SMUGGLER

Ad Age: Ivan Zachariáš returns to Apple with “Clingers,” a surreal and sharply controlled take on the invisible world of online tracking. Through cinematic unease, precise absurdity, and deadpan humor, the film turns web trackers into silver-suited followers who shadow people through everyday life, making the threat impossible to ignore.

Little Black Book: Mark Molloy directs “Time to Fly” for OpenAI, creating a world that feels distinctly human and tactile. Built with practical sets, in-camera effects, and large-scale gimbals, the film keeps its heightened concept grounded and authentic.

Little Black Book: Mark Molloy discusses directing adidas’ “Backyard Legends,” a 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign that turns the neighborhood soccer game into legend. In conversation with Tom Loudon, he reflects on the campaign’s evolution from a short-form spot to a five-minute film, his collaboration with Timothée Chalamet, and the cinematic ambition behind the work.

The Hollywood Reporter: Paweł Pawlikowski presents Fatherland following its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, where he won Best Director. Starring Sandra Hüller and Hanns Zischler, the film follows Thomas Mann and his daughter Erika on an emotional journey through a divided postwar Germany.

Little Black Book: Michelob ULTRA’s “The Superior Match” for BBDO brings the energy of the FIFA World Cup 2026 into an unexpected hotel lobby showdown. Featuring Lionel Messi, Christian Pulisic, Alex Morgan, Billy Bob Thornton, and a lineup of global soccer icons, the spot blends cinematic scale, precise timing, and dynamic choreography to capture the movement and intensity of the match without losing its comedic edge. 

Ad Age: rubberband. directs Apple’s “Mac Students,” following the creative process behind turning ideas into reality. Created with TBWA\Media Arts Lab and set to Willow Kayne’s “I’ve Got This All Under Control,” the spot uses pacing, performance, and restless visual rhythm to capture the pressure and momentum of work taking shape.

Vogue: With Girl, Interrupted in previews at The Public Theater, the cast and creative team reflect on bringing Susanna Kaysen’s story to the stage. The piece explores the production’s use of music, memory, and ensemble performance to enter the inner world of McLean Hospital, while highlighting Juliana Canfield’s Susanna and King Princess’s Lisa as part of a new generation’s encounter with the material.

Little Black Book: Björn Rühmann directs “Opinionators” for Apple, a cinematic, humorous take on the constant flood of health advice and competing opinions. With wry control and precise absurdity, the film positions Apple Watch as a grounding presence, helping users cut through the chatter and return to their own wellbeing.

Ad Age: Mark Molloy brings “Best Friends” to life for Publix and Fig, building a puppet world steeped in tactile detail and character. The film pairs handcrafted charm with Molloy’s emotional precision, turning a playful neighborhood story into something that feels both imaginative and deeply human.