Engine announces new director

Engine today announced the addition of multi-award winning US director Saman Keshavarz to the company's stable.

Keshavarz shot to the world stage winning awards for TVCs and music videos for Canon and Cinnamon Chasers’ Luv Deluxe while still at art school (the latter garnering over a million online views in the week of release).

Described as a creative genius by those he has worked with, last year Keshavarz won the 2010 Clio Best Commercial, 2010 Gold Addy, 2010 Emmy Outstanding Commercial and 2010 YDA Cannes Silver for the TVC Game of Digital Freeze Tag. He also won an award at South by Southwest festival in the US and was an official selection for both the 2010 Saatchi & Saatchi Directors' Showcase and 2010 Vimeo Awards.

Engine EP Adam Wells said Keshavarz was a truly unique creative force.

“His personal take on non-linear storytelling really is like nothing you have ever seen before,” he said. “Saman also uses a very quick, off-the-hip shooting style which makes all of his work incredible engaging for the viewer. We are delighted and very excited to have Saman on board.”

Keshavarz said he had many influences in his life and work.

“Everyone from Hideo Kojima, Kubrick, Soderbergh and Fincher to Spike Jonze,” he said. “This means my style and my work is pretty intense and energetic for the most part. I have a saying with my peers, "I want somebody to watch this and say - Hell Yeah!". I guess I like stuff to be provocative, crazy, fun, unique and I hate cliches.”

“I like breaking classic and tired stuff and putting it back together with more vibrancy and excitement - but most importantly I just want to make compelling work. The Australian and Asian markets are so unique and different in comparison to the UK, European and US ones. I am flattered that a company like Engine is into my stuff and are here to back me up. The Asian market is crazy because it moves faster than anybody else and unless you’re a heavy hitter old school director, not much work reaches them unless you got a company like Engine selling your ass!”