ABOUT
Obstacle Films is a film production studio lead by BIFA-nominated filmmaker Oliver Nias, Creative Partner and filmmaker Matt Roberts, Executive Producer Hugo Peers (MJZ, Sonny London, Independent Entertainment) and Producer Erin Hughes.
Founded in 2012, we collaborate with care to bring emotional intelligence to brand storytelling through people-centric films and documentaries.
We operate globally with offices in London, Los Angeles and New York.
Our fine-tuned services and caring approach means that investment in storytelling with Obstacle guarantees brands an emotional connection with their audience.
APPROACH
Obstacle Films is the home of film with heart. We collaborate with care and work within precision processes. Our people-first approach allows creativity to flourish, clarity to reign and brings enjoyment to all.
GLOBAL
Obstacle operates globally with offices in London, Los Angeles and New York. We have produced films on every continent (except for Antarctica) and have an international network of filmmakers and crew.
People
Oliver Nias
Founder | Executive Producer
Oliver Nias is a BIFA-nominated filmmaker. He has been making films for over 17 years and is known for emotive ads and high concept movies. He started making films while studying English Literature at University College London. He is an avid reader to this day. He founded Obstacle Films in 2012.
HUGO PEERS
Executive Producer
During his time at Sonny London and MJZ, Hugo Peers was involved with some of largest commercial ad campaigns of the last decade. He started in film at Independent Entertainment and Future Films before heading to Steam Media. His life’s quest is to travel the world and sample its foods.
Erin Hughes
Producer
Erin Hughes works across every production at Obstacle Films, from our original short films to our international productions. She trained in contemporary dance at Trinity Laban and is a prolific contributor to creative projects in arts & culture. She is co-founder of Birthday Fish Theatre where she writes and performs physical theatre.
MATT ROBERTS
Creative Partner
Matt Roberts is known for people-centric creative direction. He is the storytelling force behind over one hundred ad campaigns. He began his career as founder and artistic director of new writing company Papatango, directed for BAFTA-winning writer Dominic Mitchell and has since written and directed a Disney-bought movie.
rose palmer
Creative Partner
Rose Palmer draws on her psychology PhD and background in journalism to tells human stories with empathy, as a producer and photographer. She produced the feature '1001 Days' which premiered at IDFA and Sheffield Doc Fest. As producer in the Bafta-winning films team of the Economist newspaper, she covered topics ranging from The Erosion of Press Freedom Globally to How Putin is Silencing his Opponents. Rose has told brand stories for Rolex, Blancpain, Yahoo Studios and UCL.
MAX & HARRY LAW
Creative Partners
Max + Harry are a filmmaking force. By channelling their work as writers, directors, producers and editors, the duo drive brand growth through smart, emotive content. Their work has played in Times Square, on the Sydney Opera house, opened London Design Week, received over 50 million views worldwide and driven growth for clients including the BBC, Sony, Universal, The Warner Group, Red Bull Racing, Polestar, Jimmy Choo, Ribena, Alexander McQueen and Barclays.
CLARA RETTINGER
Growth Manager
Clara Rettinger is a connector. She matches brands with the people and ideas that deliver meaningful results. Her unique blend of strategic thinking and creativity makes her a dynamic force in the production ecosystem, bringing deep knowledge of sales (HubSpot) and scriptwriting to all of our collaborations.
SALAL TARAR
Finance Director
Salal Tarar ACCA MSc BSc is a leading finance expert, drawing from specialist knowledge of the creative sector and production company accounting.
SAM FEATHERSTONE
Head of Sound
Grammy nominated music producer and audio specialist Sam Featherstone has worked on award-winning films and with multi-platinum selling recording artists. His first feature film credit came with British independent film Everyone's Going to Die, producing composer Charlie Simpson's original score. He was post-production supervisor on Obstacle's BIFA-nominated feature film The Return.