Mike Huber
Director
Mike Huber, a film studies graduate from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in New York, began his career on international feature film sets, collaborating with esteemed directors such as Michael Haneke, Raúl Ruiz and Miklós Jancsó. Following a series of successful short films, he made his feature directorial debut in 2001 with 'AKA Birdseye,' which premiered at the Locarno Film Festival. Huber subsequently directed two acclaimed made-for-TV movies, ‘Love and Delusion’ and ‘Heroine of the Skies.’
In addition to his film work, Mike has established himself as a director in advertising, helming over 250 TV commercials and branded content pieces, with a focus on animation and VFX. Despite his proficiency in CGI, Mike remains committed to prioritizing compelling storytelling. His distinctive vision consistently yields visually stunning films and animations.
Currently, Mike is in pre-production for his next feature film, 'A Monkey's Sunday.
A.K.A. Birdseye
I co-directed my debut feature film, ‘A.K.A. BIRDSEYE,’ with Stephen Beckner. The film follows obsessive Colorado sheriff Nolan Sharpless and his son Ben as they delve into a mysterious kidnapping case, leading to a dangerous pursuit of a mythical Swiss criminal. As the media stretches and distorts the truth, Sharpless starts to lose sight of his investigation, as well as his own sense of reality.
Shot in Zürich, Los Angeles, and Colorado, the mockumentary blends suspense, intrigue, and dark humor. Starring Fred Ward, R. Lee Early, Fred Koehler and Stephan Kurt ‘A.K.A. BIRDSEYE’ A.K.A. Birdseye was chosen as an official selection to the 2002 Locarno International Film Festival and was praised for its innovative storytelling and faux-documentary style, marking the beginning of a successful journey to its official cinema release and critical acclaim.
Liebe und Wahn
In 2007, I had the opportunity to direct my first made-for-television film for Swiss TV. Titled 'Liebe und Wahn' (Love and Delusion), and told as a thriller drama, the story follows Professor Iris Lanz, portrayed by Sybille Canonica, who dismisses her student Sebastian's innocent gestures, oblivious to his dangerous obsession with her.
As someone who appreciates stories with strong female leads, I aimed to bring depth and complexity to the character of Professor Lanz. Shot on location at the archaeological Institute for Egyptology at Zurich University, the production benefited from its realistic setting, adding authenticity to the story. Set against this backdrop, the film depicted a gripping stalker drama, with Professor Lanz at the center of a perilous obsession.
the perils of man
As an avid gamer and devoted fan of game designer Bill Tiller, renowned inter alia for his Monkey Island series, I immersed myself in ‘The Perils of Man,’ a captivating point-and-click adventure game. Crafted by Tiller and Gene Mocsy and written by Stephen Beckner the game, published by Vertigo Games, offers a thrilling journey into the mystery game genre.
The game revolves around teenager Ana Eberling's quest to uncover her father's disappearance, revealing a dark family history and hidden technology.
‘The Perils of Man’ received the Swiss video game award for its stunning design and emotional depth. With steampunk elements and a Tim Burton-esque art style, the game captured players of all ages.
Chapter 1, initially free on the App Store, drew over half a million players. The full game, launched in 2015 on Steam for Mac and PC, continues to engage gamers with its compelling storyline, showcasing our team's dedication and showcasing Tiller's enduring legacy.
HELDIN DER LÜFTE
For my second made-for-TV movie, 'Heldin der Lüfte' (Heroine of the Skies), I was brought on board to direct an alpine action drama set against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps, focusing on the challenges faced by helicopter pilots of Rega. The narrative highlights the life-saving efforts of the Swiss air rescue organization, Rega. Drawing inspiration from the true story of the first female helicopter pilot for Rega, the film chronicles Sina Andri's journey in a profession predominantly dominated by men.
Reluctantly returning to her hometown to join the Rega base in Samedan, Sina confronts both the dangers of her job and the shadows of her past. Tensions rise with embittered Gian Padrun, blaming her for his son's death. Despite pressure, Sina's bravery shines during a perilous rescue, earning her the title of "Heroine of the Skies." Yet, Gian's vendetta threatens her hard-won peace.
MAKING THE WORLD CUP
Teaming up with the talented Dutch animation studio Colorbleed, I had the honor of directing a short film commissioned by FIFA for the World Cup. Titled 'Making The World Cup,' the film humorously portrays the havoc caused when janitor Ernesto Morales accidentally interrupts the games with his microwave.
Over the course of nearly a year, we painstakingly crafted each frame to showcase the tremendous effort and dedication behind the scenes of the World Cup. With a blend of humor and heart, our aim was to enlighten audiences about the extraordinary labor involved in bringing the tournament to life every four years.
THE TEST
I had the opportunity to direct a branded short film for Zweifel Potato Chips, showcasing the distinctive and irresistible flavor of their chips. Our concept centered on narrating the journey from the perspective of a devoted Zweifel potato chips enthusiast. He earns the coveted opportunity to participate in Zweifel's renowned chip tasting test, embarking on a personal quest to discover “the essence of crunchiness”.
While making the film, we stumbled upon a high voltage testing facility in Bucharest, which became central to the story. The authentic, exaggerated sets enhanced the facility's quirky atmosphere on screen. The result is a comedic celebration of Zweifel chips' flavors, revealing the brand's secret behind their recipes, notably the popular paprika line.
Our efforts earned us multiple awards, including Cannes Corporate Gold.
FIND THE ONE
I was approached to create a fully animated commercial in the Disney/ Dreamworks style for the renowned Swiss underwear brand, Triumph, in collaboration with Toby Fueter. The commercial revolves around three girlfriends on a quest for the ideal bra fit. We conceptualized the project as a lively, musical extravaganza, complete with dancing and singing. Despite the tight deadline of less than three months, the commercial became a massive online sensation, amassing several million views.
THE EXPERT
For many years I led a series for Swiss Railways SBB focused on accident prevention for train workers, turning each episode into action-packed short films starring Swiss Hollywood Stuntman Oliver Keller. The goal was to grab attention, emphasizing safety protocols and promoting vigilance. Through dynamic storytelling and thrilling sequences, we aimed to raise awareness and responsibility, fostering a safer work environment and reducing accidents.
BELOW
In Switzerland, approximately 500,000 people suffer yearly from stumbling and falling accidents. With the multi-year campaign stolpern.ch, Suva - the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund - aims to reduce the number of these accidents.
For this purpose, I was commissioned to write and direct the awareness film ‘Below’. Told entirely from the perspective of a sneaker, the film recounts the day he has tragic accident.
DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY
My assignment was to craft a documentary-style film abundant with in-depth interviews for a private bank rooted in Liechtenstein. Our creative approach involved setting the entire narrative and interview sessions within a gritty factory setting, against the backdrop of immense LED screens meticulously constructed for the occasion. These screens served as canvases for projecting a blend of pre-produced and archival footage, enhancing the storytelling experience.
As it unfolded, the employees revealed a compelling narrative, resulting in a captivating tale centered around a Liechtenstein banking dynasty and a poignant incident.
