Biography
Luke Oliveira-Davies (He/Him) is an interdisciplinary Creative Producer and the Founder of Polari, an award-winning production company that champions the boundlessness of queer and intersectional lives through film, television, and more.
His short films have premiered and collected awards from BAFTA and BIFA-Qualifying festivals around the world, and his latest short ‘Run(a)way’ received funding from the BFI Short Film Fund.
Luke's debut documentary, Stranger in My Family, which he initially developed and produced, won the BBC Three Northern Docs Pitch at Sheffield Doc Fest (2022). It has been longlisted in the ‘Single Documentary’ category at the BAFTA Television Awards (2024), and received a ‘Best Documentary Programme’ nomination at the Broadcast Awards (2024).
The film is out now on BBC iPlayer as a Nine Lives Media production, in association with Polari.
His short films have premiered and collected awards from BAFTA and BIFA-Qualifying festivals around the world, and his latest short ‘Run(a)way’ received funding from the BFI Short Film Fund.
Luke's debut documentary, Stranger in My Family, which he initially developed and produced, won the BBC Three Northern Docs Pitch at Sheffield Doc Fest (2022). It has been longlisted in the ‘Single Documentary’ category at the BAFTA Television Awards (2024), and received a ‘Best Documentary Programme’ nomination at the Broadcast Awards (2024).
The film is out now on BBC iPlayer as a Nine Lives Media production, in association with Polari.
Luke's work extends beyond Polari, including working as a Assistant Producer on Savage Waters, a multi-award-winning documentary by Emmy-winning director Mikey Corker, which released in UK and Ireland cinemas in 2023/24.
Luke is a BAFTA Connect member and is currently taking part in the Momentum programme from We Are Parable x Sony Pictures Television & Channel 4, as well as the Thrive Freelance Development Programme from Creative Access x Lee & Thompson. Luke is also alumni of the BFI Creative Producers Lab (2019), and was nominated for an RTS Futures Award (2020) for his 48-hr short film Tomorrow.
Additionally, he was a finalist for Young Person in Business at the North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards (2022), and was longlisted for a Northern Gamechangers Award (2023).
Luke has received funding from BAFTA, Creative UK, Screenskills, and the Film & TV Charity to support his growth as an entrepreneur and filmmaker.
Luke is currently in development on his next short film as a Writer/Director (Anklet), as well as Polari’s first feature film projects.
Luke is a co-founder of the Queer Filmmakers Network CIC and ORIGINS: The Short Film Night.
Luke is a BAFTA Connect member and is currently taking part in the Momentum programme from We Are Parable x Sony Pictures Television & Channel 4, as well as the Thrive Freelance Development Programme from Creative Access x Lee & Thompson. Luke is also alumni of the BFI Creative Producers Lab (2019), and was nominated for an RTS Futures Award (2020) for his 48-hr short film Tomorrow.
Additionally, he was a finalist for Young Person in Business at the North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards (2022), and was longlisted for a Northern Gamechangers Award (2023).
Luke has received funding from BAFTA, Creative UK, Screenskills, and the Film & TV Charity to support his growth as an entrepreneur and filmmaker.
Luke is currently in development on his next short film as a Writer/Director (Anklet), as well as Polari’s first feature film projects.
Luke is a co-founder of the Queer Filmmakers Network CIC and ORIGINS: The Short Film Night.
Filmography
Stranger in My Family (2023)
Documentary (Single)Out on BBC iPlayer now ︎︎︎
Longlisted - ‘Single Documentary’
BAFTA Television Awards 2024
Nominated - ‘Best Documentary Programme’
Broadcast Awards 2024
︎︎︎︎ Heat Magazine
︎︎︎︎ TV Times
Savage Waters (2022) ︎︎︎
Assistant Producer - Documentary (Feature)︎︎︎︎ Close-Up Film
The Stranger’s Subject (2024)
Producer - Short FilmCurrently in post-production
What Would Julie Do?* (2022)
Producer - BIFA-qualifying Short Film
Best Production Design at Women X
2 x Best Comedy Short Awards
Honourable Mention at the Comedy Short Film Awards
Best Production Design at Women X
2 x Best Comedy Short Awards
Honourable Mention at the Comedy Short Film Awards
On Rest & Movement* (2023)
Producer - BAFTA & BIFA-qualifying Short Film
Commissioned by The Hallé
Commissioned by The Hallé
The Derealisation Dinner Party* (2023)
Producer - Short Film
Funded by BFI Academy
New Renaissance Film Festival
Nominated - Emerging Talent & Best UK (Dark) Comedy Short
Funded by BFI Academy
New Renaissance Film Festival
Nominated - Emerging Talent & Best UK (Dark) Comedy Short
Before I Do (2024)
Producer - Short Film
World Premiere at Bolton Film Festival
Funded by the BFI Network x National Lottery Short Film Fund
World Premiere at Bolton Film Festival
Funded by the BFI Network x National Lottery Short Film Fund
*=request link to watch
Education & Professional Development
Post Production Supervision Course
NFTS (2024)
In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix & Amazon Prime
In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix & Amazon Prime
Self Shooting Course
Landmark Film School (2023)
Guide to Immersive XR, NFTs and 5G Course
Creative UK (2022)
Producing Certificate
London Film Academy (2021)
Ideate XR Course
Creative UK (2021)
‘Momentum’ Programme
We Are Parable x Channel 4 x Sony Pictures Television (2023/24)
‘Thrive’ Freelance Development Programme
Creative Access x Lee & Thompson
(2023/24)
Producers Collective UK Member (2023-)
BFI Creative Producers Lab (2019)
M.A. Media Production
University of Salford (2017)
B.A. (Hons) Film Studies
University of Salford (2014)
Awards & Achievements
BAFTA Connect Member (2023-26)
BAFTA Prince William Bursary Recipient (2023)
Nothern Gamechanger Award (Longlist)
BAFTA Prince William Bursary Recipient (2023)
Nothern Gamechanger Award (Longlist)
Elevate (2023)
Young Person in Business (Finalist)
North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards (2022)
COVID-19 Recovery Fund Recipient
Film & TV Charity (2020/21)RTS Futures Award (Nominee)
Royal Television Society (2020)
Speaking Engagements
Freelancer Mentor (Industry Event)
Factory International · 2023
Branding, Impact & Interview Strategy (Workshop)
Warner Bros. Discovery x MediaTrust · 2023
Industry Day for Young Filmmakers
BFI Academy x HOME MCR · 2023
Documentary Filmmaking (Panel)
ORIGINS · 2023
Making Ends Meet as a Filmmaker (Panel)
Film Hub North · 2021
Navigating a Career in Film/TV (Workshop)
The Oldham College · 2019
LGBTQ+ Representation in Film (Roundtable)
Pride in Trafford · 2018