Daniel Askill

A multi-disciplinary creative force, Daniel Askill is known for his work as both a filmmaker and artist, with a portfolio including film, music videos, commercials and video installations. His work, which The New York Times has described as “visually stunning,” is noted for its transportive, music-driven, and emotional visual storytelling—at times disruptive and always arresting.

He’s helmed advertising campaigns for Audi, Dior, Smirnoff, XBOX and Sony, and his music videos include Sia’s instantly-iconic duo “Elastic Heart” and “Chandelier” starring Maddie Ziegler—the latter of which, with just under two billion views, is one of the most-watched YouTube videos of all time. Askill’s work has received numerous nominations and awards including The Grammys, MTV VMAs, Lumiere Awards, Clio, D&AD & Cannes Lions.

Askill, who was born in Australia, now splits his time between Los Angeles and New York, where the creative collective Collider Studio, which he co-founded, is based.

In 2003, Askill wrote and directed the critically acclaimed, surreal short film We Have Decided Not To Die. Exhibited in various international film festivals, the film won prizes at France’s Clermont-Ferrand festival, Melbourne International, Brooklyn International and SXSW. The work is notable for its portrayal of the human body, ritual and use of visceral special effects.

In 2009, Askill collaborated with the Sydney Dance Company in its creative work “We Unfold”. Askill was commissioned to provide video art to screen alongside the work, which was exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 2010. Askill’s most recent, solo exhibitions Modern Worship (2011) and Three Rituals (2011) have been exhibited in Los Angeles and Sydney. The works are described as “a meditation on the notion of ritual and how it can be viewed through the eyes of modern culture.”