SMUGGLER

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.

shots: Tom Speers brings “The Gastronaut” to life for Waitrose with a sweeping, space-set spectacle grounded in human truth. Blending sci-fi melodrama with restrained, character-driven humor, Speers anchors the film in performance, crafting a visually bold yet intimately observed portrait of isolation and longing. Through meticulous practical set builds, careful casting, and cinematic scale, the piece shows how genre storytelling can deepen feeling without losing its sense of fun.

USA Today: Henry-Alex Rubin’s American Icons for Budweiser has topped the USA Today Ad Meter following Super Bowl LX. It marks Budweiser’s tenth Ad Meter victory and Rubin’s third consecutive Super Bowl commercial for the brand.

Campaign: Tom Speers directs Waitrose’s latest brand film, “The Gastronaut”, in collaboration with Wonderhood Studios, delivering a tongue-in-cheek sci-fi story. Leaning into the genre’s scale and language, the campaign follows an astronaut whose longing for real meals becomes impossible to ignore. It’s a playful reminder that even the furthest journey wouldn’t stop a food lover coming home for the right meal.

Deadline: Buena Vista Social Club continues its award-winning run with a 2026 Grammy Award win for Best Musical Theater Album. The honor celebrates the show’s electrifying music and musicianship, spotlighting the extraordinary artists behind its sound and further cementing its place among Broadway’s most celebrated productions.

Ad Age: Henry-Alex Rubin reunites with Budweiser in Super Bowl LX in “American Icons”, marking the brand’s 150th anniversary with a cinematic tribute to American heritage. Set to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird, the spot pairs a Clydesdale with a young bald eagle, unfolding a wordless story of trust and companionship. This continues Rubin’s long-running collaboration with Budweiser, and his third consecutive Super Bowl commercial. 

Little Black Book: Ivan Zachariáš directs a new Dos Equis film that brings the Most Interesting Man back into the spotlight. The character returns out of sync with the world, having slipped from cultural icon to the self-described “Least Most Interesting Man” after nearly a decade away. Told as the character’s first narrative spot, the film fills in the missing years and charts his return to form. 

Deadline: Chris Smith is set to direct a multi-part docuseries for Apple exploring the life and career of tennis legend Andre Agassi. Produced by Smith’s Library Films, the series will chart Agassi’s rise, fall, and resurgence, drawing on the personal revelations that made his memoir Open a landmark in sports storytelling. The project continues Smith’s run of character-driven documentaries, following recent films including Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, Wham!, and Devo.

Fast Company: Mark Molloy and the team bring the richly textured world of A Critter Carol to life through fully practical, handcrafted artistry. Blending puppetry, miniature sets, and tactile in-camera techniques, the film creates a warm, holiday universe brought to life with meticulous detail and human touch. In an era dominated by digital tools, the piece highlights the power of craft, showing how physical materials, stop-motion influences, and hands-on design shape the emotional depth of Apple’s holiday storytelling.