JustGiving's 'Just Got Real' Campaign Spotlights Everyday Heroes In Visually Striking Film

In a compelling new JustGiving campaign titled 'Just Got Real', The Visionaries director Mak Akay collaborated with Scenester Films and GOOD Agency to bring to life the inspiring stories of three remarkable fundraisers: Javeno Mclean, Freya Morgan, and Matthew Ashton-Rickardt. This film delves into their personal fundraising journeys, highlighting the real-world impact of community-driven fundraising.

Produced by Scenester Films, the spot masterfully blends dynamic storytelling with authentic narratives, capturing the essence of resilience and dedication. The creative vision was brought to life with the expertise of DoP Ethan Lodge and Producer Sorcha Bacon. The post-production phase was handled by OkayStudio, with André Rodrigues as offline editor and colour by Alex O’Brien.

This campaign not only celebrates the individuals making a difference but also underscores JustGiving's commitment to empowering everyday heroes.

Speaking about the project, Director, Mak Mahmut Akay said - “I had an absolute blast collaborating with Scenester Films on this project. Having previously fundraised for charity, I instantly resonated with the ‘it just got real’ motif after reading the creative. With authenticity being crucial for the client, one of my favourite aspects of this project was hearing the unique and inspiring stories of our talent.”

Stills were taken by The Visionaries Director/Photographer Henry Dean.

CREDITS:

Client: JustGiving

Agency: GOOD Agency

Director: Mak Mahmut Akay

Director’s rep: The Visionaries

EP: Tim Marshall

Production Company: Scenester Films

DoP: Ethan Lodge

Producer: Sorcha Bacon

The Good Agency

Agency Producer: Christian Gane

Creative Director: Jo Ratcliffe (Taylor)

Business Director: Daniel Webb

Copywriter: Kia Wing

Senior Account Executive: Daisy Leeson

Steadicam Operator: Justin Theodore

1st AC: Jonny Lewis

2nd AC: Christian Necula

Gaffer: Harrison Newman

Spark: Felix Sherno

Spark: Charlie Lane

Stills Photographer: Henry Dean

Digital Op: Matthew Lloyd

1st AD: Dan Gibling

Runner: Rene Rehab

Runner: Sergio Fiddes

Location Marshal: Luke Boxall

Art Director: Sasha Hilton

Art Assistant: Roisin Jenner

Stylist: Nicole Daly

HMUA: Billie McKenzie

OkayStudio

Offline: André Rodrigues

Colour: Alex O'Brien

VFX: OkayStudio

Online: Jemma Fox-Smith

Post Producer: Alex Blowers

Sound Engineer: Will Frances @ Grand Central.

Storyboard Artist: necmi yalcin

JustGiving

Head of Brand: Alexander Ioannou

Consumer Marketing Manage: Lucy Hill

Marketing Director: Stacey Buckingham

Senior Marketing Manager: Sophie Greig

Claire Norowzian teams up with AMV BBDO in a campaign for SHEBA, Searching for Descendants of Egyptian Nobility

Claire Norowzian Summons Ancient Goddess Magic and Cat Whispering skills to Sheba’s latest campaign, featuring divine felines Moscow and Smirnoff.

Claire Norowzian summons ancient feline magic and a touch of cat whispering to Sheba’s latest campaign, featuring divine felines Moscow and Smirnoff.

Representing a bold fusion of cultural insight, scientific intrigue, and visually rich storytelling, this latest campaign for the SHEBA redefines the creative bar in the cat food category. Inspired by a compelling genetic study suggesting that descendants of Pharaohs’ cats may still exist in the U.S. today, Claire brings this mythic idea to life through her latest spot.

Claire had this to say about it:

“This one was a dream. Working with the brilliant minds at AMV BBDO, we crafted a surreal ad tracing the worship of cats from ancient Egypt to now — proving nothing’s really changed. Part of a crazy, wider campaign exploring feline DNA and ancient roots, it was all mystical vibes, modern styling… and a cat that hit its marks better than most actors (sorry, actors!).”

CREDITS:

Client: MARS

VP Marketing: Fernando Silva

Brand Manager: Lindsay Smith

Brand Manager: Brinsta Renganathan

Agency: AMV BBDO

Creative Partner: Andre Sallowicz

Senior Creative: Nellie Santee

Senior Creative: Sergio Takahata

Senior Account Director: Nicholas Biggs

Account Director: Ruby Seeto

Account Manager: Niamh McCafferty

Senior Producer: Alex Warren

Assistant Producer: Anwar Meah

Production Company: RED STUDIOS

Director: Claire Norowzian

Head of Production: Nick Ferguson

Producer: John Barratt

DOP: Miguel Carmenes 

Edit House: Stitch Editing 

Editor: Phil Noir 

Post House: Creative Outpost

Post Producer: Ian Harland

Colourist: Mark Horrobin

Flame: Crispy

VO: Hayley Mcgee

Music Composer: Canja Audio

Anthony Rubinstein and Covert take Viewers Just Beyond Your Door in New Cinematic Campaign for Go Rving

Director Anthony Rubinstein of The Visionaries has partnered with creative studio Covert to deliver a poignant and visually arresting campaign for Go RVing, titled Just Beyond Your Door. Seamlessly blending Rubinstein’s passion for visual effects with Covert’s cutting-edge virtual production techniques, the spot is a celebration of adventure, connection, and the emotional depth of life on the road.

The film centres around a beautifully simple metaphor: the RV door. Rather than serving as a mere entrance, it becomes a cinematic portal, transporting viewers into a series of evocative vignettes that span epic landscapes, spontaneous family moments, and intimate glimpses into the journey itself. Each door opening becomes an invitation to experience the richness of RV travel- not just the destinations, but the moments in between.

Just Beyond Your Door is anchored by a strong visual narrative, executed through a combination of live-action storytelling and finely integrated VFX. The result is a dreamlike tone that still feels grounded, elevating the concept of RVing beyond the practical and into the poetic. It positions RV travel not just as a mode of transportation, but as a lifestyle steeped in discovery, emotional resonance, and freedom. 

“This project was a perfect example of what happens when creative ambition meets technical innovation,” adds Nick Litwinko, EP at Covert New York. “We worked closely with Anthony to build dynamic environments that could shift in real time, allowing for a level of spontaneity and precision that traditional production simply couldn’t offer. It was all about enabling the emotional story to lead the technology and not the other way around.”

The collaboration showcases Rubinstein’s storytelling sensibility at its most mature and visually refined. Fresh off a Gold win at the 1.4 Awards in the On the Cusp category for his short film Cry Like a Guy, Rubinstein continues to establish himself as a director capable of merging deeply human narratives with technical sophistication. That award-winning sensibility is clearly at play here, where the emotional scope is matched only by the craft on screen.

Go RVing, Just Beyond Your Door is more than a brand film, it’s an invitation to imagine what's possible when you turn the handle and step outside.

CREDITS:

Director: Anthony Rubinstein

Director’s Rep: The Visionaries

Brand: Go Rving

Agency: BVK

Creative: Kevin Kiehn

Creative: Nick Marrazza

Creative: Zack Schulze

Agency Producer: Martha Switalski

Agency Producer: Maureen Connolly

Production Company: Covert

Production Service: Gemini Films

Executive Producer: Garrett Fennelly

Head of Production: David Kornfield

Producer: Robin Spears

Director of Photography: Jordan Buck

Post Producton / VFX: Covert

Creative Director: Dan Andrew 

VFX Lead: Adrien Monroy

VFX Artist: Phillip

CG Lead: Morteza

CG Artist: Kirill

Producer: Margaux Baruch

Executive Producer: Nick Litwinko

Henry Dean brings us his dynamic dc for Lucozade - ‘Flex, Don’t Slump’

Henry Dean directs Lucozade’s latest spot, featuring Anthony Joshua and an office light show - what’s not to love?

Anthony encourages us to ‘get in the zone’ no matter what challenges the day ahead may bring, with the new Lucozade Alert range. The range offers consumers a high caffeine drink with vitamin B3 to help reduce tiredness. This spot is part of the wider collaboration with Lucozade athlete and long-term brand ambassador, Anthony Joshua, who has recently announced Lucozade Alert Mango Peachade Zero Sugar - Anthony Joshua edition.

Henry had this to say:
Given the nature of this shoot with Anthony Joshua, only having a small window of time to work with big name talent, I knew we had to make the most of the time we did have, while being able to execute in a nimble manner while he was on set. We used the ample prep time to build an elaborate visual world that Anthony Joshua could step into with ease.

On this job, choosing the right location was key. We built two distinct but mirrored sets across two floors in an empty office building. The concept of the spot is all about drawing parallels between two worlds, and I wanted to make sure we had the space and control to do that within our visuals. Given the time constraints on our shoot, having room to build both sets at once was the only way to go.

What we ended up making on this spot felt like a real synchronised dance between all the departments. Art, lighting, and camera teams all working in tandem to create a unified and dynamic set. Our lighting became part of our production design, our art direction informed our lighting. It was a genuinely collaborative team effort from the outset. Henry Gill (DoP), Sachin Parmar (Gaffer) and Kate Stamp (Production Designer) were instrumental in bringing the striking aesthetic of this spot to life.

CREDITS:

Director: Henry Dean

Producer: Luke Mortimer

PM: Alice Pitt-Carter

PA: Janice P.

Editor: Laurence Halstead

Colourist: Megan Lee @ Electric Theatre Collective

Music & Sound Design: Leon Radschinski-Gorman

1st AD: Joe Mulvihill

2nd AD: Hollie Burton

Location Manager: Victoria Dragten

Runner: Emily Clayton

Runner: Harvey Weston

Runner: Jared Hall

Director’s Shadow: Asmae El Ouariachi

DoP: Henry Gill

1st AC: Harry Coleman

2nd AC: Scarlett Gardner

Trainee: Max Bent-Marshall

Steadicam: Ben Eeley

Gaffer: Sachin Parmar

Spark: Duane Abraham

Spark: Tomas Canelas

Spark: Kong Wako

Spark: Dylan Schultz-Soo

Desk Op: Tomasso Gobbi

Sound Recordist: Quillon Larrat

Production Designer: Kate Stamp

Art Assistant: Anthony Mensah

Art Assistant: Steph Parker

Art Assistant: Florence Sweeney

Art Assistant: Cynthia Chika Franklin

Wardrobe Stylist: Amy Thompson

Wardrobe Assistant: Tess Gibson

HMUA: Emma Regan

HMU Assistant: Lee Patrick Devlin

Lead Cast: Aroob Sajjad

Supporting Cast: Miles Anthony

Supporting Cast: Oliver Mattis

Supporting Cast: Rae Clarke

Supporting Cast: Amber-Rose Walter

Supporting Cast: Meriem Yahia-Cherif

Agency: We Are Social

Bacana Play & Martians Kick Up Some Dust With a Wild West Showdown

The directing duo Martians, bring us the latest commercial for Bacana Play, an online casino brand, created by D*VAGAR.

The film kicks off with Ljubomir, a Michelin-starred chef from Portugal, putting the finishing touches on a dish. With his job done, he picks up his phone, only to be interrupted by a mysterious “HEY!”. A cowboy, who looks like he just galloped straight out of Bacana Play’s slot machines, locks eyes with him and, with a mischievous grin, challenges him to play. And that’s when the Wild West chaos begins. A full-blown saloon brawl erupts—an epic-scale riot packed with serious players, cheaters, and absolute mayhem. But in the middle of the pandemonium, Ljubomir keeps his cool like a true gunslinger of the game. The ad wraps up back in his restaurant, where everything seems perfectly normal. Or is it? Was it all real, or does this Wild West spirit live only in the Bacana Play app?

Martians (Directors) say:
“You Earthlings are crazy. You have no idea what image popped into our heads when we first heard the word ‘cowboy.’ Why not Horseboy?”

“As for the shoot, there’s not much to say. We hung people upside down and shook them, dragged someone into stacks of casino chips, had another fall backwards from the second floor onto a table… Oh, and we also threw a razor-sharp dart at our celebrity. All pretty normal. The only ones who didn’t seem to enjoy it were some folks from the insurance company. But when they tried talking to us, we just replied: Blorp znik terráqueo nox. (Translation: We don’t speak Earthling).”

CREDITS:

Director: Martians

Director’s Agent: The Visionaries

Executive Producer João Rito Production WE ARE ACTION
Production Service Grandma
Director of Photography Miguel Carmenes

Post-Production Push VFX 

Creative Director Pedro Motta 

Storyboard Jorge Barros 

Editing Martians 

Online Tiago Garcia 

Grading ETC 

Colourist Andi Chu 

SFX Joe Marsden

Client Bacana Play 

Country Manager Pedro Garcia 

Creative Agency D*VAGAR

The Visionaries’ director TARAN Unveils Bold New Campaign for Cult Streetwear Label KidSuper

TARAN shares his latest directorial work for New York-based streetwear label KidSuper. Known for collaborations with Louis Vuitton, Ronaldinho, and the NBA, KidSuper continues to redefine modern streetwear culture, this recent campaign being no exception.

Working in collaboration with creative directors TJ Sawyer and Elliot Hensford, TARAN drew inspiration from the surreal, cinematic world of photographer Eugenio Recuenco, with the film capturing a tone that is both regal and abstract—reflecting the eclectic and boundary-pushing spirit of KidSuper’s brand identity.

TARAN had this to say about the shoot:

“This project is truly one of my favorites to date. The energy on set was electric. It never felt like work—it felt like we were creating something magical amongst friends.”

CREDITS:

Director: TARAN

Directors Agent: The Visionaries

Creative Directors: TJ Sawyer, Elliot Hensford

Production Company: ODYSSEY

Art Director: King Owusu

Director of Photography: Harry Basey

Stylist: Shereen Clairessa

Twice Pictures teams up with The Visionaries director Mak Akay to bring us Nationwide’s latest spot, featuring Trevor McDonald, to Say Thank You to Loyal Members.

Twice Pictures, under the Lemonade Reps umbrella, teamed up with The Visionaries director Mak Akay to bring us Nationwide’s latest campaign, featuring broadcasting legend Sir Trevor McDonald. The new spot showcases Sir Trevor delivering the exciting news that one in five Brits will share over £600 million in a special 'thank you' from the UK’s largest building society. 

This unprecedented ‘Thank You’ payment—three times larger than the biggest National Lottery win in history (£195 million)—celebrates Nationwide members for their role in helping build the financial strength necessary to acquire Virgin Money. This acquisition enables Nationwide to further expand the benefits of mutuality across the UK. Starting Monday, 7th April, more than 12 million eligible members across the country will receive £50 in their bank accounts as a token of appreciation.

Mak had this to say about the project:

‘Had an absolute blast directing this Nationwide spot with production company Twice Pictures and agency The Romans. The maxim to 'never meet your heroes' certainly doesn't apply here, because Sir Trevor was an absolute delight to work with. A true gentleman, and someone who can easily turn any conversation into an erudite discussion with his wisdom.

Loved the creative from The Romans and was really drawn to the diverse ways of saying thank you as the film's motif. It became a fun crash-course on UK accents and dialects for me, I had no idea there were so many unique regional ways of saying it.

All the people we filmed are actual Nationwide workers, no actors. I felt that brought a sense of genuine authenticity to the project.

Met lots of lovely people on this project. It was a great team effort to bring this to life - cheers m'dears!’

CREDITS:

Client: Nationwide

Agency: The Romans

Director: Mak Mahmut Akay @mahmutakay

Director’s agent: The Visionaries

DoP: Joe Douglas @joedouglasdop

Production Company: Twice Pictures @twice.pictures.twice

EP: Rhys Evans @rhysevans93

Producer: Miles Wilkes

The Romans @helloromans

Agency Director: Kim Shuard @kimshuardcubbon

Creative Director: Dan Roberts @the1dan

Senior Creative: Jack Moriarty @jackmoriarty96

Associate Director: Inder Gill @inderdeepgill

Account Manager: Hannah Jones

1st AD: Barry Oldham @coldhab

Steadicam Operator: Matt Allsop @mrallsop

Focus Puller: Jeff Vine @jeffvine

2nd AC: Luke Gurney @luke_gurneyy

Camera Trainee: Seth McNamara-Wadd

Camera Car Driver: Hank Vadim

Final Cut @finalcutedit

Editor: Matt Gabzdyl @matthewgabzdyl

Assistant Editor: Max Adams

Producer: Ella Marafini

OkayStudio @okaystudio

Colourist: Katie Dymmock @katiedymmock

VFX / Online Artist: Mark Purser @markpurser78

Post Producer: Neuma Llusiá dos Santos @neumallds

Gaffer: Ed Smith 

Electrician: Ricky Collins

Trainee Electrician: Ezra McNeish

Trainee Electrician: Bailey Lawless

Sound Recordist: Miguel Rodriquez

Art Director: Max Roach @appropriatemaxroach

HMU Designer: Mel Szabo

Music & Sound Mix: Andreas Pfannenstill @iamstillandy @meltmusic_

Sound Design: Tim Sutton

Location Manager: Simon Churchill

Nationwide

Director of brand, MKTG and Experience: Richard Warren

Senior MGR Brand, Social & Content: Daisy Payne

Integrated Campaigns Manager: Emily Cooper

Runner: Danny Berkeley

Runner: Grace Demetre

Chris Fowles delights us once again with his talent for subtle, emotive storytelling and detail-driven approach for Subaru’s latest commercial, ‘What Drives You’.

Chris Fowles’ latest work for Subaru beautifully captures the call of wild places—those vast, untamed landscapes that offer both solace and challenge. His film explores the powerful connection between nature and self – striking a perfect balance between stillness and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone – and illustrating how these spaces shape who we are and how we engage with the world around us.

The commercial highlights the flexibility and opportunity that the new Subaru Forester provides, taking you where you need to go with a focus on comfort and support.

Chris had this to say about the project: 

“Car spots are always great to work on, but it’s even more interesting when the car itself plays a small role in the story. 

From the start, the agency and client were set on making this a human film - one about bravery and overcoming anxieties. 

I suggested opening with a single unbroken take to really trap her in the moment and build up to the actual jump. That, I think, is what makes the film special. 

We shot in late January in Snowdonia, expecting the worst the English weather could throw at us, but it ended up being the most amazing sunny warm day. 

The lake itself was still about 4-5 degrees and I definitely wouldn’t have tried to go in myself… but we had to create the cold breath in post because it was just that warm.”

CREDITS:

Agency: Cogent

Art Director: David Finch

Copywriter: Mark Teece

Senior Account Manager: Beth Hinton

Production Company: Junction Eleven 

Producer: Lucy McDermott

Production Manager: Alex Hill

Location Manager: Joel Cockerill

Lifeguard/Water Rescue Team: Matt Jones

Director: Chris Fowles

Director’s Agent: The Visionaries

Director of Photography: Rhys Warren

Focus Puller: Raul Menendez

Loader: Dewi Roberts

Steadicam Operator: Gary Kent

Key Grip: Adrian Greenfield

Gaffer: James Duffy (Cinelight)

Spark: Orlando De Silva

DIT / BTS: Peter Hackett

Photographer: Daniel Du Cros

Photography Assistant: Steve Thomas

Editor: Peter Hackett

Post-Production: Black Kite

Colourist: Thomas Mangham

Sound: JJ Mitchell 

VFX: Afterworld Studio 

Camera: Panavision

The Visionaries’ director TARAN perfectly blends comfort with bold style in his latest work for Sloggi.

TARAN brings his fresh energy to Sloggi’s latest ZERO Feel campaign, capturing confidence through sleek visuals and electric performances. Harnessing his extensive experience directing music videos, he creates an upbeat and dynamic spot, sure to catch your eye and hold your attention.

The campaign introduces the Zero Feel range – featuring seamless bodywear, made from 360 stretch fabric with no wires or fastenings, for an ‘unfeelable feeling’ that seeks to revolutionise the bra category and bring real comfort to women across the globe.

TARAN had this to say about the shoot:

‘Working on Sloggi SS25 was one of those unicorn moments where I was fortunate enough to be given quite a lot of freedom from the client & CD Theresa to bring my own ideas to life. My only real parameter was working within a framework of this idea of moving from behind the scenes onto a large stage set, beyond that everyone was quite keen to hear my approach.

Production design was definitely a hero department that I was quite invested in. I think given the intimate and feminine nature of the product, I was keen on a set that avoided sharp angles and reflected the product itself. Working with production designer Paul Zabihi was nothing short of a pleasure, everything I threw at him was met with smart solutions and counter-ideas that got me thinking more deeply about textures and palette.

Equally, I knew we needed a DP that understood beauty and could offer something stylised whilst still feeling product focused. Enter Miguel Carmenes, I’d argue nobody does that better than him. My conversations with him were all about layering light & set dress for depth as well as finding the balance between a vibrant colour palette and keeping the film feeling mature. Given our spots were only 15s and 20s, we were also very aware of the need to condense camera movement to only what was absolutely essential, which I think translates quite well in the opening 5s of each ad.

Sloggi was a dream to work on and I had the chance to work with some new faces as well as some of my core team from my background in music.’

CREDITS:

Director: TARAN

Directors Agent: The Visionaries

Choreographer: Supple Nam

DOP: Miguel Carmenes

Production Designer: Paul Zabihi

Producer: Zara Balfour

Production Manager: Jo Fogarty

Assistant Producer: Sonia Amini

Client Service Director: Tanya Faulkner

Senior Account Manager: Barbara Puddu

Strategy Director: Hannah Hayes-Westall

Creative Lead: Theresa Schmitz

Design: Julie Lee 

Head of Production: Jack Bayley

Executive Producer: Lois Newcombe

Post Producer: Nicola Haffenden & Rachel Bliss

Print Producer: Danny Wallace

Photographer: Eddie Cheaba

BTS Video & Stills: Joe Austin

1st AD: Laura Carrion Del Pozo & Ali Copland

Stylist: Jordan Kelsey

MUA: Fernanda Paz & Yas Khan

Hair: Gaia Bezbradica & Luke Christou

Eco Consultant: Phil Briggs

Offline Editor: Josie Farrugia

Online Editor: Josie Farrugia

Colourist: Anna Barsukova

Audio Engineer: Tom Pugh

VFX: Thomas Castellani 

Photographer’s Team: Kay Thomas & Wilbert Lati

Retouch: John Martin & Rupert King

Social Media: STAN STUDIOS Stuttgart

‘Ladder’ - Jennifer Sheridan’s latest campaign for LinkedIn highlights career frustration for Gen Z workers with ‘Itchy Feet’

Director Jennifer Sheridan has once again brought her unique storytelling style to the forefront with her latest series of ads for LinkedIn. The campaign, consisting of three witty and thought-provoking spots, delves into the challenges faced by Gen Z workers in today’s fast-paced and competitive job market.

One standout ad in the series centers around a young employee who finds herself trapped at the bottom of a broken career ladder with no clear path to advancement. In a humorous yet relatable twist, one of her feet, now desperately seeking change, pops out from beneath her desk to voice her frustrations about the dead-end prospects she faces. Despite the moment of career-related distress, the ad’s underlying message is clear— LinkedIn is the solution for employees seeking job opportunities that offer more than just a pay-check, providing avenues for upskilling and career growth too.

This campaign’s innovative messaging, paired with Jennifer Sheridan’s instinct for comedic timing, is sure to garner positive attention for LinkedIn, positioning the platform not just as a job-search tool, but as a valuable resource for personal and professional development.

Jennifer Sheridan had this to say about the project:

”Embracing the character of the foot was such an enticing challenge. The audition process was a highlight, as we set off to discover the most talented 'acting feet' in the UK. Ultimately, I think we succeeded and they bring as much charisma to the films as our amazing actors. 

Working with the team at VCCP has been a joy, and I hope our collaboration resonates with everyone. Additionally, I believe LinkedIn is a fantastic resource for young professionals, and I hope we’ve highlighted how they can use it to shape the careers they want.”

CREDITS:

Creative Agency: VCCP

Production Company: Girl & Bear

CD: Matt Lloyd and Emma Houlston 

Creative: Henry Westcott and Robbie Field

Producer: Hannah Chitty

EP: Charlotte Borrell

Director Agent: The Visionaries

Edit House: Shift Post

Editor: Rachael Spann

Colourist: Ashley Barrett

Sound House: Suite TV

Sound Design: Simon Wrig

‘Dream Home’ - Simon Neal blends the adult world of mortgages with child-like innocence in his latest Barclays spot.

Simon Neal brings the essence of Barclays’ brand identity with his latest commercial, a follow-up to the beloved 'Kids World' spot that debuted last year. In this new 30-second ad, he expands on the original concept, taking us back into a whimsical world where seven-year-olds take on the roles of adults with charmingly surprising results.

This clever continuation of the 'Kids World' narrative captures both the innocence of childhood and the responsibility of adulthood with striking finesse. The small, nuanced moments, such as the children’s playful exchange and the seamless blending of innocence into the often-dreaded subject of finances, are testament to the depth of thought that went into this campaign. It’s a brilliant reminder that, even when dealing with serious topics like mortgages, there’s room for lighthearted moments—and that's what Barclays continues to deliver.

A statement on how simple, human connections can make even the most daunting aspects of life, like mortgages, feel just a bit lighter.

Simon Neal had this to say about it:

“I loved the original ‘kids world’ film so  I leapt at the chance to make the next instalment of this funny, charming campaign.  

The young actors were a dream to work with, utterly professional to the point of offering ad libs and notes on blocking. Stars of tomorrow!”

CREDITS:

Creative Agency: Bartle Bogle Hegarty

ECD: Felipe Guimaraes

Creative: Lucy Johnstone and Grace Chambers

Producer: Allen Grebovic and Tina Mwazange

Production Company: Black Sheep Studios

Director: Simon Neal

Producer: Ethan McDowell

EP: Sophie Fitzgerald

Producer: Faye Rizzo

Cinematographer: Christopher Sabogal

Director Agent: The Visionaries

Edit House: Marshall Street Editors

Editor: Joe Wilby

The Visionaries Presents: The Visionaries Short Film Festival, an Unforgettable Evening celebrating directors and creatives, accompanied by Djs and Jazz.

The Visionaries congregated at All Is Joy Studios to bring together an eclectic mix of directors and creatives for the latest instalment of their Visionaries Short Film Festival. 

The evening unfolded in the studio’s 120-seater cinema, for the screening of nine short films from some of the best and brightest directors on The Visionaries Roster. The screened films were CAKE by Alan Friel; Travelooper by Jennifer Sheridan; Seven by James Morgan; At First Sight by Pedro Allevato; The Ringmaster by Maya Albanese; Non-Playable Connection by Zeynep Oguz; Business Plan by Stefano & Alejandra; Take Me by Claire Norowzian; and ORIGINS by Phil Hawkins.

Guests enjoyed an open bar, provided by the wonderful sponsors of the event (Work Editorial, Covert, Naf+ and Felt Music), gathering in All is Joy’s resident Bozo’s Bar for ample networking opportunities and plenty of laughs. The Lemonade Lounge returned in full swing, with a performance from The Teapot Travellers, providing a relaxed and inspiring space for conversations to flow.

Corin West, MD at The Visionaries had to say about the evening:

"What a wonderful celebration of creativity and storytelling our short film festival was! It was truly inspiring to see such a diverse range of talent and passion on display. All who attended, thank you for making the festival such a success and joining our creative community".

Directors and sponsors had this to say:

“Networking events like last night are so important for our mental health and sense of community - feeling that there’s more outside our own little bubbles.” Mateo Willis

“Thank you SO MUCH for the fantastic event, we had such a great time and it’s all thanks to your efforts & energy” - Zeynep Oğuz

“The event was absolutely brilliant, we met so many people, there was a really good vibe, and all in all I loved the evening!” - Frankie Elster (Work Editorial)

‘No Taste Like Home’: Leo McCrea takes household names on a journey of self discovery through food.

Leo McCrea’s latest work for National Geographic, No Taste Like Home, is a feast for all the senses. 

Each episode sees Antoni Porowski curate bespoke journeys for celebrities as they travel the globe to explore their ancestral culinary heritage. We are taken on a visceral journey through culinary pasts and family dishes, passed down through the generations to reveal how much they can tell us about who we are.

The journeys are undertaken with the likes of Florence Pugh, Justin Theroux, Dan Matteuci and many more, it is not one to be missed!

Leo had this to say about it: 

“It was crucial for 'No Taste Like Home' to feel beautifully cinematic with a grand sense of scale, while also having close and intimate moments of emotion. Although the show dives deep into ancestry, we filmed it dynamically, with one foot firmly in the present.

To emphasize this sense of travel and movement in each episode, we shot our dialogue scenes on the shoulder, using a Steadicam-type gimbal rig, which allowed us to track the subjects as they walked. Capturing natural reactions is essential when revealing emotional moments of family history or tasting a new flavor or dish, so we ensured we captured these moments the first time around by shooting with three cameras.

As the lead director on this big-budget series, one of my primary roles was to create and capture grand cinematic moments. Whether it was traveling by boat, flying drones through viaducts while tracking trains, or sailing through Tower Bridge, we aimed for everything to feel epic. Thanks to the amazing teams we worked with, I believe we achieved this.”

CREDITS:

Directors: Leo McCrea, Jenny Dames & Graeme Hart 

Exec: Lisa Edwards 

Show runner: Robin Anne Osullivan 

Series Producer: Fiona Cleary

Production Exec: Jill Greenwood 

Line Producer: Emma Pinching 

Production Manager: Bex Morton

Senior Producers: Aisling Browne and Lucy Evans  

Producers: Cosima Malizia, Ola Mosaku and Phoebe Mills 

Assistant Producers: Ester Thorn Gent, Giulia Franlanci and Aileen Martinez Infante  

Assistant Director: Freya Jefferies & Barney 

Junior Production Manager: Sam Walter’s

DOP: Steve Lidgerwood 

Camera Operator: Charlie Granger & Jon Sayers 

Cam Asst & 3rd Camera: Nick Lawnton 

Sound: Ash Gadd and Manson Peregrine-Lewis 

UK Drone: One Weller and Hallum Films

'Fairer Healing': Chris Fowles Brings us an emotional new Film for Essity USA.

Chris Fowles harnesses his signature talent for emotive storytelling in his latest film for Essity USA. The film highlights the importance of wellbeing and fairer healing, using a cast of almost entirely real patients, from amputees to cancer survivors.

Essity are global leaders in hygiene and health solutions, committed to creating cutting edge solutions, improving health, and setting new standards for hygiene and wellbeing.

Chris had this to say about the shoot: 

"This was a really special project to work on. We had a cast made up mostly of real patients, and it was inspiring to hear their stories firsthand. Some had never acted before, and watching them step in front of the camera for the first time was a joy—it brought such raw authenticity to the film.

The schedule was intense, covering several stories in just two days, but the energy on set kept us going. My goal was to make something gripping and real, and the agency really encouraged us to be bold visually, to lean into the details that aren’t often seen in advertising.

I’m proud of what we created—a film that feels honest and deeply human."

CREDITS:

Production Company: Prodigious

Executive Producer: Richard Grisman

Producer: Stephen Riera

Director: Chris Fowles

Agency: Publicis London

Chief Creative Officer: Noel Bunting

Creative Director: Valentina Amenta

Senior Creative: James White

Senior Creative: Henry Finnegan

Editor: Jason Fok

DoP: Henry Gill

Agent: Wizzo

Colour: Cheat

Colourist: Jonny Tully

Music: MassiveMusic

Audio: thesoundworksmedia 

Sound Designer: Ross Gidney

'Original Punk Cereal': directing duo Martians Bring us a film to shake up the world of cereal.

Martians bring their natural talent for directing comedy and performance in this campaign against the ‘status quo’ of cereal. Set in an extravagantly Punk factory, with equally eccentric characters, their film successfully positions Jordans as the rebels of the cereal world.

The campaign includes ice guns freeze-drying strawberries, a fire breather popping oats and so much more - all contributing to the finished pack of Country Crisp. 

Martians had this to say about the shoot: 

"We've always been fascinated by how much Earthlings enjoy breakfast. But after seeing how much energy the Jordan's factory workers put into their cereal-making process, we finally got it. Each grain is instilled with so much energy that it must power humans throughout their day."" 

When we were first briefed, we actually had no idea what punks were. Here's the thing, we're quite new to Earth, and the punk era was long before our time. So we did what any responsible Martian would do: went back to our spaceship and googled "what is punk?"

Here's where it got interesting. All we found were thousands of black and white photos of humans in colourless clothes hanging around not very colourful industrial spaces. As logical aliens, we concluded: At the time only black and white pictures existed. So we thought, "what if we just added some colour to this whole punk thing?" And that's how our vibrant punk style was born."

We grew so attached to MooDonna, our punk cow, that we decided to adopt her. She now travels in our spaceship wherever we go."