Born in Detroit, Michigan, Michael Kallio started making Super-8 movies at 6 years old after seeing Star Wars. In his early 20s, he made his first feature film, Hatred of a Minute, a psychological thriller starring himself and legendary Leatherface actor Gunnar Hansen and was produced by Bruce Campbell.

Kallio followed with a second feature, Mutant Swinger from Mars, a 1950s sci-fi spoof inspired by Ed Wood and the Jerry Lewis film The Nutty Professor. The movie featured the acting debut of Jack White, the White Stripes front man and guitarist. Kallio has had his hand in every aspect of the film industry, working not only as a writer, director, producer, actor and editor, but also a special FX artist, production designer and art director. Besides Dinner with Leatherface, Kallio is working on another documentary. That one, tentatively-titled, Cluckumentary, focuses on local Southern California band the Radioactive Chicken Heads. Recently Kallio directed back-to-back-to-back features: the found-footage/slasher film The Scout; another atmospheric horror film, Inner Demons; and An LA Christmas Story, a Holiday rom-com which he is wrapping up postproduction on. Sometimes, Kallio writes stuff too; he has an essay about Evil Dead II in Volume 3 of My Favorite Horror Film: Scream Warriors and also pens weird poetry. He is also currently working on a sci-fi/horror/comedy entitled Rednecks Vs. Aliens, among other film and television projects. He also just finished editing Bruce Campbell’s latest feature. Kallio hangs out with his wife, Jessica, and their fur baby/dog, Buddy.