Emile was first exposed to filmmaking as a street-photography obsessed teenager in North London on the sets of his friends’ Channel U destined rap videos. His own first motion picture transposed the approach of “Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait” to Sunday league football on Hackney Marshes.. with an Art School budget. He then further explored documentary filmmaking, chasing roller skaters around the city for nights on end, while also simultaneously developing a socially engaged photographic practice.
His photographic eye and technical ability led to a period as DOP, working with directors and other creatives to shoot art films, music videos and documentary as well as campaigns and content for clients including Prada, Nike and Adidas. During this time Emile learnt what it meant to take a creative vision and manage a crew of professional technicians to deliver it.
In 2018 Emile’s core ambition to tell stories that speak to the burning social and political issues of our time gave rise to an opportunity to direct a BFI supported short film: Fortress, a mini road-movie set against the backdrop of the ongoing European refugee crisis. Fortress was subsequently selected for the BAFTA qualifying London Short Film Festival. Emile then took on music video projects with the same intent, including Hide & Seek for rapper Knucks which explored the toxic relationship between a young Black Londoner and a police officer. It was nominated for a MOBO in 2022 amongst other accolades.
Emile also deploys both his directorial and cinematographic skills to work as a self-shooter of short form video, mostly in the arts and culture sector.
Most recently Emile has been back to part-time study, acquiring an MA (with distinction) in Screenwriting whilst simultaneously working to engage some of London’s most marginalised young people in the process of filmmaking. He also took some time with his young family to live in Cape Town, South Africa, where he has both deep roots and future dreams. Whilst there he organised a worker-owned cooperative for young Black and Brown surf coaches as well as a gym based outreach programme which he coached, bringing another personal passion into his working repertoire.
Emile is committed to the long slow game of independent filmmaking and is currently brewing projects in both documentary and narrative fiction. He is very open to work and opportunities where he can apply his multifaceted skillset acquired through 15 years of work as a filmmaker and socially engaged creative.
Get in touch:
+44(0) 7800 735280
hello [at] emileebrahimkelly.com