ABOUT
David is a queer director specialising in work that is often radical, subversive, cinematic and ALWAYS playful!. Being against the grain is inherently in David’s DNA. This fact is probably best illustrated in one of his most renowned pieces, the critically acclaimed short film, Deep Clean, a dance piece depicting a man self-pleasuring himself via anal stimulation! . Even in his most drama-orientated work like music videos for Tame Impala ‘Let It Happen’, or Arcade Fire ‘We Exist’, his signature is to bring play into existence.
This is integral to the brand he has cultivated in over 15 years of working in advertising and music video. Over the years, his work has won him multiple acclaim: from being named ‘Best Director’ at the UK Music Video Awards, to a Grammy Nomination, to winning Cannes Gold and a Eurobest Gold.
He’s brought his radical self to brands like Nike, Apple, Facebook, Ikea, O2, Spotify and LEGO. As well as working with musicians such as Arctic Monkeys, Arcade Fire, Tame Impala, Lady Gaga, David Guetta, Christine and the Queens, Glass Animals, Metronomy, and Hercules and Love Affair.
There’s a filmic sensibility in his craft, with ‘Cinematic’ always being a key word in his treatments.Expect the unexpected.. and expect PLAY TIME :-)
CONTACT
UK Commercials and Music Video
Please contact Matthew Fone or Natalie Arnett or Tom Berendsen at Riff Raff
US Commercials and Music Video
Please contact Matthew Fone or Natalie Arnett or Tom Berendsen at Riff Raff
French Commercials and Music Video
Please contact Jerome Denis at La Pac
Anything else
AWARDS
BEST ART DIRECTOR - Berlin Music Video Awards 2024 - MASSTOR - Self Control
SILVER - Cresta 2021 - Outstanding Animation in Film Craft - Spotify - Thank You Listeners
BRONZE - Creative Circle 2021 - Best Animation in Film Craft - Spotify - Thank You Listeners
BRONZE - Kinsale Shark 2021 - Best Direction for Animation - Spotify - Thank You Listeners
BRONZE Creative Circle 2021 - Best Animation - Spotify - Thank You Listeners
MTV Video Music Awards 2021 NOMINATION - Best Visual Effects - Glass Animals - Tangerine
GOLD - Cannes Lions 2019 - Digital Craft - Motion Graphics Design & Animation - Nike - Never Ask
BRONZE - EUROBEST 2018 - Outdoor - Nike - Never Ask
SILVER - EUROBEST 2018 - Design - Nike - Never Ask
SILVER - British Arrows - International Film Advertising - Nike - Made Of
GOLD - EUROBEST 2017 - Nike - Made Of
SILVER - LIA 2017 - Nike - Made Of
D&AD IMPACT 2017 Wood Pencil - Diversity & Equality - Nike - Made Of
GOLD in Film Advertising - Cannes Lions 2017 - Nike - Made Of
D&AD 2017 Wood Pencil - Film Advertising - B.E.N. the Robot
D&AD 2017 Wood Pencil - Music for Film Advertising - Nike - Made Of
Best Director - UK Music Video Awards 2015
Best Rock/Indie International - UK Music Video Awards 2015 - Tame Impala - Let It Happen
Best Rock/Indie UK - UK Music Video Awards 2015 - Royal Blood - Out of the Black
Best Animation in a Video - UK Music Video Awards 2015 - Royal Blood - Out of the Black
Best Editing - UK Music Video Awards 2015 - Royal Blood - Out of the Black
Music Video of the Year - IMVDb - Royal Blood - Out of the Black
Best Music Video - New Chitose Airport Festival 2015 - Royal Blood - Out of the Black
Best Music Video - Kinsale Sharks 2015 - Royal Blood - Out of the Black
Best Rock Video - MUCH Music Video Awards 2015 - Arcade Fire - We Exist
D&AD 2015 Yellow Pencil - Direction in Music Video - Arcade Fire - We Exist
D&AD 2015 Wooden Pencil - Animation in Music Video - Royal Blood - Out of the Black
Grammy Awards 2015 NOMINATION - Best Music Video - Arcade Fire - We Exist
VEVO Hot This Year - Best Indie - Arcade Fire - We Exist
International Music Video Festival 2014 - Prix de l’Intermede - Arcade Fire - We Exist
YCN Professional Awards 2014 - Animation
MTV Video Music Awards 2014 NOMINATION - Best Rock - Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know?
YCN Professional Awards 2013 - Animation
Fubiz Award 2013 - Best Advertising Guinness - Monument
Silver Award: Best UK TV Series - British Arrows Awards 2013 IKEA - Bright Shiny Colours
Silver Award: Best New Director - Creative Circle Awards 2013
Best Music Video - Bornshorts Film Festival 2012 Metronomy - The Bay
Inclusion in Creative Review Annual 2012 Metronomy - The Bay
'In-Book' D&AD Book 2012 Metronomy - The Bay
Best Editing in a Video - Antville Awards 2011 Metronomy - The Bay
Inclusion in Creative Review Annual 2011 The Japanese Popstars - Let Go
'In-Book' D&AD Book 2011 The Japanese Popstars - Let Go
Best Animated Video - Antville Awards 2010 The Japanese Popstars - Let Go
Saatchi Saatchi Cannes Film Festival New Directors Showcase 2010 Moray McLaren - We Got Time
Inclusion in Creative Review Annual 2010 Moray McLaren - We Got Time
'In-Book' D&AD Book 2010 Moray McLaren - We Got Time
Best Budget Video Rock, Indie, Alternative - UK Music Video Awards 2009 Moray McLaren - We Got Time
Best New Director - UK Music Video Awards 2009