Actor and Filmmaker Michael Nardelli can be seen starring in the psychological thriller Circle (2015). Co-starring Julie Benz and Carter Jenkins, Circle focuses on 50 strangers who are held captive. They face imminent execution and are forced to choose the one person among them who deserves to live. The film premiered at the 2015 Seattle International Film Festival, where it was highlighted as part of the festival’s Catalyst program for exciting new filmmakers. It also screened at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con, and the 2015 Savannah Film Festival. Circle was purchased by Netflix and released it in October of 2015. Film Buff distributed the film on all VOD platforms that same year. It’s become a cult hit; with fans still debating it’s themes and ending online. You can buy the film on iTunes. Michael made his professional acting debut as Stradivarius Helberg on the television show Quintuplets. He then co-starred in the independent film the Derby Stallion opposite Zac Efron and the comedy Grassroots with Jason Biggs. Soon after, Michael portrayed a lovesick teenager in the 3D horror film The Collection, and he has recurred on various television shows including My Name is Earl, CSI: New York, The Client List, The Mob Doctor, Revenge, Nashville and Hart of Dixie. Michael recently completed a role in the independent film The Tribe from first-time director Roxy Shih. He plays a psychologically tormented young man left to survive on his own in a post-apocalyptic desert. Michael was nominated for Best Lead Actor by the Nice International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema for his performance in The Tribe. Michael can be seen on TV’s American Crime Story: The People Vs. OJ Simpson and the indie thriller Cassidy Way. A comedic short film he wrote/produced/stars in titled We’ll Get It is also making its way across the film festival circuit. In 2010, Michael established himself as an independent film producer. His films include Another Happy Day, where he acted opposite Ezra Miller, Kate Bosworth and Demi Moore. It won the Waldo Salt Award for Best Screenplay at the 27th Sundance Film Festival and was an Official Selection in the Sundance Dramatic Competition that year. Another Happy Day was released theatrically by Phase4 later that year. Michael went on to produce the romantic comedy The Giant Mechanical Man starring Jenna Fischer, Topher Grace, Malin Akerman, Chris Messina, Lucy Punch and Bob Odenkirk. It was an Official Selection of the Tribeca Film Festival in 2012, and purchased by Tribeca Film for theatrical distribution that year. Michael’s directorial debut came in the short film Dennis Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The short is a satirical dark comedy featuring a character Michael created while studying with famed LA improv troupe The Groundlings. It premiered at the 2015 LA Comedy Fest and 2015 Palm Shortfest & Film Market. The short also went on to win Best Short Film at the 2015 Atlanta Underground Film Festival, and Michael won Best Male Actor in A Short at the 2015 Chicago Comedy Film Festival. The film also played at Savannah Film Festival in 2015. It can now be seen on Vimeo, Youtube, and Shorts.TV Later this year, Michael will direct his first feature film entitled The Transgression, from a screenplay he wrote. He’s also developed and executive-producing Stardrive, a serialized science-fiction television show. He is shooting Dark/Web, a horror-anthology series he created with Circle director Mario Miscione and brother Tim Nardelli. It will launch on the popular film blog LRMonline.com in 2016. Michael has written, produced and starred in several webisodes for FunnyorDie and is an active contributor to the website. Outside of work, he is involved with a number of charities, including the Path Organization and Autism Speaks. He’s also a self-proclaimed science fiction, comic book and gamer nerd. He received his bachelor’s degree in film and theater from University of Southern California.