Exploring the best in music videos, ads and short-form filmmaking

The world of commercial direction has yielded some of the most singular filmmaking talents of the last twenty years, from David Fincher (Se7en, The Social Network) to Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich, Where the Wild Things Are) to Sweden’s Roy Andersson (Songs from the Second Floor). This exciting new series surveys some of the most innovative music videos, short films and TV spots from around the world, revealing the richness and invention of this often overlooked sphere of filmmaking.

Our first installment opens with a showcase of Unsigned Directors, originally conceived for the Cíclope International Advertising Craft Festival. We then cast an eye on upstart music video production house Skin Flicks, founded by UK music video veterans Richard Skinner and John Hassay. Special guests include independent director A.J. Bond and Scott Mackenzie, executive producer of Toronto-based commercial production house Radke, who will discuss the ups and downs on the road to directorial success.—Rae Ann Fera

Rae Ann Fera is the former editor of Boards Magazine, the leading international industry publication about the business and production of filmed advertising content, and has covered the creative advertising, commercial production and design fields for nearly a decade. Complete programme details available at tiff.net

Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (Short)
Santander Rio "Hair Conditioner" (Spot)
Sebastien Grainger "Who Do We Care For?" (Music Video)
Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip "Cauliflower" (Music Video)
White Hinterland "No Logic" (Music Video)
States of Emotion "The Unsung" (Music Video)
Miike Snow "Burial" (Music Video)
Dolce & Gabbana (Spot)
MTA "Getting Around" (Spot)
Breakfast (Short)
Hirsute (Short)
Tears (Short)
Gumboots (Short)
MTV BASE "The Lick" (Spot)
Open Your Face and Make Words (Short)
WWF Earth Hour "Lights Off" (Spot)
MTV "Foreigners" (Spot)
Music Matters " Phil Lynott" (Spot)
Love Does Grow on Trees (Short)
Dir. Tell No One "Seaweed" (Music Video)
Dir. Marie Kristiansen "Lucy in Disguise" (Music Video)
Vice "Pizza" (Music Video)
Grum "Through the Night" (Music Video)
Coco Electrik "Fire and Ice" (Music Video)