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Emma Westenberg

director

Blessed with the gift to visually transform any setting, storyteller artist and filmmaker Emma Westenberg crafts cinematic creations imbued with a happy-go-lucky and whimsical aesthetic.

Graduated from the renowned Rietveld Academy and the Cooper Union School of Art in NYC, the director received a special distinction ‘cum laude’ for her short film ‘The Still Life of Estelle’ (2014) – which she wrote, directed, produced and art directed. Soon after she picked up an award at the Milano Fashion Film Festival for her short film ‘Blue and You’ (2016). Her first steps that would really define Emma as a filmmaker were a diverse set of projects, ranging from commercial work for the likes of ASOS and Vogue to short films and music videos. Her big breakthrough being the viral sensation PYNK (2018) for Janelle Monae, which earned Emma a Grammy and MTV Music Video Award-nomination. The same year she directed her first Super Bowl spot featuring Zoe Kravitz. Since then various star-studded projects have followed, including celebrated music videos for the likes of Troye Sivan, Princess Nokia and Rico Nasty alongside directing Kendall Jenner for Vogue and Rebel Wilson for Olly.

“Bleeding Love,” Emma’s debut feature film starring Ewan McGregor and his daughter Clara McGregor, premiered at SXSW in March 2023. The narrative centers on a father who, recognizing his daughter’s inherited addiction issues, secretly takes her to rehab following an overdose, all while he has established a new family elsewhere. Vertical Entertainment acquired the distribution rights in December 2023 and set the film for a theatrical release in the United States on February 16, 2024.

Meanwhile, Emma skillfully juggles her diverse projects in fashion, music, and fiction. She’s currently working on her second feature film, “Angels,” with HALAL—a queer musical and dance film described as “Romeo and Romeo.” Additionally, she is collaborating with a Mexican production house on a horror film set on a tropical island. Westenberg particularly enjoys ‘world building,’ the process of creating unique universes through visuals, color, and music. Inspired by Fassbinder, who likened his oeuvre to a house with each film representing a different room, Emma aims to produce a wide variety of films, embracing this multifaceted approach.

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Portfolio

Bleeding Love

Bleeding Love

A father and daughter embark on a soul-searching road trip in an effort to reunite. Emma Westenberg's captivating debut film will hit US theaters Feb 16th.

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Stranger's Arms

Stranger's Arms

The feature film debut of celebrated director Emma Westenberg. Selected for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

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Zalando x Estée Lauder

Zalando x Estée Lauder

Holiday gifts - sometimes we nail it, sometimes not so much. Imagine if we could all get a little help to get closer and closer to find the perfect gift.

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OLLY

OLLY

Emma teams up with the beauty supplement brand as they introduce actress, writer & comedian Rebel Wilson as its latest ambassador

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Billie

Billie

Inspired by real reviews, brought to life by Emma for the razors built for womankind

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Swatch

Swatch

Emma directs Swatch's latest global campaign films for their Swatch BIG BOLD collection and BAPE collaboration

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Michelob

Michelob

Emma's first Super Bowl spot uses sound to stand out -and earned over 14 million views - featuring Zoe Kravitz doing ASMR

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Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe

Emma directs a visual celebration of creation, self love, sexuality and pussy power for Janelle Monáe. MTV VMA and Grammy Awards nominee

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Vogue x Stuart Weitzman

Vogue x Stuart Weitzman

Kendall's Day Off captured by Emma

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Fresh Blood

Fresh Blood

A young woman meets her new boyfriend's friends at his haunted housewarming.

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Rico Nasty

Rico Nasty

Getting freaky in broad daylight, Rico Nasty lets her pussy do the talking with a typical trippy, X-rated Emma-energy visual

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HP

HP

Madam President. A timely piece of work from Emma

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A Revolution of Love

A Revolution of Love

After having spearheaded the femme-loving visuals for “PYNK", Emma and Janelle Monaé join forces yet again for a YouTube produced mini-doc

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Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan

Coy beach romance in vibrant music video for Troye Sivan's 'Lucky Strike'

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ASOS U.S.

ASOS U.S.

Promposing is a big deal for kids in the US. We celebrate this tradition in this vibrant campaign reminiscent of 80ies high school films

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Halsey ft.  Dominic Fike

Halsey ft. Dominic Fike

Halsey & Dominic Fike hit the tennis court for their ‘Dominic’s Interlude’ video, directed by Emma

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SHOWstudio x Blue And You

SHOWstudio x Blue And You

Emma Westenberg's short film "Blue And You" for designer Sophie Hardeman premiers exclusively on Nick Knight's SHOWstudio.

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Dazed & Confused

Dazed & Confused

Emma and Sophie Hardeman's second collab is off to an insane start, it being exclusively premiered on the legendary platform of pop & youth culture.

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