Greg is an award winning commercials and film director who has worked on brands such as Volkswagen, Standard Bank, Virgin Money, Ford, Klipdrift, ABSA and National Geographic. His short films have traveled the world and have won illustrious festival awards. He is a talented storyteller and performance director but also possesses the rare ability to work in many genres. From comedy to strong visual narratives, Greg brings a unique insight to every project. His forte is creating bold unpredictable narratives that make you laugh and then wake you up at 2 in the morning with a peculiar feeling in the pit of your stomach.
Samantha Nell is a filmmaker whose work has been filmed and showcased at festivals across four continents. Samantha is known for her discernible voice which oscillates between comedy and tragedy and sometimes both at the same time. She possesses a strong eye for performances and a distinct visual aesthetic.
Director, filmmaker and cartoonist Jono Hall is a visual stylist who has a versatile approach to considered and engaging storytelling. His strong narrative skills have established him as a seasoned director who has achieved notable creative success. He is an outstanding performance director with experience in award-winning commercial work as well as long form filmmaking. His first television series has recently been optioned for development by an international studio.
Gorgeous Bushman is a natural storyteller, versed in multiple mediums, from filmmaking, to creative direction, to podcasting, and image-making. He is on the hunt to explore the points of view of others and deliver empathetic narratives that remind us not just of what makes us unique, but of the things that bind us together.
Greg Rom
- Winner – 2014 CLIO Music Film Award
- Winner – SA Film Reel | Best of Reel Directing Craft September 2016 | Noodles
- Winner – 2016 Jameson INDIEChannel Music Video Grant
‘NOODLES’ Short Film Screening information
- ShortShorts Film Festival and Asia 2016 – Official Selection International Competition
- New York City Shorts Film Festival 2016 – Official Selection
‘LOOT’ Short Film Awards and Screening information
- ShortShorts Film Festival and Asia 2013 – Official Selection International Competition. Winner Moet Star Award
- New York City Shorts Film Festival 2012 – Official Selection. Audience Award Winner
- One Screen Film Festival 2012 – Official Selection. Best Narrative Film Award Winner
- Bumbershoot 1Reel Film Festival 2013 – Official Selection International Competition. Winner Best Narrative Film
- Festival International De Films Indépendants Genève 2014 – Official Selection. Children’s Prize
- Love Your Shorts Film Festival 2014 – Official Selection. Winner Best Directing.
- Reggio Film Festival 2014 – Official Selection. Audience Award Winner
- Port Townsend Film Festival 2014 – Official Selection. Winner Outstanding Live Action Comedy Short
- African, Asian and Latin American Film Festival 2013 – Official Selection Best African Short. Special Mention
- Seattle International Film Festival 2013 – Official Selection
- St. Louis International Film Festival 2012 – Official Selection
- Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival 2013 – Official Selection Young Audience Program
- South African Film and Television Awards 2013 – Best Short Film Nomination
- Garden State Film Festival 2013 – Official Selection – International Competition
- Baghdad International Film Festival 2013 – Official Selection
- Aspen Shortsfest 2013 – Official Selection International Competition
- Gulf Film Festival 2013 – Official Selection Intersections
- Seattle International Film Festival 2013 – Official Selection
- Détours en Cinécourt Saint Genies Bellevue 2013 – Official Selection Plein Air
- International Short Film Festival of Cyprus 2013 – Official Selection
- DC Shorts Film Festival 2013 – Official Selection – International Competition
Travys Owen
International Photographic Highlights:
- Fader Magazine (NYC) Davido cover
- Hunger Magazine (UK)
- Honore Magazine (Sweden) Esther Mahlangu
- ID Magazine
- FGUK Magazine (UK)
- Vogue Italia
JOHANNESBURG OFFICE
1st Floor
382 Jan Smuts Avenue
Craighall Park
Johannesburg, Gauteng
2024
Talk to us:
Sanra Broekman
+27 83 441 7382
sanra@gentlemenfilms.co.za
Awarded by IDIDTHAT
Makro ‘Mood’
Gentlemen Films | Greg Rom
December 2023
AWARDED: BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Bruno Bossi, Director at Carbon Films
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Jacquie Mullany, ECD at FCB Africa
Bruno’s comment: ‘This spot put me in exactly the right mood. The mood that makes other moods look moody. Every moment is perfectly crafted without being gratuitous unless gratuitous is the mood you’re in. Apart from being a bit of a category changer (Makro!) this piece entertains from start to finish. No doubt because every wardrobe choice, every transition, every lens choice and every piece of post-production keeps the mood going. It’s well-written, expertly directed and perfectly edited. The casting and performances are great, the approach is fresh and there should be more of this work around. Having a great agency, client & director collaboration is critical to producing this kind of work. But you have to have the right versions of all of the above, and did I mention having the right director. So basically Greg, well done!’
Jacquie’s comment: ‘The energy was palpable with every scene, keeping us intrigued as to what is going to spring up next. Great directing brought this ad to life!’
AWARDED: BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)
Gentlemen Films | Greg Rom
Flying Fish ‘Long Face’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Tebogo Malope, Director at The Star Film Company
April 2023
Tebogo’s comment: ‘This month has had some incredible spots, so judging was particularly difficult. However, this spot stood out for me as it ticked many craft boxes, every medium used was executed in the highest level. The intricate balance of multi-media the director struck with a surprising twist in every scene and well crafted sound design makes this spot my favourite, well done Greg Rom and all the technicians involved.’
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Gentlemen Films | Jono Hall
Budget Insurance ‘Bad Things Happen to Good South Africans – Archie’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Mark Middlewick, Director at First Pencil
February 2023
Mark’s comment: ‘This is a fun brief and shout out to Jono for executing it with a deft touch. There’s a classic elegance to the direction that doesn’t try too hard to make me laugh. At the same time, the performances are beautifully understated, with Jono trusting the medium itself to deliver the comedy. High five Jono.’
AWARDED: BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)
Gentlemen Films | Greg Rom
Mercedes Benz ‘Trust Your Gut’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Neo Segola, Chief Creative Officer at Draftline JNB
July 2021
Neo’s comment: ‘What an intriguing and watchable little campaign! The shot selections, as well as the information packed into each one, tell so much of the story and provoke the right emotions. Each shot is playfully yet expertly considered, curated and composed, resulting in a level of cinematic storytelling that does not need dialogue and frills to fill in the gaps – because the director’s visual storytelling leaves nothing out. Adding to its watchability is its multi-layered storytelling. Every time you watch each individual piece, you discover something different. What makes it a visually strong campaign is how the composition of each shot contributes meaningfully to the narrative. From the depth of each shot to the camera’s position, nothing is wasted and nothing is superfluous. Even though the shots are often static or have slow tracking, the movement is deliberate in its intentions; inviting you to engage but leaving you feeling uneasy! Yet another strong element in this treatment is the colour palette. At first glance, it is bright and colourful and optimistic. On closer inspection, it communicates something insidious that lies beneath. The result? You smile at the commercials’ comical nature but are left uneasy by…something. Very clever! I’m definitely fan-girling for this entry. Well done!’
AWARDED: BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)
Gentlemen Films | Greg Rom
Short Film ‘Loot’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Karien Cherry, Director at Giant Films
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Molefi Thulo, ECD at Ogilvy Joburg
May 2020
AWARDED: BEST IN CRAFT (WRITING/SCREENWRITING)
Gentlemen Films | Greg Rom & Evy Katz
Short Film ‘Loot’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Molefi Thulo, ECD at Ogilvy Joburg
May 2020
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (WRITING/SCREENWRITING)
Gentlemen Films | Greg Rom & Evy Katz
Short Film ‘Loot’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Karien Cherry, Director at Giant Films
May 2020
Karien’s comment: “Time is a great indicator of a piece of work’s craft value. Despite the fact that this film isn’t timely or relevant or new or edgy, Greg’s deft handling of the leads’ performances earns him my Direction Craft Best this month. A tonally sure-footed short with solid storytelling, it entertained me all the way through. Special mention to the sound treatment which brings this imaginative story to life. Congratulations.”
“You can’t make a good film without a good script. Well done to Greg and Evy for developing this offbeat idea into a story that keeps surprising us. Good old storytelling gets a well deserved Special Mention.”
Molefi’s comment: “This short film is another great example of how to engage your audience from start to finish. And in my opinion it also follows one of the most important rules when it comes to drawing viewers in, it engages the imagination. It offers up visual suggestions and your mind fills in the blanks. Though it’s set in a bank, a scene most of us are familiar with thanks to countless movies, the creators have given it a twist that makes this piece mesmerizing and rewarding all the way to the end. Add the charming performances and I was won over by this film. Congratulations to Greg Rom and Evy Katz.”
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Gentlemen Films | Greg Rom
Virgin Insurance ‘I Love Insurance’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Graeme Jenner, Executive Creative Director at King James II
October 2016
Judges Comment: “You know whats my worst? Crowd participation. Like in live shows when they point into the crowd and ask you to come up on stage and get involved. That’s partly the reason that I don’t like theatre in general. I went to Grahamstown once and it really wasn’t for me. My mate fell in a ditch and someone stole his Air Max’s off his feet. Who does that? Also, I was late for a performance (cos I had to piggy back my mate whose foot was buggered from falling in the ditch and then walking home lank far with no shoes on) and we had to sit in the front row and then the lights went down and a naked white dude ran on stage with a buck skull over his face and shouted “AFFFRRRIIICCCCAAAAA” and then splashed blood all over his penis. Fuck sakes man. Then I got straight back up and had to piggy back my mate out again. So yeah, I don’t really like theatre at all, including musicals. But I don’t mind this ad. In fact, I had to watch it to the end more than once because it was in a few categories and I was totally happy to do that. So yeah, that’s a good thing. Nice one.”
AWARDED: BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)
Gentlemen Films | Greg Rom
‘Noodles’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Suhana Gordhan, Creative Director at FCB Johannesburg
September 2016
Judges Comment: “You know you’ve watched something good when it changes something in your world. And what “Noodles” by Greg Rom of Gentlemen Films changed for me is the way I will approach a bowl of noodles for the rest of my noodle eating time on this planet. “Oh my God, I’m going to eat the gushy, evil tears of a depressed woman,” I will think, as I slurp up those stringy, sticky bits of yum that slap my cheeks on either side. “Noodles” is a bit of bizarre and dark and funny and poignant and that’s why I love it. Greg Rom’s picture manages to capture the strangest, yet most provocative angle on our emotions and the sick way we indulge them. He tells without over telling and rewards without giving you everything at once. It’s Ew. And Wow. And that’s what a good piece of film needs – your own emotions to have it out and leave you feeling a little weird and wooed at the same time.”
Featured Work
IDIDTHAT Editorial
Director Gorgeous Bushman brings a curious mind to Gentlemen Films
To meet Bathandwa Ngwendu a.k.a. ‘Gorgeous Bushman’ is to be reminded that the world is a vast place full of things to be discovered. He has a unique, open, and curious point of view that he brings not just to his work, but to every interaction. His move to Johannesburg has found him a permanent home at Gentlemen Films, where his intimate storytelling approach meets the vast experience of the team.
Director Jono Hall’s debut film signals the levelling up of a bold visual storyteller
Gentlemen Films director Jono Hall’s debut film ‘Awake’ is a bold and captivating emotional experience that lingers in your memory and behind your eyelids long after you’ve watched it. Breaking free from the constraints of the commercials world, ‘Awake’ serves as a testament to Jono’s ever-expanding talent at creating striking work that is classy and restrained, yet still able to deliver utterly unexpected and attention-grabbing moments. It is a meticulously crafted film made by a confident visual storyteller who shows every indication of levelling-up in his career. Hell yeah!
Samantha Nell, making her mark in performance directing
Gentlemen Films director, Samantha Nell, has quickly made a name for herself as a strong performance director with a talent for storytelling. Her reel showcases stand-out work in both comedy and drama, often combining the two, and has seen her directing some of the most renowned and respected actors in South Africa, in commercials and now in her debut feature film for Netflix. We caught up with the Gentlemen Films director about her rise in the industry.