Michael Webber (filmmaker)

This article is about the film director. For other people named Michael Webber, see Michael Webber (disambiguation).
Michael Webber
Occupation(s)Film director, producer, cinematographer, visual effects supervisor
Years active2000s–present
OrganizationNightFly Entertainment
Notable workThe Conservation Game (2021)
The Elephant in the Living Room (2010)
The Student Body (2016)
Like Dandelion Dust (2009)

Michael Webber (also known as Mike Webber) is an American motion picture producer, director, and cinematographer best known for his cinema verité style investigative documentaries The Elephant in the Living Room (2010) and The Conservation Game (2021), both of which focus on issues surrounding exotic animal ownership and wildlife conservation.[1][2] His films have received critical acclaim and have contributed to societal and legislative change.[3][4][5] Webber is the president and CEO of NightFly Entertainment and CEO of MainSail Productions.[6]

Early life and career

Webber began his career as a writer, screenwriter, visual effects supervisor, and commercial director. He produced multiple theatrical films for studios including 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate. After producing two films in Europe, Webber returned to the US to focus on investigative documentary filmmaking, a style and genre with which he had no previous experience.[7][8] This marked a significant shift in his career, a move that would create a significant impact in the conservation and animal welfare space.[9][10][11][12][13] Emmy Award-winning journalist Jay Schradler of ABC News' 20/20 profiled Webber's investigative filmmaking methodology.[14][15]

Documentary filmmaking

The Conservation Game (2021)

The Conservation Game is Webber's three-year undercover investigation into television celebrity conservationists and their alleged connections to the exotic pet trade. The documentary focuses particularly on Jack Hanna and allegations that "ambassador animals" like tiger cubs, which appeared with him on shows like The Tonight Show and Good Morning America, were actually being sourced from unaccredited facilities rather than accredited zoos as Hanna and others would suggest.[16][17][18][19]

The film premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where it won the Social Justice Award.[20] The Santa Barbara Independent referred to the film as a "bombshell,"[21] Film Threat described it as "shocking,"[22] while many reviewers made comparisons to Blackfish and The Cove.

The day after the film's premiere, Hanna's family suddenly announced on Twitter that he was stepping away from public life due to fast progression of dementia. The timing of the announcement, raised eyebrows. Scott Marks, movie critic for the San Diego Reader, commented that "the cynic in me questions the timing... wondering if the family is using (the announcement) to keep the media from the door. Mom always told me not to speak ill of the ill. In this case, one doesn't have to. The facts speak for themselves."[23]

Also following the film's release, Hanna's Columbus Zoo and Aquarium lost its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, with AZA president Dan Ashe acknowledging that animal practices revealed in the film were "more substantial and concerning" than previously understood.[24]

The film also contributed to the passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act, with Congressman Mike Quigley stating that "'The Conservation Game' shines a light on an important issue that my colleagues and I in Congress have been working diligently to address for years."[5] One year following the release of the film, the act was signed into law in December 2022.[25]

The Elephant in the Living Room (2010)

Webber's 2010 documentary The Elephant in the Living Room (Netflix) exposed the American exotic pet trade through Tim Harrison, an Ohio public safety officer whose friend was killed by an pet rhino viper, and Terry Brumfield, who raised African lions in his home as pets.[2]

The documentary received widespread critical acclaim with Academy Award-winning director Michael Moore calling the film "One of the scariest, most entertaining and technically perfect films."[14][9][26][27][28] The Humane Society of the United States awarded the film a Genesis Award.[4] The film also contributed to Ohio's passage of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act in 2012, transforming the state from having minimal exotic animal regulations to what advocates described as a "national model" for exotic animal laws.[29]

The Student Body (2016)

The Student Body, co-directed with his daughter Bailey Webber, is Webber's second Netflix-released documentary that investigated state mandated BMI testing programs in school and the negative impact on students. The film received critical praise for its investigative approach.[30] The documentary won the Independent Spirit Award at the Sedona International Film Festival and directly influenced lawmakers approach to the obesity epidemic among children.[31]

Tiger King and cultural commentary

Following the 2020 release of Netflix's Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, The New York Times article by Rachel Nuwer titled "Why 'Tiger King' Is Not 'Blackfish' for Big Cats," quoted Webber openly criticizing the series for creating what he termed a false equivalency between legitimate animal sanctuaries and exploitative operations, arguing that the show prioritized sensationalism over truthfulness.[32] His criticism was also featured in the Longreads podcast "What 'Tiger King' Gets Wrong About Tigers."[33]

Many film critics mentioned Webber's filmmaking style as a direct contrast to Tiger King's sensationalistic, reality TV approach. Critics noted that "wisely, director Michael Webber takes an approach that is the polar opposite of The Tiger King".[34] Film critic Andy Howell characterized the difference as "If Tiger King is the tabloid take on the big cat story, The Conservation Game is the Pro Publica version", even drawing a literary parallel: "Tiger King is Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and The Conservation Game is Hamlet. The farce is good for a few laughs, but the tragedy has more staying power."[22]

Carole Baskin, who featured prominently in Tiger King, was highly critical of the series and its directors, claiming that they misrepresented themselves during the production and her in the show.[35][36] By contrast, Baskin and her husband Howard openly endorsing The Conservation Game in the media, while also attending premieres for the film.[37][38] Baskin stated that The Conservation Game represented "the documentary she thought Tiger King would be."[39] Baskin land Webber later collaborated on Capitol Hill advocacy for the Big Cat Public Safety Act.[40]

Filmography

Documentary films

Year Title Role Distributor Notes
2021 The Conservation Game Director, producer, cinematographer Peacock Winner at Santa Barbara International Film Festival
2016 The Student Body Co-director, producer, cinematographer Netflix Winner of Independent Spirit Award at Sedona Film Festival; co-directed with Bailey Webber
2010 The Elephant in the Living Room Director, Producer, Cinematographer Netflix Won 5 Best Documentary Awards; #1 independent film in US for 3 weeks

Films

Year Title Role Distributor Notes
2013 The Devil You Know Producer VOD release Mystery thriller starring Rosamund Pike and Lena Olin
2009 Like Dandelion Dust Co-producer 20th Century Fox Drama starring Mira Sorvino and Barry Pepper; 26 film festival awards
2008 House Co-producer Lionsgate Horror film based on novel by Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti
2006 Thr3e Co-producer 20th Century Fox Psychological thriller based on Ted Dekker novel
2006 The Visitation Co-producer 20th Century Fox Supernatural thriller starring Edward Furlong and Martin Donovan

Awards

Year Award Category Work Result
2021 Santa Barbara International Film Festival Social Justice Award The Conservation Game Won
2021 Animalis Fabula Film Festival Outstanding Achievement Award The Conservation Game Won
2016 Sedona Film Festival Independent Spirit Award The Student Body Won
2011 Humane Society of the United States Genesis Award The Elephant in the Living Room Won
2010 Traverse City Film Festival Director's Choice Award The Elephant in the Living Room Won
2010 SilverDocs/AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival ACE Award The Elephant in the Living Room Won
2010 Burbank International Film Festival Best Socially Conscious Film The Elephant in the Living Room Won
2010 Burbank International Film Festival Best Documentary The Elephant in the Living Room Won
2010 The United Film Festivals (London) Best Documentary The Elephant in the Living Room Won
2010 Sedona International Film Festival Best Documentary The Elephant in the Living Room Won
2009 Various film festivals Best Feature Film (26 awards) Like Dandelion Dust Won

References

  1. ^ Marks, Scott (May 6, 2021). "The Conservation Game - The Real Tiger Kind". The San Diego Reader. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Catsoulis, Jeannette (April 7, 2011). "Exotic Pets on the Run". The New York Times. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  3. ^ Smola Shaffer, Jennifer (April 17, 2021). "Conservation Game documentary ties Columbus Zoo, Jack Hanna to unchecked big cat trade". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved Aug 8, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Sierra, Gabrielle (March 21, 2011). "Hollywood Celebrates Animal Protection Groups Oscar Night for Animals". Broadway World. Retrieved Aug 8, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Ramachandran, Naman (August 11, 2021). "'The Conservation Game': Endangered Big Cats Documentary Revealed (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved Aug 8, 2025.
  6. ^ Steiss, Kurt (April 1, 2011). "Elephant in the Living Room delves into subculture of exotic Animals". The Toledo Blade. Retrieved Aug 8, 2025.
  7. ^ Walsh, Elizabeth (September 11, 2023). "A Conversation with Michael Webber". KTEP ACT Radio. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  8. ^ Edwards, Dan (October 20, 2022). "Docu-Film Director Michael Webber, Lions, Tiger King and Bears..Oh My!". A Greater Dayton. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "The Elephant in the Living Room". Wright State University. April 21, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  10. ^ "Review: The Elephant in the Living Room". Flixist. 20 February 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  11. ^ "IFFBoston Movie Review And Interview: Michael Webber's 'The Elephant In The Living Room'". SlashFilm. 2 May 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  12. ^ McGranaghan, Mike. "The Elephant in the Living Room". The Aisle Seat. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  13. ^ "The Elephant in the Living Room puts almost any film released this year to shame". Toledo Free Press. 2011.
  14. ^ a b Schadler, Jay (March 24, 2011). "'Elephant in Living Room' Warns About Exotic Pets". ABC News. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  15. ^ Schadler, Jay (August 18, 2012). "The Elephant in the Living Room". ABC 20/20. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  16. ^ "The Conservation Game: Watch Trailer for Endangered Cats Documentary". Variety. August 25, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  17. ^ Dodge, Tom (November 13, 2021). "Lions, tigers and an unbearable year for Jack Hanna's zoo". Associated Press / Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  18. ^ Cairns, Adam (May 29, 2018). "Columbus Zoo, once widely admired, loses main accreditation". Associated Press / The Detroit News. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  19. ^ Guttman, Joshua (October 14, 2021). "Exclusive: Tim Harrison Talks Uncovering a Massive Exotic Animal Trade in "The Conservation Game"". The Knockturnal. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  20. ^ "The Conservation Game (2021)". Gateway Film Center. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  21. ^ "The Conservation Game Review". Santa Barbara Independent. 2021.
  22. ^ a b Howell, Andy (April 8, 2021). "The Conservation Game Review". Film Threat. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  23. ^ "Movie Review: The Conservation Game is the real Tiger King". San Diego Reader. May 6, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  24. ^ Ashe, Dan (October 6, 2020). "AZA Statement on AZA Accreditation Commission's Denial of Accreditation to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium". Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  25. ^ Diaz, Daniella (December 4, 2020). "Invoking 'Tiger King', House passes bill banning big cat ownership". CNN. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  26. ^ "The Elephant in the Living Room". Variety. March 31, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  27. ^ Thomas, Kevin. "The Elephant in the Living Room". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 17, 2025 – via Metacritic.
  28. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (April 7, 2011). "The Elephant in the Living Room". The New York Times. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  29. ^ "The Conservation Game Filmmaker And Columbus Zoo Officials Address Controversy". WOSU Public Media. August 19, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  30. ^ Angulo Chen, Sandie (2016). "The Student Body Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  31. ^ "Winner of the 2016 Independent Spirit Award". Sedona Film Festival. Sedona Film Festival. November 5, 2016.
  32. ^ "Why 'Tiger King' Is Not 'Blackfish' for Big Cats". The New York Times. April 9, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  33. ^ "What 'Tiger King' Gets Wrong About Tigers". Longreads. April 30, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  34. ^ Wolf, George (September 10, 2021). "The Conservation Game". The Columbus Underground. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  35. ^ "Tiger King 2: Carole Baskin Slams Netflix Show, Directors (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. September 23, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  36. ^ "Tiger King Creators Respond To Carole Baskin Criticism". Refinery29. March 29, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  37. ^ "Carole Baskin wants you to forget 'Tiger King' and watch 'The Conservation Game'". WTOP News. June 28, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  38. ^ "THE CONSERVATION GAME - a Michael Webber film". Big Cat Rescue. February 21, 2025. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  39. ^ "Carole Baskin wants you to forget 'Tiger King' and watch 'The Conservation Game'". WTOP News. February 28, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  40. ^ "Carole Baskin: People 'will be outraged' by conditions exotic animals face". The Hill. June 25, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
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