NICLAS GILLIS is a Swedish writer and director and has been compared to Pier Paolo Pasolini by New York Magazine and championed by Nike as “the premier talent to watch. ”His experimental short film, “The Cave”, won the People’s Choice Award at the 30 Under 30 Film Festival in New York, and his critically acclaimed drama short film, “Hold Me Down”, was renowned as “a powerful, powerful drama” by CNN. 

With “Hold Me Down”, Gillis sought to provide a platform for women in poverty to raise awareness of the conditions that they face and inspire change. Based on true events, the film depicts a day in the life of a 19-year-old single mother and sex worker in The South Bronx, and features a cast of real-life survivors of sexual exploitation and domestic abuse. Thanks in part to a partnership with the NGO, Project Rousseau, the women involved were able to escape the clutches of prostitution, gain stability in their lives, and pursue higher education.  

Beyond his narrative and commercial work as a writer and director, Gillis has worked as a trailer producer for Viasat in London, a story consultant for Universal Pictures International in Los Angeles, and as a writer on film for The Last Magazine in New York.

He studied media and communication at Berghs School of Communication in Stockholm before continuing his studies in film at New York University. He is the founder of The Collectif. Gillis currently resides in Stockholm.

Selected Works

Trouble Child - feature - in development
Dödsdansen - feature - in pre-production
Nike: I, David - dance short (director/writer) - 2017
Hold Me Down - short (director/writer) - 2017
Min Liu - video portrait - 2016
A Portrait of Ian Hylton - video portrait (director) - 2015
The Cave - short (director/writer/actor) - 2014
Native Son - fashion short (director/writer/actor) - 2014

Agent: William Crona

Hold Me Down
“Raw and teeming with social dialogue, Hold Me Down is a powerhouse short film that takes a sledgehammer to gender roles whilst never loosening its grip on the audience’s collar.” UK Film Review

“This film crams as much poignancy into 30 minutes as is physically possible, and it is an incredible watch.” BRWC

“There are very few movies that I would urge everyone, no matter the type of film you’re usually into, to watch. But this is one of them.” Cultured Vultures

“Hands down near the very top of the list of the best films I've seen in 2018 and many other years as well.” Unseen Films

Reviews and Awards

Hold me down Vimeo Staff Pick - Selected

Harlem International Film Festival - Winner of Best Short Film

Odense International Film festival - Official Selection

Göteborg International Film Festival - Official Selection

Nordic Film Festival, New York - nominated

Swedish Embassy, Washington, DC - Special Screening

The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC - Special Screening

The Kickstarter Screening Room, New York - Special Screening

The Cave
“A screeching, viscerally powerful study in sensory deprivation.” The Imagista

The 30 under 30 Film Festival - Winner of The People’s Choice Award

Brooklyn Film Festival - Official Selection

Native Son
New York Magazine - Selected for March Best Fashion Videos