Paul Kiener(1946-2020)

Paul Kiener 's film career started at 15 years old in the backyard of his boyhood home in Salt Lake City, Utah using his father's 8mm movie camera. Talking friends and family into starring in and directing thirteen movies, he would continue his passion for filmmaking throughout high school. Later while attending Brooks Institute of Photography and studying under Merle Dobre producer of the Academy Award Winning "Endless Summer," he would earn his first award for filmmaking when he produced the best black and white commercial there in 1967. It was under Mel Hardman, the creator of Sun Classic Pictures, that he would learn the art of hand-holding 16mm cameras, that allowed him to film kayaks riding the rapids of the Grand Canyon or filming the world's fastest cars as they attempt to set the World Land Speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. While serving in the National Guard, he would produce training and promotional films for the Utah, California and Texas National Guard. His work for the Guard would bring him national recognition. With his military background he would produce other feature documentaries including the "Horrors of War" series and the Golden Commemoration of WWII. Never one to be satisfied with a single genre, he would go on to produce and direct B-movies including "The Streak Car Company," "Savage Water," "Wendigo," and "Xpedition." He is in production of his latest feature film "Cataract Gold" an historical western due out in 2017.