Editing

Naomi Holwill

Place of birth

West Calder, West Lothian, Scotland, UK

Known for

Editing

Credits

41 titles

Born in Lauder in the Scottish Borders, Naomi Holwill holds an MA in Art and Design, with distinction, and set-up the production company High Rising Productions, alongside Calum Waddell, in 2009. The outfit is responsible for a number of documentaries and featurettes that have appeared on global Blu-Ray and DVD releases, usually focused on cult films and filmmakers. In the space of her career in Blu-Ray and DVD feature production, Holwill has filmed many notable names and also directed a number of acclaimed full-length documentaries - for instance, her acclaimed documentary "Me Me Me Lai Bites Back" tracks the rise of seventies sex symbol Me Me Lai, one of the very first British-Asian pin-up…

Known for

42nd Street Memories: The Rise and Fall of America's Most Notorious Street poster
7.8

The story behind the rise and fall of New York's 42nd Street. The cinemas, the films, the people, the crime and the rebirth of the block as "New 42nd Street" - this is the document of the world's most notorious movie strip.

42nd Street Memories: The Rise and Fall of America's Most Notorious Street

2015

Category III: The Untold Story of Hong Kong Exploitation Cinema poster
5.6

An insightful look at the history of Hong Kong's exploitation cinema, from the early days of the Shaw Brothers and such shockers as "Killer Snakes" through to the advent of the Category III rating in 1988 and then the June 4th massacre in Beijing. The latter led to a panic in Hong Kong, before the Handover of the former UK colony to Mainland China, and a number of motion pictures proceeded to take freedom of speech (and sometimes political symbolism) to the extreme. This is the story of one of the most curious and invigorating periods in exploitation filmmaking.

Category III: The Untold Story of Hong Kong Exploitation Cinema

2018

The Hero of Heroic Bloodshed: A John Woo Documentary poster
8.0

A "talking head" documentary that relives the fascinating and furious career of John Woo - from his early work, and emergence as a director, to his heroic bloodshed classics which changed the face of Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s. Woo then moved to America and shook up Hollywood, as many of his peers and colleagues discuss in this extensive discussion of one of the 20th century's most important and vital celluloid names. Also features Woo himself, sitting down for an exclusive on-camera retrospective.

The Hero of Heroic Bloodshed: A John Woo Documentary

2025

Scream Queens: Horror Heroines Exposed poster
8.0

Directed by UK-horror scene stalwart Calum Waddell and hosted by scream queen Debbie Rochon (Terror Firmer, Tromeo and Juliet) Scream Queens: Horror Heroines Exposed features, in a change of pace for horror documentaries, especially those focusing on females in the genre, an all-female line-up, discussing horror movies from their perspective – exploring the challenges of being an actress in a genre predominantly made by and for men, from how they came about to be defined as a “scream queen”, about the vagaries of the genre: nudity, violence, misogyny, etc., and about how they feel about the genre and the label

Scream Queens: Horror Heroines Exposed

2014

Hong Kong Hustle: The Chinese Cinema Odyssey Of Stephen Chow poster
NR

The first feature-length documentary to explore the career of Stephen Chow; featuring collaborators, critics, and academics. Produced for the Shout Factory release of his classic work on Blu-ray, "The Stephen Chow Collection" released in 2024. Fans will learn how Chow went from Hong Kong's TVB to feature film riches, with his peculiar brand of localized comedy, to becoming one of the most successful brand names in Mainland China, including the blockbuster reception for his comedy "The Mermaid" in 2016.

Hong Kong Hustle: The Chinese Cinema Odyssey Of Stephen Chow

2024

Me Me Lai Bites Back poster
NR

Documentary on actress Me Me Lai, best known for playing native girls in several controversial Italian cannibal horror movies, which were seized during the video nasty era.

Me Me Lai Bites Back

2018

Film credits

Behind the camera

42nd Street Memories: The Rise and Fall of America's Most Notorious Street poster
7.8

The story behind the rise and fall of New York's 42nd Street. The cinemas, the films, the people, the crime and the rebirth of the block as "New 42nd Street" - this is the document of the world's most notorious movie strip.

42nd Street Memories: The Rise and Fall of America's Most Notorious Street

2015

Category III: The Untold Story of Hong Kong Exploitation Cinema poster
5.6

An insightful look at the history of Hong Kong's exploitation cinema, from the early days of the Shaw Brothers and such shockers as "Killer Snakes" through to the advent of the Category III rating in 1988 and then the June 4th massacre in Beijing. The latter led to a panic in Hong Kong, before the Handover of the former UK colony to Mainland China, and a number of motion pictures proceeded to take freedom of speech (and sometimes political symbolism) to the extreme. This is the story of one of the most curious and invigorating periods in exploitation filmmaking.

Category III: The Untold Story of Hong Kong Exploitation Cinema

2018

The Hero of Heroic Bloodshed: A John Woo Documentary poster
8.0

A "talking head" documentary that relives the fascinating and furious career of John Woo - from his early work, and emergence as a director, to his heroic bloodshed classics which changed the face of Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s. Woo then moved to America and shook up Hollywood, as many of his peers and colleagues discuss in this extensive discussion of one of the 20th century's most important and vital celluloid names. Also features Woo himself, sitting down for an exclusive on-camera retrospective.

The Hero of Heroic Bloodshed: A John Woo Documentary

2025

The Hero of Heroic Bloodshed: A John Woo Documentary poster
8.0

A "talking head" documentary that relives the fascinating and furious career of John Woo - from his early work, and emergence as a director, to his heroic bloodshed classics which changed the face of Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s. Woo then moved to America and shook up Hollywood, as many of his peers and colleagues discuss in this extensive discussion of one of the 20th century's most important and vital celluloid names. Also features Woo himself, sitting down for an exclusive on-camera retrospective.

The Hero of Heroic Bloodshed: A John Woo Documentary

2025

Scream Queens: Horror Heroines Exposed poster
8.0

Directed by UK-horror scene stalwart Calum Waddell and hosted by scream queen Debbie Rochon (Terror Firmer, Tromeo and Juliet) Scream Queens: Horror Heroines Exposed features, in a change of pace for horror documentaries, especially those focusing on females in the genre, an all-female line-up, discussing horror movies from their perspective – exploring the challenges of being an actress in a genre predominantly made by and for men, from how they came about to be defined as a “scream queen”, about the vagaries of the genre: nudity, violence, misogyny, etc., and about how they feel about the genre and the label

Scream Queens: Horror Heroines Exposed

2014

Hong Kong Hustle: The Chinese Cinema Odyssey Of Stephen Chow poster
NR

The first feature-length documentary to explore the career of Stephen Chow; featuring collaborators, critics, and academics. Produced for the Shout Factory release of his classic work on Blu-ray, "The Stephen Chow Collection" released in 2024. Fans will learn how Chow went from Hong Kong's TVB to feature film riches, with his peculiar brand of localized comedy, to becoming one of the most successful brand names in Mainland China, including the blockbuster reception for his comedy "The Mermaid" in 2016.

Hong Kong Hustle: The Chinese Cinema Odyssey Of Stephen Chow

2024

Me Me Lai Bites Back poster
NR

Documentary on actress Me Me Lai, best known for playing native girls in several controversial Italian cannibal horror movies, which were seized during the video nasty era.

Me Me Lai Bites Back

2018

Me Me Lai Bites Back poster
NR

Documentary on actress Me Me Lai, best known for playing native girls in several controversial Italian cannibal horror movies, which were seized during the video nasty era.

Me Me Lai Bites Back

2018

Fascism on a Thread: The Strange Story of Nazisploitation Cinema poster
6.5

Feature length documentary on the cult sub-genre featuring interviews with Dyanne ‘Ilsa’ Thorne, Malissa ‘Elsa’ Longo, filmmakers Sergio Garrone, Mariano Caiano, Rino Di Silvestro, Liliana Cavani, Bruno Mattei, and many more.

Fascism on a Thread: The Strange Story of Nazisploitation Cinema

2019

No artwork available
NR

An Interview With Critic And Hong Kong Film Expert Tony Rayns, About The Emergence, Key Players, And Success Of The Shaw Brothers Wuxia Film

Slicing At The Stars

2023

Behind the Swinging Blade poster
NR

Filmed exclusively for Arrow Video in 2013, this documentary looks at the making of The Pit and the Pendulum and features producer and director Roger Corman, star Barbara Steele, Vincent Price's daughter Victoria Price and more.

Behind the Swinging Blade

2014

From Romero to Rome: The Rise and Fall of the Italian Zombie Movie poster
5.9

The history of Italian zombie cinema, beginning with the breakout worldwide influence and success of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead and continuing through to Lucio Fulci's trend-setting Zombie Flesh-Eaters (Zombi 2) and its many imitators.

From Romero to Rome: The Rise and Fall of the Italian Zombie Movie

2012

From Shaw to Snakes: The Venom and Violence of Early Chinese Language Horror Cinema poster
NR

A look back at the largely undocumented period of early Chinese-language horror cinema, beginning in Hong Kong and the Shaw Brothers and graduating to Taiwan and the production of Calamity of Snakes in 1983.

From Shaw to Snakes: The Venom and Violence of Early Chinese Language Horror Cinema

2023

From Shaw to Snakes: The Venom and Violence of Early Chinese Language Horror Cinema poster
NR

A look back at the largely undocumented period of early Chinese-language horror cinema, beginning in Hong Kong and the Shaw Brothers and graduating to Taiwan and the production of Calamity of Snakes in 1983.

From Shaw to Snakes: The Venom and Violence of Early Chinese Language Horror Cinema

2023

No artwork available
NR

Short documentary about the making of Luigi Cozzi's 1989 film "The Black Cat".

The Other Mother: Making 'The Black Cat'

2010

No artwork available
NR

Produced for the "ultimate edition" of "Rollerball" from Capelight Pictures in Germany, 2020. The Blu-Ray of the original 1975 classic comes packed with this fascinating 85-minute documentary that charts the influence of "Rollerball" on contemporary scifi cinema, including "Mad Max", "The Warriors" and "Escape from New York", as well as the Italian variant that struck the big time with motion picture successes such as "The Bronx Warriors" franchise, "The New Barbarians" and the wonderfully trashy "Endgame".

From Rollerball to Rome - Reflection on a Sci-Fi Classic

2020

No artwork available
NR

Produced for the "ultimate edition" of "Rollerball" from Capelight Pictures in Germany, 2020. The Blu-Ray of the original 1975 classic comes packed with this fascinating 85-minute documentary that charts the influence of "Rollerball" on contemporary scifi cinema, including "Mad Max", "The Warriors" and "Escape from New York", as well as the Italian variant that struck the big time with motion picture successes such as "The Bronx Warriors" franchise, "The New Barbarians" and the wonderfully trashy "Endgame".

From Rollerball to Rome - Reflection on a Sci-Fi Classic

2020

No artwork available
NR

A documentary centered on The Brave Archer series featuring actors from the films alongside critics detailing the making of them.

Fine Archery: The Brave Archer Franchise

2023

No artwork available
NR

A documentary centered on The Brave Archer series featuring actors from the films alongside critics detailing the making of them.

Fine Archery: The Brave Archer Franchise

2023

No artwork available
6.0

Documentary about Mario Bava's film "The Girl Who Knew Too Much" and its impact on the Giallo genre.

All About the Girl: Memories of a Giallo Gem

2014

Naschy of the Full Moon poster
10.0

An affectionate look back at the life and career of Paul Naschy from those who worked with him, admired him and spent time with him. Produced for the Arrow DVD release of The Man with the Severed Head (AKA Crimson).

Naschy of the Full Moon

2011

No artwork available
NR

Extensive documentary on the making of Tobe Hooper's infamous 1985 science fiction flop LIFEFORCE. Features interviews with Hooper, producer Michael J. Kagan, editor John Grover, actors Aubrey Morris and Nicholas Ball, makeup artist Sandra Exelby, screenwriter Michael Armstrong, sound designer Vernon Messenger, artistic designers Tom Adams and Roger Stewart and effects artist John Schoonraad.

Cannon Fodder: The Making of Lifeforce

2013

Marauders from the Mediterranean: The Macabre Magic of the Spanish Zombie Film poster
NR

A feature-length documentary exploring the history of the Spanish zombie film.

Marauders from the Mediterranean: The Macabre Magic of the Spanish Zombie Film

2022

Marauders from the Mediterranean: The Macabre Magic of the Spanish Zombie Film poster
NR

A feature-length documentary exploring the history of the Spanish zombie film.

Marauders from the Mediterranean: The Macabre Magic of the Spanish Zombie Film

2022

The Unassuming Journeyman: The Exploitation Express of Ferdinando Baldi poster
8.0

No synopsis available yet.

The Unassuming Journeyman: The Exploitation Express of Ferdinando Baldi

2025

No artwork available
7.0

An interview portrait of the three Italian actresses Stefania Casini, Silvia Collatina & Barbara Magnolfi.

Ladies of Italian Horror

2012

Prince: The Peach and Black Times poster
6.5

Documentary featuring Dr. Fink (keyboards), Susan Rogers (sound engineer), Steve Purcell (editor), Leroy Bennett (stage and lighting design), Gert de Bruijn & Michiel Hoogeboezom (sound engineers), Dave Rusan (Rusan Guitarworks) and Edgar Kruize (author of ‘Prince: The Dutch Experience’).

Prince: The Peach and Black Times

2019

No artwork available
4.1

An in depth look at the making of The 'Burbs, from High Rising Productions. This feature-length documentary includes interviews with director Joe Dante, actors Corey Feldman, Courtney Gains and Wendy Schaal, director of photography Robert M. Stevens and production designer James H. Spencer.

There Goes the Neighborhood: The Making of The 'Burbs

2014

Jorge Grau: Catalonia's Cult Film King poster
NR

This is the first and only feature-length documentary on the life and cinema of the late Jorge Grau, who is most famous for his classic social-political horror masterpiece "Living Dead at Manchester Morgue" (1974), seen by some critics as a fierce critique of the Franco government albeit set in a displaced foreign locale.

Jorge Grau: Catalonia's Cult Film King

2020

Jorge Grau: Catalonia's Cult Film King poster
NR

This is the first and only feature-length documentary on the life and cinema of the late Jorge Grau, who is most famous for his classic social-political horror masterpiece "Living Dead at Manchester Morgue" (1974), seen by some critics as a fierce critique of the Franco government albeit set in a displaced foreign locale.

Jorge Grau: Catalonia's Cult Film King

2020

Parasite Memories: The Making of 'Shivers' poster
5.5

"Parasite Memories" is a brand new retrospective piece on the film produced by High Rising Productions with lively contribution from effects artist Joe Blasco, actresses Lynn Lowry and Barbara Steele, actor Allan Kolman, and Canadian critic Kier La-Janisse.

Parasite Memories: The Making of 'Shivers'

2014

The Young General: Reflections on Michael Reeves poster
8.0

A revealing insight into the short life and times of Michael Reeves.

The Young General: Reflections on Michael Reeves

2022

No artwork available
7.0

Five of the main players behind Dario Argento's classic horror shocker Phenomena (1985) sit down to take viewers through this exclusive, epic-sized, 52 minute making of feature documentary. This was compiled and created for the nationwide Arrow UK DVD and Blu Ray release of the film, which hit all British home video stores on March 7th 2011.

Dario Argento's Monkey Business: The Making of Phenomena

2011

All Eyes on Lenzi: The Life and Times of the Italian Exploitation Titan poster
6.0

A look back at the storied career of the late, great exploitation director Umberto Lenzi - as told through the director, in one of his last substantial sit-down interviews, colleagues and critics.

All Eyes on Lenzi: The Life and Times of the Italian Exploitation Titan

2018

The Emmanuelle Effect poster
NR

The very first feature-length discussion and breakdown of the entire "Emmanuelle" phenomenon - the atmosphere in Europe that led to the production of the original and its subsequent impact across the continent and indeed the world.

The Emmanuelle Effect

2020

The Life, Legend and Legacy of Donald P. Borchers poster
NR

A documentary looking at the life and times of Donald P. Borchers, one of Hollywood's most underrated and under-acknowledged independent film producers. Particularly associated with New World Pictures in the 1980s, Borchers made a considerable mark in Hollywood, including through launching such franchises as "Angel" and "Children of the Corn."

The Life, Legend and Legacy of Donald P. Borchers

2016

Raw, Rough and Rabid: The Lacerating Legacy of Cinépix poster
5.0

A featurette looking back at the early years of the celebrated Canadian production company, including interviews with author Kier-La Janisse and special make-up artist Joe Blasco.

Raw, Rough and Rabid: The Lacerating Legacy of Cinépix

2015

No artwork available
7.0

Documentary about the later works of director Lucio Fulci with special focus on "A Cat in the Brain".

Brain Food: Analysing Late Day Fulci

2018

No artwork available
7.0

Documentary about the later works of director Lucio Fulci with special focus on "A Cat in the Brain".

Brain Food: Analysing Late Day Fulci

2018

Seeding of a Trend: The Birth of Hong Kong Splatter Cinema poster
NR

Documentary that breaks down the rise of Hong Kong Splatter Cinema.

Seeding of a Trend: The Birth of Hong Kong Splatter Cinema

2017