Filmmaker Derek Frey was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia and has helmed Tim Burton Productions since 2001. Frey is currently producing Disney’s Dumbo, a live-action reimagining of the animation classic set for release in Spring 2019.
Prior to Dumbo, Frey executive produced Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and Big Eyes. In 2012 he co-produced Frankenweenie, which received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Animated Picture. That same year he produced the music video Here With Me for The Killers.
Frey associate produced the 2010 blockbuster Alice in Wonderland, as well as Dark Shadows, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Corpse Bride, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He produced the documentary A Conversation with Danny Elfman and Tim Burton; wrote the Frankenweenie-based short film Captain Sparky vs. the Flying Saucers; and edited the comprehensive and award-winning publication The Art of Tim Burton. In 2009 he worked closely with curators from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) on the creation of the highly popular and ongoing World of Tim Burton touring exhibition. Derek began his professional film career assisting Burton on Mars Attacks!, Sleepy Hollow, Planet of the Apes, and Big Fish.
Frey also directs independent films and music videos. His 2016 Hawaiian horror featurette Green Lake appeared in over forty film festivals, picking up multiple honors including Best Film at the L.A. Shorts Awards, Hollywood & Beyond Film Festival, and Honolulu Film Awards as well as Best Director at the Los Angeles Horror Competition and NYC Indie Film Awards. In 2014 his adulterous dramedy Motel Providence received the Golden Palm Award for Best Short at the Mexico International Film Festival, as well as Best Director at the World Film Awards and Best Comedy at the Media Film Festival. For the unorthodox working-class comedy Sky Blue Collar (2013), Derek was named Best Director by the Chicago Comedy and Mockfest Film Festivals.
In 2012, Frey directed The Ballad of Sandeep which moved audiences with its poignant tale of outsourcing and dynamic performance by actor Deep Roy. The film won Best Director at the Independent Film Quarterly Festival and Best Featurette at the Las Vegas International CineFest. Frey’s most recent directorial works Kill The Engine and God Came ‘Round are currently enjoying successful runs on the festival circuit.