Saville Productions has signed Academy Award®-nominated documentary film director Hubert Davis for his first branded content representation in the U.S. Davis garnered both a Short Subject Documentary Oscar nomination in 2005 and a News & Documentary Emmy Award nod the following year for Hardwood which delved into the life of his father, former NBA player Mel Davis.
On the strength of Hardwood–which marked his directorial debut–Hubert Davis became the first Afro-Canadian to be nominated for an Oscar. Additionally, Davis’ documentary project Invisible City, which sheds light on social and racial issues surrounding teenagers in Toronto’s Regent Park district, went on to win the Best Canadian Feature Documentary at the 2009 Hot Docs Film Festival.
Outside of his documentary work, Davis has helmed spots for such brands as Coca Cola, Nike, Ford and Heineken. His “Once More” for Volkswagen Canada was a recipient of two Cannes Lions in 2014. He continues to be repped for branded fare in Canada by Toronto-based Untitled Films
Saville Productions’ executive producer and founder Rupert Maconick cited Davis’ “unique and diverse directorial style that can bring the most authentic and personal narratives to life.”
Davis said of his new Venice-based roost, “Saville’s roster and slate of work is very impressive and I appreciate the importance they put on the art of filmmaking. They have found a unique middle ground for documentaries and branded content that I can really relate to and contribute to, so it felt like a natural fit.”
Vancouver, BC-native Davis earned a B.A. in Film and Communications from McGill University in Montreal. Upon earning his degree, he launched his career as a commercial editor, where he was exposed to a wide range of narratives and aesthetics, honing his skills in crafting entertainment through the art of stitching visuals. Davis’ editing background continues to inform his directorial approach today, guiding his lens toward striking visuals. He also remains closely involved in the editorial process, collaborating closely with editors to carry the concept all the way through final delivery.
Davis, who’s based in Toronto, has built a strong directorial reputation for both long-form and short-form content in the Canadian filmmaking scene. His recent work includes Giants of Africa, a feature length documentary following the story of Toronto Raptors’ president and general manager Masai Ujiri’s youth basketball camps throughout Africa. The documentary premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. Davis is currently working on a scripted drama series and a branded project.
