SMUGGLER

Ad Age: Mark Molloy’s “Backyard Legends” launches adidas’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign by turning the neighborhood soccer game into legend. Mixing street football culture with a star-studded lineup, the film brings together Timothée Chalamet and a roster of football greats in a story about an undefeated local team.

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.

Ad Age: ChatGPT’s debut brand campaign “Everyday Possibilities,” directed by Miles Jay and created with Isle of Any, was recognized by Ad Age as Campaign of the Year. Across a series of cinematic 35mm films, Jay brings everyday ChatGPT prompts to life through quiet, human vignettes.

MUSE Magazine: Francisco Cantón reflects on his photobook Axolotl, a seven-year visual diary shaped by movement, identity, and the space between stillness and transformation. In conversation with Benedetta de Martino for Muse Magazine, he explores how his practice moves between cinema and photography, using sequencing and juxtaposition to create images that feel both intimate and otherworldly.

Teeth Magazine: rubberband. reflects on their trilogy of music videos for Fred again..’s USB singles: “HARDSTYLE 2,” “scared,” and “Lights Burn Dimmer.” Expanding fleeting moments into extended cinematic sequences, the films follow a single night unfolding through heightened detail and emotional nuance. In conversation with Teeth, the directing duo reflect on how each film required a distinct technical approach while remaining connected through a shared emotional progression.