Arts & Sciences has added filmmaker Joel Kefali to it talent roster for representation in the U.S. and U.K. spanning commercials, branded content and music videos. This marks his first signing with a production house for representation in the U.S. He had previously been repped in the U.K. by Rattling Stick. Kefali continues to be handled in the Australian market by Good Oil.
Kefali’s body of work spans international brands like Apple, Sky and Steinlager, as well as the Australian organization Rest Super and New Zealand’s health agency, Te Whatu Ora. Most recently Down Under, Kefali’s film for Te Whatu Ora won a Gold Axis Award for directing, cinematography, and music as well as a Silver Axis for editing.
Additional honors coming his way include several more Gold Axis awards for the anti-drunk driving campaign “Doors” from the New Zealand Transport Agency, additional Gold and Grand Axis Awards for his collaborations with Steinlager, and a Cannes Lion for work with Tiger Beer and Air-Ink, which follows the true story behind an innovative way to alchemize air pollution into ink. Baba, Kefali’s short documentary film, tells the tale of his grandfather’s experience in New Zealand as a Turkish refugee through fantastical animation and voiceover.
Kefali’s work in music videos dates back to his DIY filmmaking origins but has since grown in scale. Kefali has helmed music videos for global superstars like Katy Perry, Tame Impala, LCD Sound System, The Naked and Famous, tUnE-yArDs, and many collaborations with fellow New Zealander Lorde. A select list of music videos he directed for Lorde includes “Solar Power,” “Mood Ring,” “Tennis Court,” and “Royals,” which earned a Moon Man at the MTV VMAs for Best Alternative Video.
Kefali’s expertise as a director stems from a vast background in design, animation, visual art, and postproduction. His lo-fi roots from his early career continue to greatly influence his artistic voice. That directorial touch also includes an affinity for garnering emotionally nuanced acting performances.
Kefali said of joining the ranks at Arts & Sciences, “I’ve watched them grow as a company and have great success growing directors. Careful career development is really important, and I find the conscious effort they put into their curated collection of directors very inspiring. It’s so nice to work with good people, and I’m excited to be working with them.”
“Joel has made such a name in New Zealand and Australia. We’re looking forward to bringing his amazing talent to more of the world,” said Arts & Sciences managing director and partner Mal Ward who added, “Joel has a precise eye and vision for what he wants to communicate on the screen. And the fact that that vision comes across through multiple genres of filmmaking makes Joel truly stand out.”
