Production company Supply&Demand–with bases of operation in Venice, Calif., and Manhattan–has added director Ben Briand to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. His commercial work has won a Cannes Silver Lion, B&T Award, and multiple Clio awards, among other honors.
Vogue China and Woolmark commissioned Briand to write and direct the romantic thriller Amour to launch their Vogue Film publication. His branded content film The Journey chronicles the life and career of Brazilian ballet dancer Ingrid Silva. The Activia-sponsored short film won a Cannes Lion.
Briand directed “First Dance” for Apple, marking the brand’s first commercial shot in Australia and celebrating the country’s legalization of same-sex marriage equality. He most recently completed the first national brand campaign for Strength to Give, part of The Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, which aims to encourage the next generation of stem cell donors in Australia. His commercial work also includes spots for Audi, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Nespresso, Schweppes, Valspar, and celebrity collaborations with Gal Gadot and Rose Byrne.
Briand wrote and directed the TV film Hammer Bay and is currently developing a project with Jon Chu (Wicked, Crazy Rich Asians) producing. Briand is slated to direct the Chu-produced project. Briand’s acclaimed narrative short films include the viral Apricot and Blood Pulls a Gun, which premiered at SXSW Film Festival. Briand recently finished shooting his next campaign for Audi.
Prior to joining Supply&Demand, Briand had most recently been repped in the U.S. market by Stink. He is currently handled by Collider for representation in Australia and New Zealand, and Dillinger for representation in France.
Briand remarked, “When Tim [Case, founder/EP of Supply&Demand] first reached out to me, he’d done his homework. It was very impressive. And it wasn’t all sugar-coated, which I really respected. His take on the material and his vision for where it could go captured my imagination. I am thrilled to partner with the whole S&D team.”
Case said of Briand: “I saw the work, I fell in love with it, I fought for it, and we won. I am mesmerized by Ben’s work. And I love Ben. Matt [Zion-Basile, S&D EP of new business] Charleen [Manca, EP/managing director], and I have huge expectations for him in the American market.”
