Derik Murray, the founder and creative force behind Network Entertainment, began his career creating evocative images as an advertising photographer and television commercial director, and the producer and creative director of best-selling pictorial books featuring global icons. From there, he turned his focus and vision to producing and directing high-profile television and film projects.

 

Since producing Network’s first feature documentary — the Academy Award-shortlisted Facing Ali with Lionsgate Entertainment — Derik has architected a robust slate of premium documentary content, including the award-winning I AM series of films, which profile some of the entertainment world’s most iconic personalities. Derik produced and co-directed I Am Chris Farley, which premiered at Chicago’s Second City and was on the iTunes All-Time Best Sellers list in 2018, and I Am Heath Ledger, which premiered in April 2017 at the Tribeca Film Festival. He produced I Am MLK Jr., I Am Richard Pryor, which debuted at SXSW in 2019, and I Am Patrick Swayze, which premiered at the 2019 San Antonio Film Festival, winning the Grand Prize Award, leading into its U.S. premiere on Paramount Network and was the highest-rated and most-watched documentary in 2019 with over two million viewers. Derik’s ever-growing body of work boasts collaborations with revered pop culture icons, including legendary fashion designer John Varvatos and punk pioneer Iggy Pop on the four-part PUNK series, and executive producer and host Robert Downey Jr. on the eight-part The Age of A.I. series, which garnered over 47 million views.

 

His work has been recognized by the Academy Awards, the Emmys, the Realscreen Awards, the Gemini Awards, The People’s Choice Awards, and the Leo Awards, and his films have premiered at leading film festivals including the Los Angeles Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, SXSW Film Festival, Houston International Film Festival, and the International Film and Television Festival of New York.

 

Derik's films have attracted consistent media support including premium coverage on television including: Good Morning America, The Today Show, Dateline, CBS This Morning, Nightline, Extra, APTV, and Entertainment Tonight, and in print and online media: People Magazine (multiple covers and feature spreads), USA Today, L.A. Times, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, New York Post, Esquire, Variety, Vogue, Hollywood Reporter, CNN, Deadline Hollywood, and Entertainment Weekly.