International production company Great Guns has added director Meena Ayittey to its roster for global representation.
Born in London to Ghanaian immigrants, Ayittey has a passion for creativity and filmmaking that was evident from an early age. Alongside a love of drawing and painting, Ayittey spent her youth making short films in iMovie. Inspired by the likes of Spike Jonze, Jonathan Glazer, and Chris Cunningham, she would take any opportunity to immerse herself in the world of cinema.
After graduating with a degree in Fine Art from art and design college Central Saint Martins, Ayittey made a name for herself in the industry as a 3D VFX artist and motion graphic designer. After working for leading agencies and brands–including Grey, Droga5, Saatchi & Saatchi, Nike, and Amazon–she then made the move into directing.
Known for crafting stories that offer alternative perspectives on life, Ayittey’s work often gives a voice to those who are typically unheard, exploring subjects that include race, mental health, and the portrayal of Black women on screen. Her two short films–Flint (2015) and Home (2017)–have won a total of 14 awards and been screened across the U.K. and Europe. She has also judged for Cannes Euro Best 2019 and the D&AD Awards 2020.
Most recently, Ayittey launched a harrowing short film entitled Mama. Created during lockdown, the short is a response to the Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S. and beyond, featuring a powerful monologue from U.S. State Senator Stephanie Flowers over shocking footage of police brutality. Alongside this, Ayittey has also debuted a trailer for Black Creative: Race in the Advertising Industry, her upcoming documentary film that features a collective of Black voices revealing their experiences of working in a predominantly white industry.
Ayittey commented, “I have always been a dreamer. Through filmmaking I have been able to express my views on subjects close to my heart including race, mental health, and the struggle for justice and equality. As an artform, film has the ability to make a difference in the world and this is where my passion lies. Working with the fantastic team at Great Guns will enable me to develop as an artist and I am beyond excited for what lies ahead!”
Oliver Fuselier, managing director and EP of Great Guns USA, added, “Meena has such a fresh voice that, through her films, conveys a deep understanding of how to tell a truthful and honest story of subjects that are important to her. She has a strong sense of who she is as a director and what she wants to say.”
