Ben Briand

Benjamin Briand is an Australian film director.

Biography
Ben is an Australian writer and director.

In 2007 he wrote and directed Hammer Bay. The TV film project featured actress Jackie Weaver and was the result of winning the People's Choice Award at the first annual Optus ONE80PROJECT. The award was a joint venture with Sony Ericsson, Optus and MTV Australia.

In 2014 he directed the coming of age noir short film ‘Blood Pulls A Gun’ which had its World Premiere at South by South West (SXSW) in competition for the Grand Jury Award with the Huffington Post calling it “seriously brilliant”.

In 2016 Ben directed the short film ‘The Journey’, telling the life story of Brazilian Ballet Dancer Ingrid Silva in first person POV. The film has been viewed online over 8 million times, won a Cannes Silver Lion and the Grand Prix at European Cristal Festival.

In November 2016 The Hollywood Reporter announced Ben would direct the feature film 'Fever Heart' starring Alexander Skarsgård and Cara Delevingne. The project was described as a 'gothic thriller'.

Ben was commissioned to write and direct ‘Armour’ starring Natasha Liu Bordizzo for Vogue China to launch their Vogue Film magazine in 2018. The project was created in conjunction with The Woolmark Company.

In 2019 he was invited to direct the first commercial for Apple to be made in Australia. The project titled 'First Dance' celebrates same sex marriage equality becoming law in Australia and featured real couples at their actual weddings. It was named Best TV Campaign of the year at the Australian B&T Awards and was nominated for the Film Lion in Cannes. The campaign drew criticism from conservative Hollywood actor James Woods and his social media followers.

His other commercials include Qantas, ASUS featuring Gal Gadot, Asahi Beer, Audi, Oroton with Rose Byrne, Nespresso and Playboy Fragrances for Coty.

Filmography

 * Armour (2019)
 * Ingrid Silva the Journey (2016)
 * Blood Pulls a Gun (2014)
 * The Gentleman Shaver (2011)
 * The Reformed Troglodyte (2011)
 * Some Static Started (2010)
 * Apricot (2009)
 * Castor & Pollux (2009)
 * Parting Moments: Following Minutes of a Separation (2008)
 * Hammer Bay (TV movie, 2007)