Mihkel Harilaid

Mihkel Harilaid

Born	(1966-12-26) 26 December 1966 Ontario, Canada
Occupation	CEO and Executive Producer
Years active	1992–present

Mihkel Harilaid, also known as Mike Harilaid, is a philanthropist, hobbyist, a Certified Property Manager, as well as CEO & Executive Producer of Black Walk, a Canadian Feature Film and Television Production Company.^[1]

Career

Mihkel has pushed himself to become an industry leader in several different fields, always looking for a new and exciting challenge. After making lucrative deals at a very early age he entered the field of Real Estate, also the chosen area of expertise for his father, and soon after began finding a firm foothold in Film and Television Production.

Real Estate

At an early age Mihkel began making lucrative Investment deals and found he shared an interest with his father of land, development, and property deals. Very soon after he received his Brokerage License he formed the Harilaid Corporation and has remained President ever since.

Harilaid Corporation is dedicated to top quality Development and Management in the Real Estate field. Mihkel Harilaid, President, has been a registered Real Estate Broker with 4 Sevens Realty Ltd. for more than 20 years. Mihkel holds the prestigious Certified Property Manager^[2] designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management. He also was the youngest person to earn the CPM as well as FRI designations.

Harilaid Corporation is focused on environmentally conscious and diverse investments. The goal is to work with tenants, the community and business for profitable and sustainable growth. Mihkel and the Harilaid Corporation owns and operates several properties including apartment buildings, farm buildings, and a low income property in Port Hope, Ontario called The Tower Hotel, which is currently undergoing renovations and upgrades.^[3]^[4]

Film & Television

Mihkel Harilaid is the Executive Producer and President of Black Walk Corporation, a leading Canadian Film and Television Producer. With over 20 years of production experience, Mihkel oversees all aspects of the production company, from creative to business affairs.

Starting his career in Music Videos, Mihkel produced over 500 clips, many of which have won international acclaim, including 36 MMVAs and a number of other awards. Mihkel and Black Walk worked with talents like Alanis Morissette, Hootie & the Blowfish, and Shaggy. During this time, Black Walk became an absolute leader in the field of Production, helping to launch careers, and Mihkel himself worked as Music Producer on albums as well.

Anticipating the decline of the Music Video Industry in the early 2000s,^[5] Mihkel decided to shift the focus of Black Walk to feature films. In 2002 he released his second feature film “Ham and Cheese”. This was followed quickly with “Phil the Alien,” premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival. In total, Mihkel has produced 12 feature films and numerous television programs, including Dramatic series' and Documentary specials.

Filmed in Late 2011, Mihkel Executive Produced ‘Two Hands to Mouth”, his second feature with Michael DeCarlo, which premiered at the Madrid International Film Festival, and is currently available for release.

One of his newest projects, "Dark Rising: Warrior of Worlds," a continuation of the "Dark Rising" Franchise, is being aired on SuperChannel during the summer of 2014. Written by Mihkel and Andrew Cymek, starring Brigitte Kingsley and Jacob Blair, the story is a departure from the usual, lighter "Dark Rising" antics and takes on a much more dramatic theme in order to deal with new ideas and draw a new audience.

For up to date news, you can visit BlackWalk.com or Black Walk Corporation's FaceBook Page.

Credits

Mihkel's producer credits include:^[6]

"Dark Rising: Warrior of Worlds" Written by Mihkel Harilaid and Andrew Cymek, Directed by Andrew Cymek, and featuring Brigitte Kingsley, Nug Nahrgang, and Jacob Blair.
"Hookin' Up with Nick and Mariko" A World Fishing Network series following Nick Honachefsky and Mariko Izumi as they travel on a mission for fishin' and a ton of fun.
"Two Hands to Mouth" Written and Directed by Michael DeCarlo and featuring Art Hindle, Richard Zeppieri, Vincent Walsh, and Kate Trotter.
"Medium Raw: Night of the Wolf" Directed by Andrew Cymek and featuring John Rhys-Davies, Mercedes McNab and William B. Davis
Suck Directed by Rob Stefaniuk and featuring Jessica Paré, Moby, Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Dave Foley and Malcolm McDowell.
Dark Rising, Summer Strikes Back and The Savage Tales of Summer Vale starring Brigitte Kingsley and Jay Reso
Ham & Cheese Directed by Warren Sonoda and starring Mike Beaver, Jason Jones and Samantha Bee.
Phil the Alien Directed by Rob Stefaniuk',^[7] with Oscar-nominated Graham Greene and winner of the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival Independent Spirit Award winner.
Last Hour directed by Pascal Caubet and starring DMX, Michael Madsen, David Carradine, and Paul Sorvino.

Education

Harilaid started his education at Trinity College School, where he graduated in 1985. Currently he is a chairman of the TCS Alumni Association. He then went to Trinity College at the University of Toronto where he received a BA in History in 1989. He later became a Certified Property Manager with the Institute of Real Estate Management^[2] and his FPI and CRF from the Real Estate Institute of Canada (REIC).^[8]

Family

Harilaid's surname is derived from his family's ancestral home in Harilaid, Estonia. He currently lives in the Toronto Area with his two children whom he pushes to the same level of excellence he has always strived for.

Politics and Activism

Harilaid, an active environmentalist, was the Green Party candidate in the Federal Elections in Ajax—Pickering in 2008^[9] and 2011.^[10]^[11] Although no longer campaigning for office, he continues to be involved in his local community and an active supporter of several charities in the area.

Interests

Mihkel has long been a person who pursues new and exciting challenges. He has taken to learning new skills whenever he can, everything from the Culinary Arts and Art Collection to Mechanical Studies. He is a Gun Collector, has written 2 Cook Books, a World Traveller, an accomplished Scuba Diver, a Motorcycle Enthusiast (namely his Harley-Davidson he drove across Canada), Landscaper, and is always seeking to add to this list.

Mihkel currently maintains a self-sustaining farm at his home complete with poultry, fish, vegetables, an apiary, and is in plans to outfit the property with Solar Energy.

References

↑ "Corporate Profile". Black Walk Films. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
↑ 2.0 2.1 "Mihkel Harilaid, CPM". Institute of Real Estate Management. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
↑ Amsden, Ted (April 16, 2010). "New owners plan upgrades at Greenwood Tower Motel". Northumberland Today.
↑ Lloyd, Karen (April 22, 2010). "Renewed life for Greenwood Towers". Northumberland News. Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
↑ Ed Conroy, BlogTO (July 18, 2014). "The rise and fall of MuchMusic, from crucial TV to bust".
↑ "Mihkel Harilaid Filmography". ReelzChannel.
↑ "Phil the Alien - Pro Notes". Lions Gate Entertainment.
↑ "Find a Member". Real Estate Institute of Canada.
↑ "Mike Harilaid". Durham Region. September 17, 2008. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
↑ "Durham: all blue". Durham Region. May 3, 2011. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
↑ Szekely, Reka (April 26, 2011). "Final feisty debate for Ajax-Pickering election candidates". Durham Region. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.