About

Simon Joanes is a London-born Director and Filmmaker, now based in Dublin, Ireland.

Simon has worked across branded content, live music, documentary and development, directing for some of the world’s biggest broadcasters and agencies. He has extensive experience directing presenters, recording artists, celebrities and contributors, bringing authenticity and visual flair to every project.

Over the past eight years, Simon has focused on branded content creation, collaborating with leading global agencies including TBWA, Ogilvy, WPP, Freud Communications and Condé Nast Digital.on innovative, non-traditional advertising campaigns. This work has taken him around the world, creating compelling films for brands including Sony Pictures Animation, Apple, Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniel’s and Red Bull.

With a wealth of experience spanning TV, online, radio, digital, social and experiential content, Simon’s creative approach consistently delivers campaigns that engage audiences beyond traditional advertising — giving brands stories people want to share.

Simon began his career on Channel 4’s Popworld, where he directed multi-camera performances for global superstars including Beyoncé, Rihanna and Britney Spears. A career highlight came directing the main stage at Bestival, producing three Channel 4 specials that captured explosive sets from The Beastie Boys, The Chemical Brothers and Primal Scream.

A lifelong music lover, Simon uses sound and rhythm as storytelling tools. His passion for music has driven a diverse body of work — from the BBC’s “Sir John Eliot Gardiner Presents Bach” special, to Red Bull’s Culture Clash, where the worlds of dancehall, dub, reggae and grime collide.

Expanding into observational documentary, Simon produced and directed Chancers — a nine-part, fly-on-the-wall prime time series for Channel 4 following six young musicians chasing success in America. He has since directed numerous documentaries exploring identity, creativity and culture.

Simon has also developed multiple projects for BBC, Maverick TV and CTVC, and cut his teeth with Jamie Oliver’s Fresh One Productions, where he directed eight short pilots — two of which went on to be commissioned by BBC and Sky TV.