Storytelling has been Daniel's passion ever since he could build intricate Lego shows for his family's entertainment. A childhood spent in Cyprus, Lebanon and Egypt exposed him to cultures rich in cinematic heritage and history. By age 15, Daniel had already directed two short films, performed on national theatre, twice, and had re-watched ‘It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’ too many times to count.
Two film schools and a student OSCAR nominated short later, Daniel would spend more than a decade between the United States and South Africa refining his skills as an offline editor while collaborating with the best (and some of the not-so-best) in the industry. His experiences in post-production have become his most valuable asset as a director, significantly influencing his creative choices. Daniel got into directing through music videos, a medium combining his favorite two things, music and film.
Daniel is drawn to making the ordinary extraordinary, capturing the human experience in unexpected and visually spectacular ways. This pursuit has taken him across genres in Africa and the Middle East, earning nods of recognition from the industry along the way. When he’s not behind the camera, Daniel can be found hunting for missing Lego pieces, struggling through a game of squash, engrossed in a flight manual, or indulging in endless rewatches of his all-time favorite films.
AWARDS & KUDOS:Two film schools and a student OSCAR nominated short later, Daniel would spend more than a decade between the United States and South Africa refining his skills as an offline editor while collaborating with the best (and some of the not-so-best) in the industry. His experiences in post-production have become his most valuable asset as a director, significantly influencing his creative choices. Daniel got into directing through music videos, a medium combining his favorite two things, music and film.
Daniel is drawn to making the ordinary extraordinary, capturing the human experience in unexpected and visually spectacular ways. This pursuit has taken him across genres in Africa and the Middle East, earning nods of recognition from the industry along the way. When he’s not behind the camera, Daniel can be found hunting for missing Lego pieces, struggling through a game of squash, engrossed in a flight manual, or indulging in endless rewatches of his all-time favorite films.
_ Ciclope Finalist, No Logo, 'Set Your Heart Free,' (March 2021)
_ Best in Craft, IdidThat, 'Set Your Heart Free,' (January 2021)
_ Ad Forum, Top 5 Production Directors, 'Memory Lane,' (April 2020)
_ Loeries Music Video Finalist, 'Game of Love,' (2018)
_ Official Selection, 'room' (2016-2018), for the following international film festivals: San Francisco Dance Film Festival, Cinedans - Dance on Screen,
Bogotá Music Video Festival, Migration, Athens Video Dance Project, Bucharest International Dance Film Festival, Mexico City Videodance Festival
_ Short & Sweet Music Video Awards, winner, Best Editing, ‘Mondays,’ (2015)
_ Short & Sweet Music Video Awards, nominations: Best New Director, Best Original Concept and Best Animated Video ‘Best Pretenders,’ (2015)
_ DSTV MK Music Video Project Winner, ‘Best Pretenders’ (2012)
_ MNET TAG Awards, winner, Best Creative Script, nomination for People’s Choice Award, (2011)
_ Los Angeles Music Video Festival, Finalist, Best Music Video, 'Caves,' (2010)
_ South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) Nomination, Best Student Film, 'Wamkelekile,' credits: Editor & Producer (2010)
_ Student Academy Award Nomination (OSCAR), Honorary Foreign Student Film, 'Wamkelekile,' credits: Editor & Producer (2009)
_ Board of Executive Award for Film-making Excellence, South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (2009)
_ Florida Motion Picture & Television Association Silver Award, for cinematography, 'Meiyo,’ (2006)
_ Full Sail University Associates Directors Award for Post Production (2005)
_ Full Sail University Digitial Cinematography Award, Best Cinematography in a Digital Student Short (2004)