - 10th annual Dallas International Film Festival (world premiere)
OFFICIAL SELECTION - World Showcase Section - 20th annual American Black Film Festival
SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION - 8th annual Milwaukee Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - 18th annual San Francisco Black Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - 5th annual Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival
SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION - 7th annual Driftless Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - 35th annual Three Rivers Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - 25th annual Pan African Film Festival

Cast includes GET OUT star Marcus Henderson, Amy Pietz of CAROLINE IN THE CITY, THE OFFICE and Jeffrey DeMunn of THE WALKING DEAD.

That's a wrap on the Chicago-made feature SOUL SESSIONS. Mike played the role of Jeffrey, alongside Adam Senn, Brooke Langton and Mike's good friend Antoine McKay of EMPIRE and Second City fame.

In SOUL SESSIONS, a superficial, soulless investment banker is saved when serendipity intervenes and he misses a doomed flight triggering guilt and depression that lead him on a journey to self-discovery and enlightenment.

SOUL SESSIONS filmed in and around Chicago, including Loop, Lakefront and Lincoln Park locations. They are looking for a finished film in late 2017 and a Spring/Summer 2018 release.

Mike plays Officer Jamison in the sledgehammer Illinois indie SAVAGE YOUTH, directed by Michael Curtis Johnson, fresh off the success of his Slamdance grand jury winner HUNKY DORY. In SAVAGE YOUTH, six young lives collide in the most horrific and twisted of ways. Based on true events. Currently in post-production; updates on festival premiere coming soon.

The Midwest-made drama HALFWAY took home the coveted Best Narrative Feature prize at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.

HALFWAY is the story of a recently released convict who finds himself trapped between his urban criminal past and his new life on probation as the only black man in a conservative white Wisconsin farm town. Mike plays Greg, the blue collar antagonist in conflict with said black man, played by Quinton Aaron of Oscar winner THE BLIND SIDE.

Cast includes GET OUT star Marcus Henderson, Amy Pietz of CAROLINE IN THE CITY, THE OFFICE and Jeffrey DeMunn of THE WALKING DEAD.

Mike headed to the Lone Star State with fellow cast members Quinton Aaron of Oscar winner THE BLIND SIDE and GET OUT star Marcus Henderson, producer Jonny Paterson and director Ben Caird for the World Premiere of HALFWAY at the prestigious Dallas International Film Festival. Mike plays Greg, the blue collar antagonist in conflict with Quinton's lead character Byron.

The debut feature from Ben Caird offers some pointed reflections on America’s broken justice system. Byron Smith (Quinton Aaron from Oscar-winner THE BLIND SIDE) is one of the lucky ones. On release from prison he is offered a job working on a struggling family farm in Wisconsin. He is the only black man in a white heartland. As he struggles to adjust to a world far beyond his comfort zone and a family riven with problems, outsider Byron is faced with stark choices if he is to remain on the straight and narrow. An involving, smartly observed drama that puts a human face to a national crisis.

Mike was honored for his contributions to the Chicago filmmaking community by the Gene Siskel Film Center at its annual "Hollywood on State" Oscar Night. Mike's fellow honorees were filmmakers Pamela Sherrod Anderson, Xan Aranda, Stephen Cone, Ky Dickens and Maria Finitzo.

With a glowing review from the great Roger Ebert and a prolific festival run under its belt, QWERTY forges ahead into its national VOD release. Mike plays Zoe's petulant office antagonist Ken in this feature, directed by Bill Sebastian.

QWERTY's festival run boasted wins at Nashville, Secret City and East Lansing Film Festival. Click here for the complete tally.

Before you leave this page, please support this film by buying it on Amazon today!

Mike was named to NewCity's inaugural Film50 list, honoring the leaders of Chicago's independent film community. Here's a clip from the magazine:

An understated but vibrant mood prevails at the Midwest Independent Film Festival at Landmark Century, which has the tagline, “The Best Films of the Midwest. The First Tuesday of Every Month.” Informal cocktail mixers precede a producer’s panel on the night’s program, followed by an independent feature from Illinois or surrounding states, with an after-party for further conversation. “It’s a full evening,” says Mike McNamara, a Chicago actor who co-founded the group in 2005. “That first Tuesday, if you’re just coming out for a great time, it’ll rival your Friday.” McNamara hates the word “networking.” “We celebrate strength in the community, you go to Sundance, you’re networking, but then everything’s a networking event if you look at it that way.” At first, the programmers didn’t know if they could even find the content to last six months, but as 2014 marks their tenth anniversary, McNamara says “it’s kind of mind-blowing” that they’ve established “a film festival for filmmakers. It’s for film lovers but we specifically focus on bringing the filmmakers together.” The most recent outreach has been to show films from “folks in the advertising community, this whole other creative community we’ve worked hard to welcome in.” The monthly setup is unusual in the film festival world. “The reason we make it a year-round event as opposed to ten or twelve straight days so that there is a place for the entire independent film community to come together all year round.”

Click here for the full article and the other 49 of NewCity's Film50!

The Midwest-made comedy QWERTY makes its World Premiere at the prestigious Dallas International Film Festival. Mike plays Zoe's petulant office antagonist Ken in this feature, directed by Bill Sebastian.

This entertaining and heartwarming romantic comedy follows introverted 'word-nerd' Zoe, whose life is turned upside down when she meets her emotional match in irascible weirdo Marty. Before the adorable pair can live happily ever after, Zoe must gain the courage to enter the National Scrabble Championship and compete to become only the second woman in history to win the grand prize.