The director and visual artist who signed to Stink last year twists reality to her own distinctive vision - as shown in the striking self-portrait above. As well as working with brands she has an ongoing exhibition project, her debut EP of experimental music is coming soon, she's looking forward to dirt bike season - and she loves Massive Attack.Anna van der Velde challenges creative conventions by blending film, digital art, technology, and abstract movement. Through untraditional framing, static compositions, and choreography, she builds worlds layered with metaphor and emotion. Brands such as Nike, Adidas, The Face, Numéro, and Iris Van Herpen have collaborated with Anna, experimenting with philosophical ideas through arresting visual forms.What’s your background? Where did you grow up?ANNA VAN DER VELDE: In the Netherlands. And I went to fashion school in Amsterdam, where I received my Bachelor of the Arts.What were the important first projects for you, in terms of a learning experience and getting noticed, or a foothold in the industry?AVDV: My project for Iris van Herpen [in 2022/23] was the first time I connected digital media with traditional film in a symbolic way. That project was very important for defining my style and direction.Can you tell us about your first music video or music-related project and how it turned out?AVDV: It was a super-cute series of music videos for a German pop artist [Lotte, above]. If I think about it, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing! But maybe that was exactly the power of it, because I just let my imagination run wild and came up with all sorts of symbolism and metaphors.I always try to look at the meaning of things rather than copying an aesthetic.I nowadays catch myself sometimes thinking too much about visual technique and outcome, before just thinking about the meaning and story. Remembering my younger and less experienced self helps me to get back to that raw, untamed fantasy.Where do you draw your inspiration for your own work?AVDV: I try to not look too much at the work of other directors for inspiration. I take inspiration from ancient stories, other artforms and my own psychological state and emotions. I always try to look at the meaning of things rather than copying an aesthetic.What’s your favourite music video, or music-related project, you’ve made so far?AVDV: My project for Nike and The Face starring artist Cora, which I did together with Stink Films. It wasn’t technically a music video, but it was very centred around music and what it means for a community - in this case the Berlin music scene.It was beautiful to be approached for this project and to be given so much trust and creative freedom by The Face and Nike teams. Trust is the foundation of a good project, and this one felt like a truly pleasant collaboration where I felt deeply connected with everyone involved.What has been the most creatively rewarding non-music project of the past year or so?AVDV: My favourite non-music-video project of the past year was my multidisciplinary solo exhibition BEELZEBUB, which took place in Berlin a year ago. The title BEELZEBUB means “lord of the flies” or “the devil,” and the work explores the topic of grief and the experience of having dark thoughts, which are symbolised in the project by drones.The exhibition is based on my film BEELZEBUB and extracts one of its scenes into a physical and immersive space. The show combines film, performance art, live sound, installations and CGI projections. It was the most powerful and personal thing I’ve ever created, and the response was overwhelming. It connected me with a sense of purpose I had never experienced before.Which aspect of the job do you enjoy the most?AVDV: EVERYTHING. It has so many magical aspects to me. Being lost in my own imagination during pitch phases; the power of collaboration on set with other beautiful humans; seeing the world and visiting beautiful places. It really is the whole package for me. Even the struggles that come with this profession make it worth it.Can you tell us about your next project?AVDV: I am working on BEELZEBUB, which I hope to travel internationally. I had a show in Berlin last year. This year I am aiming to bring the piece to other countries. Where [that will be] is still a secret, haha. Besides that I am about to release my first own EP.Which artist or band would you most like to make a music video for? AVDV: Massive Attack! Huge fan girl. Career-wise where do you hope to be in five years time?AVDV: To still love my job as much as I do now! I want to make my first arthouse feature and I hope to expand my multidisciplinary practice even more. An exhibition in an established museum would be a dream too.What do you like to do when you’re not making films?AVDV: So much haha! I love extreme sports such as scuba diving, kite-surfing and I am currently working on getting my dirt bike ready for the season.I also make experimental music and love going to sound performances and (modern) art exhibitions. But what keeps me sane is long walks in nature with my dog Clemens, or cooking for my loved ones.• Anna Van Der Velde is represented by Stink Films for music videos and commercials. Watch her showreel here.

After the charming Miami, Margate band Pigeon are back with a Western-themed promo for their next single Black James Dean. Pigeon boast a genre-bending sound, which is extended to the visual treatment for the latest track. With a grungy Old West set, a strong band performance and a cameo from a scene-stealing horse, it brings the music and charisma of frontman Falle Nioke to the fore while maintaining a healthy sense of humour. An enjoyable video for the band who collaborated on the concept and whose members include the director Tom Dream.

Michael Kearney directs an evocative promo for Scottish alt-pop artist Her Picture - aka singer Anny Tahaney. The video for The Ram expands on the track’s themes of vulnerability and retrospection, unfolding as a dreamy, non-linear portrait of growth and self-realisation.Set against the crisp, fragile beauty of the Scottish outdoors, the film follows Anny Tahaney through a series of intimate performance vignettes, shot by DoP Ross Imlach, moving between forest clearings, campfire solitude and a surreal and nostalgic ‘blanket fort’.Captured in a creative and cinematic way, the use of uncanny split-scene performance, lo-fi inserts and breathtaking landscape shots create something textural and otherworldly. As the track builds, so too does Anny’s presence – shifting from introspective stillness to a more liberated confidence that mirrors both artistic and personal evolution.Kearney’s direction leans into restraint and atmosphere, favouring minimalist camerawork and composed frames that allow performance to carry the emotional arc. And Tahaney’s voice, perspective and lived experience firmly at the centre of the project

Riff Raff have signed Oscar-nominated and Cannes Grand Prix-winning director Johnny Kelly for representation in the UK and US.Bringing a playful, inventive approach to every project he touches, Kelly's work spans puppetry, stop motion, illustration, and everything in between. He directed the acclaimed animated short film Retirement Plan that has captivated audiences worldwide, earning top honours at SXSW and the Palm Springs International ShortFest, and securing an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film. And Kelly also directed the stop-motion film Back To The Start for Chipotle, which won the Film Grand Prix at Cannes Lions.Kelly's other commercial work includes ads for Back Market, Telstra and Cheerios. He has also served on juries for D&AD, AICP, and British Arrows and he is a proud member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale. “I have followed Johnny's Career for many years now," says Riff Raff Joint Global Managing Partner Tracey Cooper. "I love how his work is equal parts heartbreaking and hilarious, his absolute dedication to the craft and how his DNA is apparent in every frame. Tickled pink that we now get to do more of it together."Johnny Kelly adds: “[I'm] stupidly excited I get to work alongside the superbrains at Riff Raff."I’ve a flaming blizzardof creative ambitions for my commercial work and this is the perfect place to do it. Thanks for having me Riff Raffers.”• Watch Johnny Kelly's showreel at Riff Raff here

Lambrini Girls make a deal with the Devil himself in Harv Frost's first video for the feisty Brighton punk duo. The promo for Cult of Celebrity launches the next phase in the Girls' progress with a stylish visual sensibility built around impassioned performance set-ups that put the power and songwriting front and centre - plus a vivid cameo of a Satanic creature, usually seen in striking sillhouette.It's tight and tough - the mix of clever art direction with eerie atmosphere and a good dose of surrealism create a vaguely Lynchian feel - and the theme works with the typically astute and acerbic lyrics about the price of rock 'n roll fame. A rewarding introduction to a world that Harv Frost, their new creative director, is building around the Lambrini Girls."With this video, it was about tackling a very topical and equally sensitive subject matter," she explains. "The band always use their platform and songwriting to speak on different issues, and always deliver it so eloquently. This video was about getting a little bit literal with the visuals, and bringing their words to life."On this video I collaborated with DP Jack Hamilton for the first time, which was such a dream. He brought an editorial flare to their punk energy, which really adds and elevates their visual world I think and provides a great context for the message to exist within. [It's] the first video in my creative direction and collaboration with Lambrini Girls, and I’m looking forward to further fleshing out a visual world for them."

Lewis Cater & artist Dan Smyers co-direct the affecting promo for Say So. The video follows an emotional narrative, intertwined in regret, desperation and the need to connect. Boasting powerful performances and a clever narrative structure, it's a great complement to the track. The visual for Say So contains themes of suicide and self-harm, so discretion is advised. "One message, one call, one conversation can change everything," say Lewis Cater and Dan Smyers in a statement accompanying the release of the track and video. "If you or someone you know is going through a hard time, you’re not alone. "This video was created as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is still hope. And if you need somebody, say so."