A global citizen with a twinkle in his eye and a fire in his soul - Daniel is drawn to timeless human themes, presenting his visuals with a touch of old-school, nostalgic sensibility, alongside a contrasted contemporary style. Think lo-fi, in hi-def.
Daniel’s passion for crafting stories found expression at an early stage. Growing up between the Mediterranean, Middle East, America and Africa meant exposure to a rich culture of cinematic heritage and an inevitable fascination with movies. After graduating from film schools in both America and South Africa (earning himself numerous accolades along the way) Daniel spent over a decade honing his craft as an editor all over the world. It wasn’t long before his meticulous passion in postproduction along with his great love for music found inevitable expression through music videos, a dynamic genre which continues to captivate Daniel’s directorial vision. Alongside his progression as a narrative storyteller his fascination with movement on camera developed into a signature stylistic trifecta: music, motion, meaning.
Today, Daniel’s extensive background in editing as well as his sensitive approach to visual storytelling lends a unique angle to his directorial style. An introvert who loves people, he is driven to seek the extraordinary in the ordinary - to capture the essence of humanity in emotionally arresting, unexpected ways. In practice, his desire to tell small stories in a big way has led to a diverse body of work, reflecting transcendent themes of culture, contrast and essential humanity through the dynamic and endlessly promising lens of contemporary image-making.
AWARDS & KUDOS:
_ 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)
Daniel’s passion for crafting stories found expression at an early stage. Growing up between the Mediterranean, Middle East, America and Africa meant exposure to a rich culture of cinematic heritage and an inevitable fascination with movies. After graduating from film schools in both America and South Africa (earning himself numerous accolades along the way) Daniel spent over a decade honing his craft as an editor all over the world. It wasn’t long before his meticulous passion in postproduction along with his great love for music found inevitable expression through music videos, a dynamic genre which continues to captivate Daniel’s directorial vision. Alongside his progression as a narrative storyteller his fascination with movement on camera developed into a signature stylistic trifecta: music, motion, meaning.
Today, Daniel’s extensive background in editing as well as his sensitive approach to visual storytelling lends a unique angle to his directorial style. An introvert who loves people, he is driven to seek the extraordinary in the ordinary - to capture the essence of humanity in emotionally arresting, unexpected ways. In practice, his desire to tell small stories in a big way has led to a diverse body of work, reflecting transcendent themes of culture, contrast and essential humanity through the dynamic and endlessly promising lens of contemporary image-making.
AWARDS & KUDOS:
_ 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)