Foundation Features

In 1998, Rob Merilees co-created one of the top independent film companies in the market, Infinity Features. With extensive on-set experience and depth of understanding in film financing, Merilees has worked to bring dozens of feature projects to fruition. Over the past ten years, Merilees has helped put together over US$250M in financing for feature films and television.  Merilees has recently created FOUNDATION FEATURES, a new company comprised of the former Infinity Features team.

In addition to financing, Merilees has been physically producing feature films for thirteen years. One of the most ambitious feature film projects in Canadian history, THE SNOW WALKER, starring Barry Pepper and James Cromwell, was developed, financed and produced by Merilees and was shot in Canada’s high Arctic over the course of a year. The film opened theatrically to four-star reviews and multiple awards. The Snow Walker has smashed its DVD sales goals in Canada and the USA.

Not limited to producing films in his home base of Vancouver, Merilees has shot features all over the world in the effort to get the most production value and dollars on screen. He maintains an excellent reputation with banks, funding agencies, distributors, broadcasters, and completion bonders. Merilees is seen to bring added value to projects with his years of experience and extensive technical knowledge of all phases of motion picture management including script development, financing, pre-production through to post, and final elements including the sale and revenue collection of completed films.

In addition to his role as producer, Merilees has assisted in the financing and management of a successful post-production facility in Vancouver. He frequently speaks as a film financing and production expert on panels and symposiums.

Merilees was a producer on the New Line Cinema romantic comedy, JUST FRIENDS, starring Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, and Anna Faris. He also produced another New Line film, THE CLEANER, starring Cedric the Entertainer and Lucy Liu.

In 2007, Merilees produced SLEEPWALKING with producer-star Charlize Theron’s company, Denver and Delilah Films and WJS Productions.  The drama stars Theron, Nick Stahl, Anna Sophia Robb, Dennis Hopper and Woody Harrelson and premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

In 2008 Merilees completed the film STONE OF DESTINY, his second feature with writer/director Charles Martin Smith.  The film was shot on location in Glasgow, Scotland and stars Charlie Cox, Kate Mara, Billy Boyd and Robert Carlyle.  STONE OF DESTINY was selected as the Closing Night Gala – Toronto International Film Festival 2008.

Merilees produced the third installment of THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT film franchise called BUTTERFLY EFFECT: REVELATION in association with Film Engine and Benderspink productions. The film was shot in Detroit, Michigan during the fall of 2008 and released in early 2009.

Merilees also currently executive produced the 1hr primetime drama series MENTAL for FOX Television Studios. All 13 episodes of the first season were shot in Bogota, Columbia. The series stars Chris Vance (PRISON BREAK) and Annabella Sciorra (LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT and THE SOPRANOS).

Merilees is currently in post-production on ALTITUDE, a thriller directed by Kaare Andrews and produced with The Escape Factory and Arclight Films.

In 2008, Merilees was voted Canadian Producer of the Year by the Canadian Film and Television Producers Association. As well, he was selected as one of the 20 most interesting producers, directors and actors in Canada by a jury of his peers for the 2009 Victoria Film Festival.