Arts & Sciences Signs Director Joel Kefali
Arts & Sciences has added filmmaker Joel Kefali to its exceptional roster of talent. Joel’s expertise as a director stems from a vast background in design, animation, visual art, and post-production. His lo-fi roots from his early career continue to greatly influence his artistic voice, leading him to create perennially unforgettable films.
Frequently utilising an ethereal visual palette and modern cultural references, Joel’s films are as resonant as they are timeless. His ability to direct actors in emotionally nuanced performances grounds his work, especially while taking calculated creative risks that pay off, like reimagining traditional narrative structures. This directorial sensibility is aptly showcased in Joel’s commercial films for international brands like Apple, Sky and Steinlager, as well as the Australian organisation Rest Super and New Zealand’s health agency, Te Whatu Ora. Most recently, Joel’s film for Te Whatu Ora won a Gold Axis Award for directing, cinematography, and music as well as a Silver Axis for editing.
His films have been recognised and awarded by many industry institutions, including several 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 Joel’s work with Tiger Beer and Air-Ink, which follows the true story behind an innovative way to alchemize air pollution into ink. “Baba,” Joel’s short documentary film, tells the tale of his grandfather’s experience in New Zealand as a Turkish Refugee through fantastical animation and voiceover.
His work in music videos dates back to his DIY filmmaking origins but has since grown in scale. Joel 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.
Joel 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,” added Mal Ward, managing director & partner of Arts & Sciences. He continued, “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”.”
