James Lawes Director

About

I’m a commercials director drawn to emotive, visceral films that bring a touch of the unexpected to grounded human storytelling.

My work combines strong performances from actors and non-actors with cinematic craft, in-camera techniques and a highly considered style. Whether working with real people, scripted performance or more heightened ideas, I’m drawn to stories that feel memorable, immediate and emotionally connected.

After graduating from New York Film Academy, I directed a series of idents for ITV that won the Cobra Vision Film Festival. The prize included a year’s supply of beer, but more importantly led to funding for my debut short film, Lady Macbeth.

Since then, I’ve directed commercials, branded films, music promos, documentaries, short films and television work across the UK and internationally, for clients including Amazon, Disney, McDonald’s, Chevrolet, Lexus, Canon, Pfizer, Renault, Old El Paso, WWF, Age UK and Nature Valley.

My work has picked up more than 45 international awards across Cannes Media & TV Awards, New York Festivals, EvCom, The Drum Roses, WorldFest Houston and the British Horror Film Festival, with recognition for direction, writing, drama, public-interest storytelling, brand film and health campaigns.

At the heart of it all is a simple aim: to make work that feels cinematic, distinctive and emotionally alive.