Matt Shea is a renowned British documentary filmmaker, journalist, and presenter whose remarkable body of work frequently delves into the realms of crime and fringe stories, captivating audiences worldwide.
Shea's illustrious career began as a writer for VICE Magazine, where he later transitioned to producing a plethora of films and series as the medium expanded into digital, broadcast, and feature documentaries. Notable among his projects is the critically acclaimed documentary series Gaycation, featuring the talented actor Elliot Page, as well as the thought-provoking Chemsex.
As the creator, producer, and presenter of High Society, a documentary series that sheds light on the UK's drug culture, Shea has gained unparalleled access to real criminals, offering a unique perspective on the subject. His feature-length documentary Time To Die, which took four years to complete, is an award-winning exposé on the illegal underground global network that illegally sources, buys, and sells assisted-dying methods.
Shea's extensive portfolio also includes a range of viral VICE documentaries, such as Iceman, Targeted Individuals, The Pink Cocaine Wave, Ravers Vs. Putin, The Celebrity Millionaires of Competitive Gaming, and The Last Festival on Earth, cementing his status as a master storyteller.
Moreover, Shea is distinguished by his groundbreaking work, earning him recognition from fellow filmmakers and reporters for being the first journalist and presenter to gain access to the Albanian Mafia and Colombian Clan Del Golfo Cartel, as featured in the Channel 4 documentary A New Cocaine Mafia.
Additionally, Shea's special VICE report, The Dangerous Rise of Andrew Tate, released in January 2023, garnered widespread attention, although it later faced criticism due to allegations of fabricating lies. Furthermore, he played a significant role in producing two well-received drug programs for Netflix and Channel 5, Britain's Cocaine Epidemic and Dope, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the documentary filmmaking world.