Nicolai Fuglsig

Nicolai Fuglsig is an acclaimed director who began his career as a celebrated photojournalist. Whether in filmmaking or photojournalism, Nicolai consistently has been lauded for his work.

A graduate of the Danish School of Journalism, Nicolai came to directing after an acclaimed career as a photojournalist. In 1999, his book of photos of a classified nuclear accident in Russia won the International Center of Photography’s 1999 Infinity Award: Young Photographer and the World Press Photo First Prize. Soon after, Nicolai won the Kodak prize for Best Photographer in the World Under 30.

Nicolai made his first foray into filmmaking while on assignment covering and photographing the conflict in Kosovo. Following his instincts, Nicolai purchased a video camera and began recording footage that eventually became a powerful 15-minute documentary, “Return of the Exiled.” The non-fiction stunner aired on Danish National Television and was exhibited in the Danish cinema. An invitation from Levi’s to create a short film promoting Levi’s Vintage Jeans quickly followed, and Nicolai traveled to Haiti to shoot what became a viral ad for the brand. Based on authentic Voodoo practices, “Possessed Jeans” tells a visually compelling story about an elderly Haitian man and his brushes with voodoo.

Since then, Nicolai has worked with brands across the spectrum and throughout the world, including Sony, Apple, Guinness, Nike, Landbrokes, Macy’s, Kia, Mercedes, and Coca-Cola. Nicolai has twice won the coveted Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials and the Television Academy has recognized Nicolai’s work with an Outstanding Commercial Emmy Award. Nicolai’s work has also won other honors, including a prestigious Gold Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and numerous iconic Yellow Pencils at the D&AD Awards.