Video for Young Fathers’ track “Toy” by New York City-based director Salomon Ligthelm (previously featured here). Shot in 35mm, Ligthelm drew inspiration from an image of Kim Jong Un in a crib playing with his toys. As he explains:

“The tone of the track is so visceral and abrasive, which I think marries the political subject matter perfectly and I honestly just really like the idea of seeing dictators behaving like spoilt little children – pissed with the world, because things aren’t going their way. Looking at the political climate of our time, I’d say truth is certainly stranger than fiction.”

You can also check out more videos from Young Fathers, previously featured here, if you haven’t already!

A young couple struggles to navigate a dream-like world in this beautiful video for Elliot Moss’s track “99” by Paris-based director Masaki Shimeno. Featuring more stunning work from cinematographer Kaname Onoyama (previously featured here), and strong performances by Romain Frélier-borda and French model Chloé Lobre (who you might recognize from this recent post). See full credits below.

Directed by Masaki Shimeno
Starring: Romain Frélier-borda, Chloé Lobre
Producer: Maximilien rivolet, Martin Revol
Director of Photography: Kaname Onoyama
Production Director: Nicolas Beauvallet
AC: Sylvain Chaux
AD: Antoine Poulet
Editor: Cyril Besnard
Colorist: Ricky Gausis
Visual Effects: Loris Paillier
Production Company: Fury.tv
Production Executive: Comrade Film Iceland

This is just one of the many exciting submissions we’ve received over the past week. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

A beautifully shot portrait of modern-day Samurai Jason Nip by Toronto-based Lossless Creative. Sensei at the only dojo in North America to teach Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu — a classical style of swordsmanship founded by one of the greatest martial artists in Japanese history, Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645).

A gorgeous short film for Nigerian-born, London based artist Vicktor Taiwó’s four-song visual album by Los Angeles-based director Kevin Clark. Cinematography by Ben Mullen.

A fantastic concept by Los Angeles-based director and photographer Lachlan Turczan. Filmed in Da’ning Lingshi Park during this year’s Tulip Festival, Lachlan woke up at 6am everyday for 2 weeks in order to document the morning routines of the Shanghainese — which he then set to Monster Rally’s track “Let’s Go Faraway.” As Lachlan describes:

“It seemed that spring had just sprung in Shanghai and the whole city was taking advantage of the great weather. Everyone was incredibly gracious and open to sharing their practice with me.”

This video was submitted by Lachlan Turczan and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

Love this video for Threebed’s track “Better” by director Levi Cranston from Brisbane, Australia. Featuring lots of stylish shots filled with unexpected emotion, Cranston strives to, in his words, “represent the feeling and weight of uncertainty through images, and what it’s like to finally overcome it.”

A seemingly mundane autobody shop dabbles in car parts, dance breaks and a mysterious green liquid in this great video by director Cooper Kenward for Meernaa’s track “Wildest Eyes.”

Directed & Edited by Cooper Kenward
Producer: Heron Bourke
Director of Photography: David Bourke
1st AC: Walter Dandy
2nd AC: Samar Kauss
Gaffer: Austin Michaels
Best Boy Electric: Ben Bowen
Key Grip – Tim Otholt
Best Boy Grip: Valentin Salembier
Hair & Makeup: Kris Jung
Choreography: Natalie Warner
Dancers: Natalie Warner, Derion Loman, Tina Ford, Mia Orozco
Mechanics: Roy Allen, Avi Garg
PA: Eric Bach
Special Thanks: Advance Auto Care in Glendale, CA

This is just one of many wonderful submissions we’ve received over the past week. Consider participating here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

Australian director Nabil channels retro kung fu movies in this video for SZA’s track “Doves In The Wind,” featuring Kendrick Lamar.

Darkly funny video for Father John Misty’s track “Mr. Tillman.” Co-directed by Jeff Desom and Carlos Lopez Estrada (previously featured here).

A touching portrait from New York City-based Lonelyleap, “King of the Night” follows Imad Khachan, proprietor of Chess Forum — one of the last remaining chess shops in the city. Acting as much as a community centre or halfway-house as a business, Imad welcomes chess players from all walks of life, including many who have nowhere else to go.

Churches beautifully navigates a violently apocalyptic scene in the video for “Miracle” by director Warren Fu (previously featured here).

The full length (e)motion picture accompaniment to Janelle Monáe’s latest album, Dirty Computer, strings together music videos directed by Alan Ferguson, Emma Westenberg, Andrew Donoho and Lacey Duke into an elaborate sci-fi saga that reflects both Monáe’s personal exploration of identity and broader celebration of nonconformity.

Starring
Janelle Monáe as Jane 57821
Tessa Thompson as Zen
Jayson Aaron as Ché

Also Starring
Michelle Hart as Virgin Victoria
Dyson Posey as Cleaner #1
Jonah Lee as Cleaner #2

Executive Producer:
Janelle Monáe
Nate “Rocket” Wonder
Chuck Lightning
Mikael Moore
Julie Greenwald

Co-Executive Producer:
Kelli Andrews
Ian Blair
Alan Ferguson

Director: Andrew Donoho, Chuck Lightning
Writer: Chuck Lightning
Additional Story Ideas and Vision:
Janelle Monáe
Nate “Rocket” Wonder
Alan Ferguson

Music Videos Written and Directed by
Alan Ferguson
Emma Westenberg
Andrew Donoho
Lacey Duke

Producer: Nicole Acacio, Ian Blair
Associate Producer: Deonna Young-Stephens

Music Videos Produced by
Justin Benoliel
Judy Craig
Melissa Ekholm
Maya Table
Ian Blair

Original Music Score: Nate “Rocket Wonder, Wynne Bennett
Wardrobe: Alexandra Mandalkorn
Hair: Nikki Nelms
Makeup by: Jessica Smalls
Director of Photography: Todd Banhazl
Production Design: Fernanda Guerrero
Editor: Andrew Donoho, Taylor Brusky
Music Video Editor: Deji LaRay
Choreography: Jemel McWilliams
Sound Design: Jackie! Zhou

Click here to see previous posts from Janelle Monáe’s work here, if you haven’t already!