A Creative Homecoming: Ben Briand’s Return to France with Loveboat

For Australian director Ben Briand, storytelling is a journey, one that has taken him across continents, between commercial and narrative filmmaking. And now, in 2025, he returns to a market where his creative instincts feel most at home. 

With his signing to Loveboat, Ben marks a return to France, a filmmaking culture he describes as uniquely attuned to detail, abstraction, and philosophy. More than just a new representation deal, this move represents a deeper creative alignment – one that promises to push boundaries in both craft and storytelling.

Ben’s connection to the French market runs deep. Having collaborated on acclaimed short films like Apricot and Blood Pulls a Gun with French colleagues, he has long been drawn to the region’s filmmaking approach. 

“My sensibilities weave nicely together with the European sense of philosophy and detail,” he explains. Whether it’s the way European agencies prioritise second-degree character nuances in casting or how directors are encouraged to embrace playful abstraction, France has always been a place where Ben’s storytelling can thrive.

This creative synergy was evident in Le Parcours (The Obstacle Course), a powerful two-minute POV commercial for the Inter-LGBT Association, created with TBWA\Paris. The film’s innovative visual language and deeply emotional core demonstrated Ben’s ability to craft meaningful narratives within the constraints of commercial filmmaking. “For me, the point of commercials is to capture the audience’s attention with storytelling - whatever form that takes - making them consider what’s on offer by connecting emotionally,” he says.

Ben’s ability to bring cinematic depth to commercial work sets him apart in the industry. Whether working with luxury brands, human rights organisations, or global campaigns, Ben approaches each project with the same level of care and storytelling ambition. This reputation for blending artistic vision with commercial effectiveness is one of the reasons why Loveboat wanted to pursue him for their roster.

Ben’s signing with Loveboat is more than just a strategic career move, it’s the result of long-standing relationships and shared creative priorities. He already had strong ties to the team, having crossed paths with the EPs when they were at Stink Films, and he speaks highly of the friendships he has built within the roster. But beyond personal connections, what drew him to Loveboat was their shared approach to craft.

“I love Greg Panteix’s sensibility and taste, and Marine Garnier and I keep having three-hour-long conversations about life, art, and everything in between. Her communication is super impressive,” he muses. “It feels like Loveboat and I have the same priorities when looking to make good work – that’s the right step.”

Ben also tells LBB how he admires the broader creative culture at Loveboat, inspired by figures like Loveboat co-founder, Nicolas Winding Refn, whose genre-defying approach to film, television, and commercials continues to push visual storytelling forward. This intersection of high craft and bold vision aligns perfectly with Briand’s ambitions.

For Ben, the distinction between commercial and narrative filmmaking isn’t a divide but a dance, one feeding into the other. Whether working on emotionally charged branded films like The Journey, which told the story of Brazilian ballet dancer Ingrid Silva, or developing long-form projects, his focus remains on storytelling that resonates.

Exciting upcoming projects include feature films attracting top-tier producers in both Australia and the U.S., but he sees his return to France as an opportunity to continue evolving his creative language. “I believe you make the best work when you are inspired by those around you and the fearlessness of those you are making the work with. The Loveboat team will absolutely be involved in that because our creative chemical reaction feels like it’s already bubbling away nicely.”

Ben is particularly excited about the state of film craft in 2025, believing that audiences are craving work that speaks with a strong voice and pushes creative boundaries. “There have been a few recent projects that signal a shift, and I think it’s a sign that viewers relish work that is daring and exciting. I hope that means more is on the way.”

Beyond the screen, Ben’s creative process is deeply immersive. Music plays a crucial role in how he develops ideas, often shaping the visual tone of his projects before a single frame is shot. “If I can find the right sound that expresses what I’m searching for in the visual realm, then it’s like the wavelengths sync up and things flow really nicely,” he explains. He recalls writing a short film script while listening to the same song on repeat for three days in a hotel room in La Défense, another experience that highlights his deep connection to the French creative landscape.

With his return to the French market facilitated by Loveboat, Ben is poised to take on new challenges and collaborations that will further expand his already diverse body of work. Whether crafting evocative commercial pieces, developing feature films, or exploring new forms of storytelling, he remains committed to the idea that great filmmaking is about connection – both with collaborators and audiences alike.

As he embarks on this next chapter, it’s clear that his return to France isn’t just about where he is represented, but rather where his storytelling belongs. With Loveboat, he’s found a home that values craft, emotion, and artistry in equal measure. And with that foundation in place, the most exciting work is still to come.