Sweetshop Australia signs director Paul Nevison for representation

Sweetshop has signed director Paul Nevison for representation in Australia.

The Australia-based, Kiwi director has over 20 years of experience in film and documentaries. His work mixes real-life events with cinematic elements to create evocative retellings of true stories, often giving a voice to marginalised and disadvantaged groups. Filmmaking has taken Nevison to over 40 countries where he’s developed an intuitive style steeped in the complexities of human emotion, utilising intimate cinematic portraits to uncover truths both personal and universal.

Nevison was a Gold Screen winner at Cannes Lions’ YDA in 2020 with his film Nitachez / I Will Dance. Described by Film Shortage as a vivid visual experience with some absolutely breath-taking photography,” Nevison’s film Volta was also awarded a YDA Gold Screen and Gold at Ciclope Africa in 2019.

Returning to the important field of campaign filmmaking as part of anti-slavery charity A21’s global push to raise public awareness of the growing practice of human trafficking and exploitation, his film Can You See Me? Love Story tells a tragic, but cautionary tale on the dangers of the internet.

As winner of YDA and Sweetshop’s 2019-2020 Mentorship prize, Nevison has worked on the process of translating skills and experience in the documentary world to TVCs. Sweetshop has also worked with Nevison for the last six months making commercials, including a recent campaign with Leo Burnett Sydney.

Says Edward Pontifex, managing director of Sweetshop Australia: “Since we met Paul through the mentorship, he has been enormously proactive about working with our MDs, EPs and Directors on translating his documentary experience to commercial advertising. We’ve been so impressed with his collaborative working style, how easy he is to work with and, of course, the visually beautiful films he brings to life. I’m hugely excited to see just how far he’ll go in the world of commercial advertising, as well as the longform and branded content possibilities that our entertainment division Sweetshop & Green offers.”

Says Nevison: “I’m excited to be taking the next steps in my career with a company that is so committed to arresting storytelling. The impressive array of talent Sweetshop attracts speaks volumes for the culture of craft that’s at the core of everything they do. To be joining such an accomplished team of excellent humans is an exciting proposition. I’m looking forward to pushing my filmmaking with Sweetshop across different genres in both commercial and long-form projects.”

Says Wilf Sweetland, global CEO and partner of Sweetshop: “I’ve been blown away by Paul and his films since meeting him last year. He is a superbly talented director with a way of telling stories that genuinely moves his audience. I’m really looking forward to what we can do together in the commercial arena in Australia. I know brands and agencies are going to love working with him.”

To watch Paul’s recent work click here.

To work with Paul contact Edward Pontifex at epontifex@thesweetshop.tv or Greg Fyson at greg@thesweetshop.tv.