Astrid Salomon has always been interested in the essence of what connects people. The complicated truths we don’t say out loud. Her focus is intimate, carefully exploring the things that exist between people: the bond, the tension, the invisible story. Her work is influenced by her fashion background and characterised by her expressive visual style while the human experience is the core, whether in performance or pure emotion. As a director, she always looking for that honest spark.

Truce Films | Astrid Salomon

Bill Irving sees expression everywhere – from poetry stages to the football field. As a filmmaker, he always finds grace and humanity, no matter the story. His talents have been sought by global brands and Australia’s largest sporting codes. Outside the commercial sphere, he’s cast his lens on some heavy themes: WATAN documented the toll of the Syrian refugee crisis; THE YEAR IS 2020 harnessed performance poetry to examine Australia’s own refugee policies, reflecting Bill’s drive to tell stories with impact.

Truce Films | Bill Irving

Jeff Johnson cut his filmmaking teeth on the road – shooting everything from major music festivals to gigs in Norwegian living rooms. He’s also taken out Rolling Stone’s Music Video of the Year and lent his talents to impactful Pride campaigns for Levi’s and Respect Victoria. Jeff likes his visuals bold and his performances fun. He’s also a supreme collaborator and knows how to make anyone comfortable. Basically, he’s one of those people the phrase ‘good human’ was invented for.

Truce Films | Jeff Johnson

For Jess Lawton directing is really about listening. And making space for people who don’t fit the mould. As a writer and a director, some days, Jess is at her desk, writing and gazing out the window; others, she’s on set, confidently directing talent. She’s good at it too! In her creative work, Jess likes to reshape the realms of narrative and doco and take cues from youth counterculture and New Journalism. It’s taken her to Locarno, Tribeca, Palm Springs, and Toronto amongst many others. Ultimately, she’ll take fact and/or fiction – just as long as there’s empathy.

Truce Films | Jess Lawton

Truce Films | Josh Dawson

Josh Dawson started experimenting with film when blowing up Lego pieces with matchstick heads. He was six. These days, you’ll find him behind the camera or raiding the local hardware store for his next puppet build. With 3D/2D VFX talents in his toolbox, Josh’s commercial and creative work treads the line between surreal and poignant and all his characters have personality – even if they’re a crash test dummy, a sponge, or a plastic bag. He reckons it all goes back to REN & STIMPY, really.

Truce Films | Nicholas Clifford

Nicholas Clifford knows how to craft a killer gag. He’s lent his natural funny bones to spots for Head & Shoulders, Isuzu, and Tradie Workwear. His campaigns for Metamucil nabbed London International (LIA), Global, Prime, and Effie awards. In all seriousness though, it’s not just about comedy. He’s an award-winning writer and director. He won Tropfest with the drama WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE, and he won the AWG award for best short screenplay for THE HANDYMAN which screened at more than 50 festivals around the world taking out numerous best director and best short film awards.

Truce Films | Prad Sen

Prad Sen loves to set a mood. Whether he’s making you dinner or shooting a music video, it’s all about flirting with the senses. His sumptuous work for Australian music heavy hitters (think: The Avalanches, Paul Kelly, Montaigne, Vance Joy) translates to commercial work that’s daring, lush, and very human. Playful and heartfelt, he loves crafting stories of both earnest emotion as well as absurdist humour and to explore the liminal spaces that lie between them.

Truce Films | Thomas Charles Hyland

Thomas Charles Hyland is a storyteller at heart. Whether he’s writing a screenplay or directing a film, it's all about making the audience feel something. His commercial work is bold and considered. Both playful and sincere. Its the kind of work you seek out and share with others. He takes delight in creating narratives infused with both profound emotion and whimsical humour, and enjoys traversing the blurred boundaries that lie between them.

Truce Films | Tim Potter

Tim Potter got into stand-up on a dare – and discovered he loved performing. Directing came later – but he loved that too. Still does. Across narrative and commercial, his characters are equal parts funny, sweet, sad, innocent, and dark. Tim’s commercial work has been recognised at the London International Awards and Adstars, directing spots for the likes of ANZ, Nissan, Baker’s Delight, Beyond Blue, and Sorbent. His serious acting chops give him a perspective and natural ability to connect with talent on a different level, and it shows in the nuance performances of his characters. He’s an absolute weapon.

Directors