Lawrence Jacomelli

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Lawrence Jacomelli
Lawrence Jacomelli.jpg
Born (1974-01-14) January 14, 1974 (age 51)
Alma mater University of the West of England
Occupations
Years active2005–present

Lawrence Jacomelli (born 14 January 1974) is an English filmmaker. Known for his work in advertising and branded content, he has directed campaigns for major global brands. In 2024, he made his feature-film debut with Blood Star , a tense, character-driven road thriller that marked his transition into narrative filmmaking. The film premiered at the 2024 Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival and later screened at Grimmfest and the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival.

Contents

Career

Jacomelli directed his first television commercial in 2002, an IKEA spot that received a Cannes Lions shortlist nomination and a bronze Epica Award. [1] [2] His breakthrough came in 2004 with Precious, a Lord of the Rings parody for Pot Noodle that he wrote, produced and directed. The spot earned him Best Director at the Viral Awards in London and New York and led to a shortlist nomination for the CFP-E Young Director Award at Cannes Lions. His commercial work includes campaigns for brands such as British Airways, Pepsi, Persil, Toyota, Chevrolet, Lexus, Orange, T-Mobile, Tuborg, Carlsberg, Vanity Fair, McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Swatch. [2]

In 2014, Jacomelli and creative director Victoria Taylor co-founded Beast Films, a production company and creative agency based in Haggerston, London. [3] The company became known for cinematic commercial storytelling, producing award-winning work for clients including Cambridge Audio, Burger King, Goodman Masson, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Herbalife and Voltaren. In 2019, Jacomelli directed a commercial for Simba Sleep as part of the brand's Try for 8 campaign promoting rest and recovery ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, featuring Saracens F.C. and England captain Maro Itoje. [4] [5]

In 2023, Jacomelli and Taylor founded Fastback Films, a sister company to Beast dedicated to long-form narrative production. Its first project was Blood Star , Jacomelli's feature debut as writer, producer and director, filmed over ten days in the California desert, starring John Schwab and Britni Camacho. [6]

Filmography

Feature films

YearTitleDistributors
2024 Blood Star Quiver Distribution, Plaion

Selected commercials

Accolades

AwardYearCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2002Go Uncubic (IKEA)Shortlist
2006Hide and Seek (ANDCP)Shortlist
2009Girls Night Out (121.ro)Shortlist
2010Commentator (Voltaren)Shortlist
2011Earthquake (Multiple Sclerosis)Shortlist
2018Acquisition & RetentionWhopper No Show (Burger King)Bronze [7] [8]
Dubai Lynx Awards2008Cars & Automotive ServicesThe Mime (Chevrolet)Silver [9] [10]
New York & London Viral Awards2004Best DirectionPrecious (Pot Noodle)Won
Epica Awards 2002Home, Furnishings & AppliancesGo Uncubic (IKEA)Bronze [11]
Eurobest Awards2009Best Use of Film DirectionGirls Night Out (121.ro)Bronze [12]
Golden Drum Awards 2010Health & BeautyCommentator (Voltaren)Silver [13]
2018Whopper No Show (Burger King)Silver [7]

References

  1. "IKEA - "Go Uncubic" by Epica Awards 2002". AdForum. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Lawrence Jacomelli, Director". Best Ads on TV. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  3. Molloy, Tim (November 23, 2024). "In Blood Star, Grindhouse Meets Arthouse on Desert Roads". MovieMaker. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  4. Carl (July 23, 2019). "Simba launches 'national sleep campaign' with rugby star Maro Itoje – Prolific London". Prolific London. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  5. "Simba TryFor8 Maro Itoje 2020". Beast. July 24, 2019.
  6. White, George (November 25, 2025). "Lawrence Jacomelli and Victoria Taylor / Blood Star". British Cinematographer. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Whopper No Show". Romi&Gabe. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  8. "Cannes Lions Direct Winners & Shortlists". The Work. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  9. "Chevrolet Caprice Ss: "Mime" Film by Leo Burnett Dubai - AdsSpot Advertising Archive". Adsspot. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  10. "2008 Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity Award Winners". AdForum. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  11. "2002 Epica Awards Award Winners". AdForum. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  12. "2009 Eurobest Award Winners". AdForum.
  13. "Победители в номинации Film - Golden Drum 2010 - Sostav.ru". www.sostav.ru. Retrieved November 27, 2025.