Pulse Films has added Paris-based director Ludovic (Ludo) Gontrand to its roster for representation in the U.S. and U.K. spanning commercials and music videos. This marks his first representation in the U.S. and U.K. markets. Gontrand continues to be repped in the Benelux territories–Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg–by production house Hamlet.
In the commercial space Gontrand has worked with a number of prominent clients such as Leica, Honda, UEFA, Xiaomi, Ubisoft and Skyn. His work for the latter intimate brand earned nomination recognition at The One Show. Gontrand’s short film Legacy, a study of intergenerational transmission viewed through the lens of his family, was shortlisted for the Cannes Young Directors Awards in 2021, while his “Turquoise” music video for artist Blu Samu won the Gold Shark for Best New Director in 2023.
Gontrand has always been fascinated by cinema, and its language, even describing it as creating life itself. And with it you have the power of stories; to make you think differently, to show you another point of view, to move you. Gontrand formulated this perception as a boy saying, “When I was little, I wondered how it was possible to create such complex realities in a film…The number of hours spent, the people involved, the technical collaboration, it feels almost impossible…”
Formerly an agency art director, Gontrand has a body of work ranging from documentaries to short films, music videos and commercials. Born and raised in Provence, Gontrand spent much of his time contemplating his local skateboard and rave scene, while considering photography and design as a career. Landing an internship at a Parisian skate magazine and subsequently a job as a creative at Sid Lee were the first steps in his pursuit of advertising and cinema.
Pulse Films’ Mino Jarjoura, global president, commercials and music videos, said of Gontrand, “He distinguishes himself as a director who is profoundly thoughtful and meticulously detailed in his approach to telling stories. He has a discerning eye for composition, a unique vision to make work that resonates while understanding what all the stakeholders are after.”
