B-Reel Films (BR•F) directorial duo TAO/S, made up of brothers Aaron and Winston Tao, have had a monumental Cannes Lions this year. On the heels of winning Best Direction at the AICP Show, the pair took home the Silver for Best Direction for their stirring campaign film “The Rabbit Hole.,” The six-minute short for SOS International, an at-risk children’s nonprofit, was also shortlisted for Best Script, Best Editing, and Best Sound Design in the Film Craft category.
The honors from Cannes add to an already fruitful year for TAO/S and the film, which explores the grim and often misunderstood reality of child sex trafficking as it follows two young sisters striving to make their dream to go to Hawaii come true. Since 2022, “The Rabbit Hole” has been widely shortlisted and won at the AICP Show, D&D Awards, Anthem Wares, Shots, and 1.4 Awards, among others.
As the acclaimed branded short hits the global standard for excellence in creativity and effectiveness, this Cannes Lion win magnifies TAO/S’ exceptional directorial talent. This year, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity announced their receipt of a total of 26,992 entries for the 2023 Awards, an increase of 6% from 2022 — and, remarkably, “The Rabbit Hole” is one of only a handful of projects coming home a winner.
In the film, TAO/S subtly convey how two relatable girls, their shared dream, and their youth are tainted by a largely invisible undercurrent of exploitation using stark, opposing images to build tension.
In this way, “The Rabbit Hole” is the pinnacle of this duo’s style, defined by an emotionally compelling and deeply human approach to storytelling, as well as an emphasis on complex, nuanced characters and social issues. This same heartbeat is evident throughout TAO/S’ previous work for Volvo, Ford, The Yard Muay Thai, and the Helen Bamber Foundation, which aids refugees dealing with trauma in assimilating into society.
TAO/S are currently in development for their feature, GOODBYE, HURRICANE, an Academy Nicholls semifinalist, Sundance semifinalist, and Black List x CAPE finalist for 2021. They are signed with BR•F for commercial representation in the United States.
Watch “The Rabbit Hole” here: https://brf.co/project/the-rabbit-hole/
Link for the film on Lions- The Work: https://www.lovethework.com/en-GB/entries/the-rabbit-hole-685570
“The Rabbit Hole” Screenwork Credits
Client: SOS International
Production Company: Jyra Films Executive Producers: Kyle Rogers, Phil Putnam Service Production Company: Story We Produce Producer: Jaume Rigual Line Producer: Paulette Arrieta
Writer + Director // tao/s, 1st AD: Michelle Circuit, Cinematographer: Lluís Marti Production Designers: María Fernanda Contreras, Silvisabel Fajardo HMU: Maria C Barrera Wardrobe: Angela Patiño
Post-Producer: Sunshine Clay @ Bruton Stroube Edit: Lucas Harger @ Bruton Stroube, Color: Martí Somoza, Sound Design/Score: Steve Horne @Bruton Stroube, VFX: Samm Hodges
Talent: Sofia Carrizales, Andrea Alexa Mondragon, Monica Bejarano, Fernando Sanchez
Special Thanks: Sanctuary Content: Preston Lee, Noah Thomason, Elle Ginter
About B-Reel Films (BR•F)
B-Reel Films (BR•F) is a production company that skillfully crafts commercials, films, TV series and documentaries. For over two decades, their offices in Stockholm and Los Angeles have gained the reputation of fostering original and diverse storytellers with a strong point of view.
Known for the international horror phenomenon, “Midsommar,” and the award-winning documentary, “I Am Greta,” BR•F Films have won numerous awards for their feature films and commercials, from the Cannes Lions Grand Prix to the Emmys, to being named Production Company of the Year by Adage.
The unwavering goal is always to produce content with broad audience appeal without compromising on artistic quality, all the while ensuring that BR•F consistently contributes to achieving and maintaining an industry that is both sustainable and fair.
“The Rabbit Hole” Award Wins and Nominations:
- Cannes Lions – Best Direction, Silver Winner, 2023
- Cannes Lions – Best Script, Shortlist, 2023
- Cannes Lions – Best Editing, Shortlist, 2023
- Cannes Lions – Best Sound Design, Shortlist, 2023
- D&D Awards – Best Long Form, Wooden Pencil Winner, 2023
- AICP Show – Best Direction, Winner, 2023
- AICP Next Awards – Purpose Driven, Shortlist, 2023
- The One Show Awards – Best Branded Entertainment, Long Form Video, Nominee, 2023
- Webby Awards – Best Branded Entertainment, Public Service & Activism, Nominee, 2023
- Shots – Ad of the Year: Charity, Gold Winner, 2023
- Anthem Awards – Special Projects, Gold Winner, 2023
- Anthem Awards – Film, Video, Television or Show, Silver Winner, 2023
- Vimeo Staff Pick, Official Selection, 2022
- 1.4 Awards – On The Cusp of Greatness, Best Branded, Gold Winner, 2022
- 1.4 Awards – On The Cusp of Greatness, Best Short Film, Shortlist, 2022
- Indie Shorts Awards Cannes – Jury Award, Best Male Director Winner, 2022
- One Screen/Show Awards – Best in Craft, Emerging Filmmaker Winner, 2022
- One Screen Film Festival – Best in Genre, Fiction Winner, 2022
- One Screen Film Festival, – Best in Craft, Directing Winner, 2022
- One Screen Film Festival – Best in Craft, Screenplay Nominee, 2022
- One Screen Film Festival – Best in Latin America Nominee, 2022
- Beyond the Short – Official Selection, 2022
- Film Shortage – Best Picks of the Month, 2022
- Cannes Indie Shorts Awards – Best Male Director, 2022
