FAMILIA Strengthens Global Offering with New Director Signings

Growing its roster on a global scale, next generation production company FAMILIA today announces a host of new director signings. The news comes off the back of huge successes in the past year, which saw the production company boast a 98% pitch win rate and launch huge campaigns for the likes of Booking.com, Sky, and Hyundai.

Toby Walsham, partner and managing director at FAMILIA, comments: “After an incredible past year, we’re excited to see what 2023 will bring. We hit the jackpot with these seven phenomenal global talents! Each director is a powerhouse of creativity, bringing a unique set of skills and perspectives that will enhance our already exceptional roster of directors and photographers. Their addition to our already amazing roster is exciting, and I have no doubt that 2023 will be full of amazing projects.”

Tokyo-based director YUANN’s experiential storytelling and visual language have established him as one of the most unique contemporary voices. His dynamic, fashion-forward, and immersive work for the likes of Burberry, Nike, and Versace transcends boundaries to be celebrated by a global audience.

YUANN comments: “I’m looking forward to building a creative presence in the UK and US – as well as the rest of the world – with FAMILIA’s support. I seek to collaborate with creatives and partners with the same drive to push the boundaries of the imagination, as well as with post production houses on intricate pacing, advanced sound design, and excellent VFX.”

For UK creative Will, aesthetics are front and centre. What appeals to him most, however, are films that hit the mark in all areas on every level, from the underlying concept to the minutiae of art direction, casting, and music. Across live action, CGI, and animation, Will has written and conceived a number of successes – including Booking.com’s International Cricket Council spot last year, produced by FAMILIA.

Will Innes Smith comments: “The opportunity to collaborate with Toby and the team at FAMILIA last year on our Booking.com spot was pivotal in my decision to join the company’s talented roster. It will allow me to think bigger and better, to take the next step in my career and make films that eclipse anything I’ve had the fortune to create so far.’’

Diane takes inspiration from her roots – combining the foundation of her loud Italian American upbringing and queer identity – to tell complex and thoughtful stories. Crafting content for brands from Nike to Glossier, her biggest goal is to draw out the raw emotion from her subjects and translate it into stunning, visceral imagery with a focus on physicality.

Diane Russo comments: “It was clear from the outset that FAMILIA and I share similar sensibilities around storytelling and style. I’m always searching for fresh ways to explore ideas visually and FAMILIA’s commitment to pushing creative boundaries means we make an excellent fit.”

Based in South Africa, Zwelethu’s work comes innately from the soul, finding the human truth in every project. He pays particular attention to the performances and visual style that amplify both story and character, and is thus drawn to storytelling pieces with a cinematic aesthetic. He has worked for brands such as Cadbury’s and Heineken, achieving a Gold Loerie Cannes Lions shortlist, and a One Short Merit Award.

Zwelethu Radebe comments: “I’m looking forward to expanding my abilities as a filmmaker and adding a different perspective to the FAMILIA showreel. As an African filmmaker branching out into a new territory, I am keen to develop my visual style working with some of the biggest brands in the UK and Europe.”

Hailing from a multilingual and multicultural background, Hans’ work spans Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and Asia. Inspired by movement, his career began in dance films before leading to car and sports projects for clients including BMW and SEAT. He combines the dynamism of his subjects with fluid transitions and post production to take his projects to the next level – earning him several Gold Clios.

Hans Emanuel comments: “Just as I like to keep evolving as a director and exploring new genres, I also enjoy growing my personal style and having a cinematic approach to everything I take on. I’m particularly keen to develop the storytelling and humour in my work.”

Based in LA, Jimmy’s work is characterised by its bold use of colour, hints of surrealism, and subtle comedy. He deftly balances design elements with naturalism for an authentic yet stylised feel in commercials for the likes of Coca-Cola, Marc Jacobs, Nike, Tinder, and Apple.

Jimmy Marble comments: “I’m incredibly excited to be working on a more international stage and introducing my aesthetic to a much larger audience. FAMILIA is such a marker of high quality – I can’t wait to be working closely with their team to unlock new potential and create work that resonates with the world at large.”

Composed of New York filmmakers Alex Topaller and Dan Shapiro, Aggressive dives into creative in a fresh way with whatever tool is appropriate – be it live-action, animation, CGI, or experiential/LED tech – staying involved to the end to bring out its energy and essence. They’ve worked for some of the biggest brand names, including Amazon, Honda, and Michael Jackson, earning accolades such as Vimeo Staff Picks and a Grammy.

Aggressive comments: “We love the UK, the creative, the voice, the craft and the concepts that are born there – and are thrilled to dive into this new chapter together with FAMILIA. We cannot wait for the adventure of finding, collaborating, and discovering what’s possible with our new friends and family here.”