RSA Films has added filmmaker Brent Harris to its roster for commercial representation in the U.S. and U.K. His aptitude for authentic, intimate performances and atmospheric visuals can be seen in campaigns for leading brands and agencies. Highlights of his work include Nike’s “Love Your Dream” (Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam), an insider’s look at fútbol star Kylian Mbappé’s path to greatness, and NASCAR’s “Join The Battle” (Ogilvy NY), a rallying cry for NASCAR’s far-reaching fandom. He’s also directed spots for Coca-Cola, EA, Expedia, Sky Sports, Goodyear, PlayStation, GNC, McDonald’s, Intel and many other brands.
He wrote and directed two short films, Locals Only (2019), an award-winning, deeply personal story about his own experience growing up in Apartheid South Africa which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the artful, reverential La Légende (2021), his personal tribute to famed electronic duo Daft Punk.
Luke Ricci, president of RSA Films U.S., said of Harris, “He’s an incredible visual storyteller with an exceptional eye and captures beautifully authentic performances from talent. We look forward to bringing him many more great opportunities.”
Harris said, “After 10 great years at Skunk, I was at a stage in my career where I was ready for a new chapter. In chatting with my great pal, talent manager Philip Fox-Mills, I learned that RSA had a young and dynamic new president at the helm in L.A. It was clear Luke was bringing a new energy and impetus to what is of course a preeminent filmmaker’s production company. Luke and I had a fantastic conversation then I had a brilliant chat with Kai [Hsiung, global managing director], and I knew immediately that RSA would be my new home.
“I love any great story that deserves telling,” Harris continued. “I’m especially drawn to ideas where I can layer in some poetry and atmosphere in the visual storytelling. At RSA, I’d like to push my own limits as a writer-director in narrative and documentary filmmaking, and directing commercials of course.”
Harris grew up in Cape Town. He went to school for liberal arts in the small South African town of Grahamstown. His film school education came from attending weekly screenings at two local art house cinemas where he soaked up the genius of Kubrick, Lynch, Polanski and Antonioni. He later returned to Cape Town where he graduated from UCT. His first work as a director was serendipitous. A friend hired him to deliver checks to lottery winners for the first lottery company in South Africa, and then to make a day-in-the-life content piece about all of them. Harris recalled, “Being the bearer of such good news, often to those of very, very humble means, was for sure the most gratifying job I could ever have.”
Over the course of his career, Harris’ work has been honored with Cannes Lions, D&AD and One Show Pencils, and AICP Awards.
Harris is currently based in New York. In addition to directing commercials, he’s developing a feature film about a particularly dark and controversial chapter in the life of Frank Lloyd Wright.
