Before leaving film school, Dean Blumberg had already established himself as one of the new voices of South African Film. He wrote and directed a number of award winning short films and, after multiple festival wins, became one of South Africa’s most awarded filmmakers.
His commercials career had an equally auspicious start when he won the Shots Young Director’s award, a spot on Shots Magazine’s new director’s showcase, and Ad of the Year at Creative Circle.
Dean’s breakthrough commercial, Nando’s ‘Last Dictator Standing’ was a worldwide viral sensation. Also to his credit are campaigns for Santam, starring Sir Ben Kingsley; First for Women Insurance; and his SA Tourism commercial, ‘Reconsider’, which has become one of the world’s most viewed ads.
Dean has a slew of international awards under his belt, including Cannes, One Show, London International, New York Advertising, Clios, Midas and Epica. He is the most awarded Director in the Creative Circle’s history, having won Creative Circle’s Ad of the Year three times, as well as additional 2nd and 3rd places in alternative years.
Dean is known for his sensitivity and delicate handling of subject matter. He is a born storyteller, with a chameleon-like ability to adapt and evolve. While he is at home directing in many genres, it is his work with actors that sets him apart and has made him a highly sought after director for international brands such as Coca Cola, Toyota, KFC, Miller, Ford, Dominos and Konica Minolta.
