A world-class specialist in food, liquids, and beauty brings her international experience to South Africa by joining the Carbon Films team. Kristy Snell is known for her bright, highly technical work in Tabletop directing. She brings years of international experience and a body of big brand work that turns everyday products, from burgers to beauty serums, into moments of pure joy.

For the past 8 years, South African Kristy has been directing at Amsterdam’s renowned Chuck Studios, where she specialised in high-end food and liquids. She’s now bringing that expertise to South Africa’s commercial market. Can we get a hell yeah!

Kristy’s aesthetic leans into colour, vibrancy, and really satisfying visuals, not surprising considering her passion for food and design. “Food is my favourite thing. I like to eat it, style it, film it, and make it look extraordinary.”

Whether she’s choreographing a swimming banana, capturing liquids in slow-motion ballet, or transforming beauty products into visual art, Kristy’s work is precise, visually arresting, and built on years of technical expertise. Apart from the craft, it’s her understanding of storytelling, performance, and how to bring brands to life that sets her apart.

Kristy began her career as a food stylist, building her portfolio from scratch and sharpening the eye for detail that’s so clear in her work today. Time on set sparked her interest in directing and bringing food to life through movement, colour, and design, leading her to carve out a path in the specialised world of Tabletop filmmaking. She honed her craft at Chuck Studios in Amsterdam, where she became Creative Director and worked with some of Europe’s biggest brands.

Now, after nearly a decade abroad, she brings that expertise home to South Africa.

While food and liquids remain a core focus, Kristy is equally passionate about beauty. “Beauty and food are linked, both are made of ingredients, both require considered, striking visuals to make them desirable. The challenge is the same: take the familiar and make it surprising.”

Bruno Bossi, Partner and Director at Carbon says, “Kristy’s work is highly considered, highly crafted, and it turns the everyday into something memorable. We’re thrilled to have her on board and excited to see this calibre of specialised talent available locally.”

Carbon’s Executive Producer and Partner Kirsten Clarence says Kristy’s signing fills a long-standing gap in the South African industry: “We desperately need more of this kind of specialist skillset, but until now, there haven’t been a lot of options available locally at this level of Tabletop directing. Kristy brings the creativity, precision, and experience that brands are looking for. It’s not only about capturing beautiful food, it’s about crafting movement, energy, and desire through technical expertise.”

GIFs from Kristy’s work for Allora and Beyti

For Carbon, Kristy’s signing is part of a broader move to offer the market more specialised craft, locally. “There’s a huge opportunity here,” adds Kristy. “South Africa has incredible creative talent, but Tabletop hasn’t really been explored locally to its full potential. I’m looking forward to working with brands and agencies who are ready to push that.”

Wanna (s)talk some more? Carbon Films on IDIDTHAT and company website.