Emerald Pictures has signed directing team + jacksonkarinja, consisting of Gareth Jackson and Mark Karinja.
Jackson and Karinja have been collaborators for more than 15 years. They met on film crews in New York City, bonding over their shared roots shooting skate, surf, and snowboarding films–Jackson on the West Coast of Mexico and Karinja along the Eastern seaboard. Not long after, they formed + jacksonkarinja. As directors and cinematographers, their hands-on, deeply collaborative approach unites them behind a singular creative vision, brought to life through a sharp cinematic vocabulary. Their work is defined by detailed storytelling, striking composition, and an instinct for crafting films that captivate and entertain.
The work of + jacksonkarinja spans commercials, shorts and music videos. They’ve directed real people, seasoned actors, and world-class athletes with equal deftness, drawing nuanced and compelling performances that pull audiences closer. Their reel includes energetic, visually driven spots for Activision, Adidas, Amazon, Apple, BMW, Budweiser, Chase, Converse, eBay, Powerade, Samsung, and Starbucks. Their narrative work includes short films such as Chasing Silence,
Prior to joining Emerald Pictures, they had most recently been repped in the U.S. by production company Little Minx.
Representing the directors’ last names, the “+” in their moniker symbolizes the wider circle of collaborators whose creativity, time, and talent shape each film.
“We couldn’t be happier to join Emerald Pictures,” shared + jacksonkarinja in a joint statement. “We felt a kinship when we first met with John [Duffin] and Mara [Milićević], and we think that Emerald perfectly matches our sensibilities as filmmakers–we can’t wait to get started.”
John Duffin, co-founder and co-managing director of Emerald Pictures, added, “Gareth and Mark artistically complement one another beautifully. Their skills as filmmakers are as vast and impressive as they are, and it shows in every piece they create. They’re tried and true collaborators who genuinely love the work they do, and we connected with them right away on a deep personal level. They are great humans, and we’re ecstatic to have them with us at Emerald.”
