The CANADA director talks about his favourite things this year, enjoying life in Paris and the huge influence of an eccentric babysitter - in the latest Snapshot Q&A.

Ryan Doubiago is a Palestinian-American filmmaker who traded in his basketball for a camera while at college in the US. Now based in Paris, he creates innovative and visually arresting films steeped in emotion. 

Ryan's commercial work includes Adidas films for Paris Basketball and Predator football boots - featuring Jude Bellingham - and JBL. He co-directed a D&AD-winning music video for M83 and has recently worked once again with his old friend, US rapper Bas. He joined CANADA for worldwide representation, except in France, last year.

With our latest Snapshot Q&A we caught up with Ryan to find he is more devoted to films and filmmaking than ever - but still making time for basketball - and bringing the two things together.   

Name: Ryan Doubiago   

Birthday: Same as Muhammad Ali, Jim Carrey, James Earl Jones, Al Capone, and most importantly Betty White - but in ‘91. 

Where did you grow up? Paris and San Francisco.

Place of further education and course (if any)? Youtube University & NYU (Philosophy).

Where do you live now? Split my time between Paris and New York.

What were the important first projects for you, in terms of a learning experience and getting noticed?

After college, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I bounced between internships, but nothing clicked. Luckily, around that time, my close friend Bas started gaining attention for his music. One day, he invited me to join him on tour, so I jumped at the chance and brought along a camera I barely knew how to use. I snapped a few shots, opening the door to becoming a tour photographer for a couple of years.

That experience eventually led me to direct music videos. Those first projects were my real film school—filled with struggles and learning curves.

I’m pretty sure [the babysitter] is the reason I'm a director today.

The first project I felt truly proud of was M83’s My Tears Are Becoming a Sea, which I co-directed with Sacha Barbin. It was a real testament to our pre-production planning that we were able to get everything we needed, despite having an incredibly tight budget and a short shooting schedule.

It also served as a trial by fire, a reminder that sometimes no matter how hard you prepare there will always be unforeseen obstacles and to remain calm and persevere when things don't go exactly as planned.

Best film you’ve seen this year?  The most fun I’ve had at the movies this year was Alien: Romulus. Fede Alvarez did an incredible job and I loved seeing the masterful use of practical effects in the film. 

I also have to mention Savanah Leaf’s insanely good debut film Earth Mama. I was blown away by how she managed to tell such a powerful and moving story with such minimal coverage. It felt radical and inspiring!

Favourite song/album/music artist this year? Saya Gray’s QWERTY II & BAS’s We only talk about real shit when we’re fucked up. 

Favourite music video/videos you’ve seen this year? I loved FONTAINES D.C.’s Starburster, directed by Aube Perrie. There’s an edginess and a playfulness to the video that works so well with the track. It's a kind of meta take on “the world of music videos,” but it still manages to be completely original.

I know my work always turns out better when I have the time to dream a little.

What has been (or usually is) your favourite night out this year? I always love “Fête de la musique” in Paris. The whole city becomes a party with bands and DJs set up on every street corner. 

Name a film or video or other creative work that had a huge influence on your career choice? When I was 6 years old my 60ish year old babysitter showed me The Shining and Terminator II on the same night. Unfortunately, my parents fired her. But I’m pretty sure she’s the reason I'm a director today.

In college, Dogtooth by Yorgos Lanthimos had a massive impact on me. It combined a unique blend of existential horror and humour in a way I had never seen before.

When it comes to music videos, Jonathan Glazer’s UNKLE’s Rabbit In Your Headlights, featuring Thom Yorke had a huge impact. It’s the kind of narrative concept that still inspires me today. I love how simple the idea is and how patiently the story unfolds, slowly building tension all the way up to one of the greatest music video endings ever!

In terms of music video-related jobs of the past year or so - what was the most rewarding creatively, and why? 

I owe a lot to Bas for my early opportunities. Now, over a decade later, we’re still working together, with the latest being his lead single Diamonds, from his last album. 

Bas and I have built a strong trust over the years, so a lot of our ideas come naturally from conversations about his music, life, and what we’re going through. For this project, he wanted visuals that not only fit the song but also captured the album’s broader themes - especially the growing need for escapism and its hidden pitfalls.

What are your favourite other (non-mv) projects of the past year or so?

Probably the one I’m currently working on. It's a kind of love letter to an outdoor basketball court in Paris that I discovered when I moved back in 2016. Over the years it’s become a very close-knit community of eccentrics. And it’s recently gained international prominence due to social media. Shoutout le 144!

Most annoying/irksome thing that’s been going on this year (work-related or otherwise)? Western media coverage on the ongoing genocide in Gaza. 

Your top suggestion to change and improve how the music video industry works? Mentioning budgets is an obvious choice, but I would also advise labels and artist managers at the very least to allow more time for developing ideas. Often, you’ll receive a brief and be expected to submit a pitch within two days. Personally, I know my work always turns out better when I have the time to dream a little.

What are you looking forward to most for the rest of the year? After living in Paris for eight years, I finally got around to signing up for an unlimited movie pass for all the cinemas. I’ve never felt such POWER.

• Ryan Doubiago is a director with CANADA, represented for music videos in the UK by Hands. Check out his work here