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JoelKefali

  • Director
Joel-Kefali-profile-image.jpg

Unitec design graduate Joel Kefali has made music videos for everyone from Lorde to Katy Perry, and scored a run of awards in the process. Kefali honed his many skills during a seven year partnership with Campbell Hooper. Calling themselves Special Problems, the duo created distinctive videos for The Mint Chicks and The Naked and Famous, and expanded into shorts and adverts — including an animated HP promo with singer Alicia Keys. Kefali's video for Lorde's single 'Royals' fuelled many invitations to work in the United States. In 2020 he directed a high profile Kiwi tourism campaign featuring Madeleine Sami and Jacki van Beek. 

Screenography

Secrets from a Girl (Who's Seen it All)
2022 Co-Director Music video
Do Something New, New Zealand - Tourism New Zealand
2020 Director Commercial
Slice of Heaven Japanese Style - Steinlager Tokyo Dry
2019 Director Commercial
Close Your Rings - Apple Watch
2019 Director Commercial
Jeans - Toyota Corolla
2018 Director Commercial

Awards

2017 New Zealand Music Awards
Best Music Video: Got it Bad 

2013 Rialto Channel NZ Film Awards (The Moas)
Best Short Film Script (shared with Campbell Hooper): Echoes

“From the start, we weren’t in it for the money, but the imperative to stay afloat did mean we did a lot of them. Now, we just see it as being an enjoyable break from our other work.”

— Joel Kefali on making music videos with Campbell Hooper, NZ Musician, December 2012