Tool Signs Director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, Jr.

Creative production partner Tool has announced the addition of Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, Jr. to its growing roster of directors. An award-winning director and Ghanaian-American voice, Emmanuel is best known for his work on award-winning television series like FX’s Shōgun and Netflix’s The Recruit, his feature debut, Black Box, and his direction of commercials for brands like Mitsubishi.

Emmanuel has quickly grown a strong reputation for his passion for authentic, sensitive, and human-centred stories. His first feature film, Black Box, dubbed a NYTimes Critics' Pick, was written and directed for Blumhouse and Amazon as part of the Welcome to the Blumhouse collection. Following the film’s success, he has directed on critically acclaimed television series such as Shōgun - a seven-time Primetime Emmy Award winner and five-time Golden Globe Award winner - as well as The Recruit, The Midnight Club, and Star Trek: Discovery.

Additionally, he has directed commercials for brands including Mitsubishi, Phillips 66, and Tenaris.

“We are thrilled that Emmanuel is taking the next step in his commercial directorial career with us,” said Nancy Hacohen, managing director at Tool. “He is an exceptional filmmaker, and we’re excited to help bring his distinctive style to brands looking for an emotive, vulnerable visual storyteller.”

Emmanuel’s films have screened and won awards at international film festivals, including Toronto, Palm Springs, the NBC Short Film Festival, and the Pan African Film Festival. Tool will represent Emmanuel’s commercial career in the USA, effective immediately. 

“From the beginning of my career in film in Japan, I’ve been inspired by how a director can shape the viewer’s experience - using colour, light, and sound to draw them in and create an emotional connection with a character,” said Emmanuel “Tool has a longstanding reputation for collaborating with the industry's top directors, and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together.”