Michael McNamara (born December 6, 1953) is a Canadian film and television director and producer from Windsor, Ontario,Gail Robertson, "Artcetera: Director that ate traditional film-making". Windsor Star, April 24, 1997. who was cofounder with Judy Holm of the Markham Street Films studio.Gayle McDonald, "A movie only a Canadian could make". The Globe and Mail, October 1, 2008.
The son of poet Eugene McNamara,Owen Jones, "Playbill". Windsor Star, January 29, 1994. McNamara directed episodes of children's television series such as The Elephant Show, Eric's World and Polka Dot Shorts, as well as music videos and television specials for Holly Cole Trio, Jane Siberry and Prairie Oyster,Ted Shaw, "Portrait brings out best in Cole". Windsor Star, January 5, 1993. in his early career, before releasing his debut feature film The Cockroach that Ate Cincinnati, an adaptation of theatrical plays by Alan Williams, in 1996."Review: ‘The Cockroach That Ate Cincinnati’". Variety, October 14, 1996. In 1998 he directed In Thru the Out Door, a television special billed as "network television's first-ever all-queer, all-star sketch comedy show".Nelson Wyatt, "CBC gay special is comedy pure and simple". Canadian Press, June 18, 1998.
With his wife, Judy Holm, he launched Markham Street Films in the early 2000s.Noelle Elia, "At Home With Markham Street Films". Point of View, April 1, 2004. With that firm, he has directed documentary films rather than narrative features, although he has been a producer of narrative features by other filmmakers.Ted Shaw, "Little film house that could; Markham Street Productions celebrates 10 years of on-the-job training, patience, and a cockroach that ate a city". Windsor Star, February 4, 2012.
His credits as a documentary director have included Radio Revolution: The Rise and Fall of the Big 8 (2004),"Documentary film recalls heyday of border-blaster radio". North Bay Nugget, April 1, 2004. 100 Films and a Funeral (2007),Ted Shaw, "WIFF opener details demise of Polygram". Windsor Star, November 6, 2007. Acquainted with the Night (2010),Ted Shaw, "Documentary seeks answers after dark". Windsor Star, September 18, 2010. and episodes of the television documentary series The Nature of ThingsPaul Cluff, "Stratford connections abound in 'The Nature of Things' premier tonight on CBC". Stratford Today, January 4, 2024. and CBC Docs POV.Maggie Parkhill, "Pugs Can Be 'Busy Little Lunatics'". Calgary Herald, January 7, 2019.
His credits as a producer have included Victoria Day and Big News from Grand Rock.
Awards Award Date of ceremony Category Work Result Gemini Awards 1988 Best Picture Editing in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series Jane Siberry: I Muse Aloud John Haslett Cuff, "CBC offerings dominate first half of Gemini awards". The Globe and Mail, November 30, 1988. 1994 Best Direction in a Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series The Holly Cole Trio: My Foolish Heart Best Picture Editing in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series 1999 Best Direction in a Variety, or Performing Arts Program or Series In Thru the Out Door "Major Gemini Awards nominations". Toronto Star, September 22, 1999. 2001 Best Direction in a Documentary Program Wrinkle Craig Pearson, "Documentaries have more hope, Gemini nominee says". Windsor Star, September 21, 2001. 2004 Best History Documentary Program Radio Revolution: The Rise and Fall of the Big 8 "Big 8 documentary wins Gemini for best history". Windsor Star, December 15, 2004. Best Writing in a Documentary Program or Series "The 2004 Gemini nominees". Playback, November 8, 2004. 2006 Best Direction in a Documentary Series Shrines and Homemade Holy Places: "Highways to Heaven" "The '06 nominees: Who will march up to the podium?". Playback, October 2, 2006. 2008 Best History Documentary Program 100 Films and a Funeral "The Gemini nominees are . . .". Playback, September 29, 2008. 2009 Best Direction in a Documentary Series Driven by Vision: "Of Castles, Kings and Jesters" Ted Shaw, "McNamara gets Gemini nod". Windsor Star, October 22, 2009. 2011 Best Science, Technology, Nature, Environment or Adventure Documentary Program Acquainted with the Night Ted Shaw, "Local connection to Gemini nominations". Windsor Star, August 4, 2011. Best Direction in a Documentary Program "26th Annual Gemini Awards". Tribute, September 7, 2011. Canadian Screen Awards 2014 Rob Stewart Award The Nature of Things: "Lights Out!" Best Documentary Program Ice, Sweat and Tears 2016 Rob Stewart Award The Nature of Things: "The Cholesterol Question" 2021 The Nature of Things: "Pass the Salt" Brent Furdyk, "Television Nominees Announced For 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Leads The Pack With 21 Nominations". ET Canada, March 30, 2021. Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2014 Don Haig Award Liam Lacey, "Belgian-Romanian, Canadian films take top prizes at Hot Docs". The Globe and Mail, May 2, 2024. Writers Guild of Canada 2015 WGC Screenwriting Awards: Documentary The Nature of Things: "The Cholesterol Question" Filipe Dos Santos, "Tony Elliot, Jason Leaver among WGC Award winners". Playback, April 28, 2015. 2019 CBC Docs POV: "Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit" Connie Thiessen, "Writers behind Schitt’s Creek, Cardinal, among winners at WGC Screenwriting Awards". Broadcast Dialogue, April 30, 2019. 2020 CBC Docs POV: "Pugly: A Pug's Life" Kelly Townsend, "JANN, Coroner, Schitt’s Creek top WGC Award’s drama, comedy noms". Playback, March 6, 2020.
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