Ryan Andrews (director)
Ryan Andrews is a Welsh film director and writer. He is best known for directing the film Elfie Hopkins, and music videos for Charli XCX, Olivia Holt and numerous other pop artists.
Career
Andrews grew up in New Quay, Ceredigion, Wales.Andrews directed a short film titled Jerusalem. It is named for the work of the same name by artist William Blake, and is based on an unsuccessful exhibit held by the artist in Soho, London in 1809. The short examines how Blake was largely unrecognized and criticized during his time. Jerusalem stars Ray Winstone as William Blake, and Amanda Drew as his wife Catherine Blake. The screenplay was written by Philippa Goslett. The film was exhibited in the Tate Briton as part of the William Blake retrospective.
Andrews later directed a mini-series titled BeastHunters, which premiered on BBC Comedy upon its online launch. It stars James Corden, Jaime Winstone, and Robert Llewellyn.
Andrews' first feature film, Elfie Hopkins, was theatrically released in 2012 in the UK. It was released in the US in 2013 under the alternative title of Elfie Hopkins: Cannibal Hunter. Elfie Hopkins is a horror film surrounding a young aspiring detective who investigates her cannibalistic neighbors. For the film, Andrews chose to expand on the theme of cannibalism from his previous short film Little Munchkin. It was also inspired by Andrews' childhood dream of being a vampire hunter. The film stars Jaime Winstone and her father Ray Winstone. It was filmed in Ceredigion, Wales, where Andrews grew up.
Between 2012 and 2019 Andrews directed various music videos for different musicians. His most frequent collaborator has been Charli XCX, for whom he has directed ten music videos in total. After being approached by Warner Bros. and Atlantic Records, Andrews worked as Charli's visual director for several years — directing the music videos associated with her album True Romance. He has described his work with Charli as "taking Tumblr and internet art to the mainstream". Andrews has also directed music videos for Banks, Transviolet, Olivia Holt, Martine McCutcheon, and Jetta, among others. He directed the visuals for Little Mix's 2017 Glory Days tour. His commercial work includes brands such as Urban Outfitters, Red Ball Catwalk, Elliss and collaborations with I-D Magazine, Hunger Magazine and other leading editorials.
In 2022 Andrews directed the science fiction short film titled Hiraeth., The film was written by Stephen Laughton.Starring Olivia Ross and Jonathan Forbes, and tells the fictional story of a crewed mission to Europa. The film won multiple awards, including best director at SSFFF and best screenplay at Rhode Island International Film Festival Vortex Sci-Fi and Fantasy Award.
Andrews most recent writing and directing work, the 2023 cosmic horror film titled "Water" is co-written by Stephen Laughton and stars Gethin Anthony, Olivia Ross and Tom Canton.
Filmography
Feature films
DirectorElfie HopkinsProduction designer
| Year | Title | Notes | |
| 2005 | Mrs Henderson Presents | Assistant role | |
| 2009 | Gangster Exchange |
Short films
Director| Year | Title | Notes | |
| 2003 | Fangula | ||
| 2009 | Family Picnic | Featured in the BBC Two series Made in Wales | |
| 2010 | Jerusalem | ||
| 2010 | Little Munchkin | ||
| 2011 | I'm Your Man | Fashion film for i-D Magazine | |
| 2012 | Black | Fashion films for brand Sorapol | |
| 2012 | White | Fashion films for brand Sorapol | |
| 2015 | Astrid Andersen x A$AP Ferg – Water | Fashion film for brand Astrid Andersen | |
| 2016 | Love Birds | ||
| 2016 | Elliss | Fashion film for brand Elliss | |
| 2022 | Hiraeth | Award Winning Short Film | |
| 2023 | "Water" | Cosmic Horror short film |
Television
Director| Year | Title | Notes | |
| 2010 | BeastHunters | Two-part miniseries for BBC Comedy |
Music videos
Director| Year | Title | Artist | |
| 2007 | "Boogaloo" | Dead Residents and Optimas Prime | |
| 2008 | "Scumbongo" | Dead Residents | |
| 2011 | "Nuclear Seasons" | Charli XCX | |
| 2012 | "You're the One " | Charli XCX | |
| 2012 | "So Far Away " | Charli XCX | |
| 2012 | "Cloud Aura" | Charli XCX | |
| 2013 | "Work" | Banks | |
| 2013 | "You (Ha Ha Ha)" | Charli XCX | |
| 2013 | "Waking Up Dead" | Eyes on Film | |
| 2013 | "What I Like" | Charli XCX | |
| 2013 | "Live in the Speaker" | Mercedes | |
| 2013 | "Take My Hand" | Charli XCX | |
| 2013 | "The Legendary Children" | I Am a Camera | |
| 2013 | "SuperLove" | Charli XCX | |
| 2013 | "SuperLove " | Charli XCX | |
| 2013 | "SuperLove " | Charli XCX | |
| 2015 | "Angel Eyes" | Bo Rocha | |
| 2015 | "Mojito" | Kayla | |
| 2016 | "New Bohemia" | Transviolet | |
| 2016 | "I Heard Love" | IV Rox | |
| 2016 | "History" | Olivia Holt | |
| 2017 | The Glory Days Tour visuals | Little Mix | |
| 2017 | "Say I'm Not Alone" | Martine McCutcheon | |
| 2018 | "Hangin'" | Jetta | |
| 2018 | "Losing Control" | Jetta | |
| 2018 | "Fool" | Jetta | |
| 2019 | "A Lot to Give" | Iris Gold |
Awards
2009 Won, BBC - It's My Shout, Best Director2022 Won, SSFFF Award BEST DIRECTOR for Hiraeth. The Machine
2022 Berlin Sci-fi Film fest Nominated, Best Short Film. Hiraeth. The Machine
2022 Won, LASCIFI, Leviathan Award - Platinum Leviathan Award for Best Short Film for Hiraeth. The Machine
2022 Won Lonely Wolf International Film Festival, Festival Award Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film of the Year for Hiraeth.
The Machine
2022 Nominated, Lonely Wolf International Festival Award Outstanding Achievement in Production Design for Hiraeth. The Machine
2022 Norwich Film Festival, UK Nominated, Best Short Film Best East Anglian Short for Hiraeth. The Machine
2022 Won Roma Short Film Festival, Best Sci Fi Best Sci Fi for Hiraeth The Machine
2022 Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival Nominated, SSFFF Award Best Short Film for Hiraeth. The Machine
2022 Tokyo International Film Festival Nominated, Short Films Main Competition Best Sci Fi for Hiraeth. The Machine