Los York Films has added filmmaker Jackson Tisi to its creative roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials, branded content and music videos. The 23-year-old filmmaker was nominated for the 2019 Cannes Advertising Festival’s Young Directors Award and was a finalist for the One Club Young Guns 17 award. This marks his first production company representation. Tisi joins a Los York directorial lineup that includes Dane Del Deo, Jeff Johnson, Sinuhe Xavier, and company CEO/director Seth Epstein.
“The moment I saw Jackson’s work I knew that he was a one of a kind talent. As we developed our relationship, it became clear to me—and to everyone who has the opportunity to collaborate with Jackson—that even as a young filmmaker he is a master at his craft,” said Los York executive producer Leticia Gurjao.
Tisi’s work includes Spotify featuring rapper Meek Mill, a collaboration with MasterCard featuring supermodel Lily Aldridge and pro-surfer Ian Walsh, and a lyrical documentary short titled Hummingbirds in the Trenches that follows the story of Baltimore poet Kondwani Fidel. Tisi has helmed music videos for artists like Raveena and Pink Sweat$, and commercials for Steinway & Sons and Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Born and raised in rural Wyoming, Tisi has a gritty visual style that was influenced by early interests in freestyle skiing and skateboard culture, the latter of which became the subject of many early filmmaking efforts.
This influence is evident in his documentary short Good Medicine, a piece commissioned by Facebook and co-executive produced by actress Sofia Vergara. Filmed in Riverton, Wyoming, the short follows youth and elders on the Wind River Indian Reservation who find their passion and solace in skateboarding. The film features members of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes.
Good Medicine and Hummingbirds in the Trenches saw Tisi nominated twice for the Cannes 2019 Young Director’s Award and for the 2019 Young Guns 17 by The One Club for Creativity.
Tisi said, “In my case–and in the case of many younger filmmakers–I come from a place of hustling and making things happen on my own. So, whether it is spec work or a music video, I feel more free to experiment in a lot of different ways. To me, there are no genres out of reach.”
Regarding his decision to join the Los York Films’ roster, Tisi added: ‘’The people I met and the culture of Los York was big draw for me.’’
Among other music videos and advertisements currently in development, Tisi is slated to release his new short LEON in May. Exploring themes of mental health in the life of Pittsburgh activist Leon Ford, the relevant, emotionally moving project is timed for release during Mental Health Awareness month.
