AIR’s Second Unsigned Diverse Directors Showcase Spotlights Underrepresented Talent

Another group of filmmakers just got their moment in the sun. AIR - the Alliance of Independent Representatives – recently hosted its 2nd Annual Unsigned Diverse Directors Showcase. The virtual event, sponsored by Simian, the video sharing and reel building service, took place on May 22nd. 

The Final Five directors featured on the Showcase were selected from a pool of over 60 entries in a blind vote of AIR members. They presented their work and took questions from a virtual industry audience that included AIR members, production company client EPs, members from AIR partner ADA (Association of Directors Agents) and other special guests. 

The finalists were also awarded a free online Commercial Directing Masterclass from Commercial Directing Film School’s Jordan Brady, who directs through his own production company, True Gentleman. 

This year’s finalists included: 

Samer Almadani, a first generation Syrian American, born in Ohio. He is a commercial director/DP known for making the ordinary seem extraordinary with dynamic work in food and tabletop, sports and lifestyle. 

Megan Brotherton, a writer-director known for telling funny stories with real heart. She earned her MFA from Harvard and got her start directing for Funny Or Die, where her videos have amassed more than 20 million views. 

Jose Ho-Guanipa, born in Montreal to Venezuelan and Chinese parents, he makes films about the power of the human spirit. Jose was selected for Shoot’s New Director Showcase and was named to the Top 200 list at Ben Affleck + Matt Damon's Project Greenlight Competition. 

Jeffrey Morgan, a Native American / Mexican American, born in California and raised in Alaska, His Native American tribe helped him attend NYU’s film school. After working at Deutsch for over 20 years, he left to direct and make documentary films.

Ivan Carlos Vaccaro, born in Buenos Aires and is now based in Mexico City. In 2006 he began directing music videos and earned Latin Grammy nominations leading him into commercials, focusing primarily on automotive work. 

The Unsigned Directors Showcase is one of several initiatives that AIR’s DIT committee has undertaken to address the overall lack of diversity in the advertising and production industries. This committee works to create meaningful change and facilitate opportunities for talent from underrepresented groups, including from the BIPOC, women, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities. 

Says Sonia Blum of Sonia Reps, AIR’s Diversity in Talent Committee co-chair, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with our committee members on the Showcase, and I’m proud of all the winners. The quality of work we’re seeing from underrepresented talent is outstanding, but we still need further opportunities for these directors’ work to be seen.” 

Added DIT Committee co-chair Mary Saxon of Saxon Presents, “The majority of last year’s finalists signed on with AIR client production companies for representation, and we’re hopeful that this year’s directors will all find a home as well.” 

AIR, the Alliance of Independent Representatives, is a non-profit trade association for the commercial content talent manager community. AIR members provide business development services and connect live action, post production and other content resources and solutions with creative opportunities at agencies, brands and media companies.