Director and photographer Jason van Bruggen has joined Community Films for spots and branded content in the U.S. This marks his first representation in the American ad market. He continues to be handled in Canada by production house Suneeva.
Earlier in his tenure at Suneeva, van Bruggen earned a slot in SHOOT’s 2016 New Directors Showcase.
Van Bruggen is known for his visually arresting landscapes and the ability to elicit emotion from his subjects. Full of natural beauty, found light and an appreciation of the natural world, his work includes commercial narratives and environmental and social campaigns in collaboration with actors and artists around the world, including Jane Fonda, Rachel McAdams, Feist, professional athletes from every major league sport and many other influencers.
The director’s work has been profiled in such publications as National Geographic, Outside Magazine, PDN and Communication Arts, and by brands including Patagonia, Arc’teryx and BestMade Co. Earlier this month, van Bruggen’s PSA for the Government of British Columbia showed the human impact of wildfires and gained inclusion into SHOOT’s The Best Work You May Never See gallery. It was produced by Suneeva for Vancouver, B.C.-based ad agency Camp Pacific.
“Jason’s work is complex and intimate all in one viewing. We can’t wait for his work to be seen and appreciated by a wider audience,” said Lizzie Schwartz, partner and executive producer, Community Films.
Van Bruggen’s immersive storytelling expresses his interest in humanity and an ambition to share authentic and truthful stories. His most recent short film about an Inuit hunter, Derrick Pottle, Keeper of the Flame was filmed in the remote wilderness of Labrador, Nunavut and Greenland. It will premiere at the Banff Mountain Film Festival and air at festivals throughout North America in fall of 2018. His fine art photographic practice has turned out the featured exhibit at Contact Photography Festival 2017, and upcoming solo exhibits in Europe (2019) and the U.S. (2020).
