David Stubbs
A storyteller with an eye for the uncomfortable truths in everyday life, David has moved between directing music videos, television commercials and drama in a career that’s been eclectic and highly accomplished.
David’s first short film Running for Empties was produced out of the National film Unit. The film was marketed at MIP-com in Cannes and sold to numerous overseas territories. In the late 90s, David’s first 35mm theatrical short, the bizarre and twisted drama Helmut & Gretel, enjoyed success on the European film festival circuit and won Best Director at the Diva Awards.
David set up Krafthaus Films in 2002 after he’d spent a number of years directing TVCs and visual effects projects for Sector 14 Productions in Wellington and helming a broadcasting project for UNICEF in Beijing. Krafthaus is now one of the biggest and busiest production houses in Wellington, with an award winning team and numerous high profile projects under its belt. David has directed many celebrated large budget TVCs and has featured as a Director on the prestigious UK Shots Reel.
In recent years he has also directed several music Videos for Sony Music and Universal Music and was a finalist for best director in the 2003 and 2004 New Zealand Music Video Awards. In 2008 David completed the 35mm theatrical short The Handover, a dramatically ambitious contemporary drama about a man who can’t let go or move on after a failed relationship. The Handover had its world premiere screening in competition at the 2009 Chicago International Film Festival.