Award-winning director Michael Spiccia fuses raw, honest storytelling with intimate character performances, mining for truth and the essence of emotion. His critically acclaimed short film YARDBIRD competed for the prestigious Palme d’Or du Court at the 65th Cannes Film Festival. The acclaimed short was recognized throughout various film festivals worldwide as one of the most compelling short films of the year. Instinctually drawn to the arts from a very young age, Michael graduated from art school before becoming one of Australia’s most sought-after music video directors. Segueing into a successful directorial career in television commercials, his visually arresting style has landed him global campaigns, notably for Apple, Honda, Samsung, Xbox, Visa and Facebook. A deep believer in the power of cinema, Michael is drawn to the soul of story and connecting audiences through intrinsic truths. He often amplifies the ordinary through a surrealist lens, capturing the essence of human character and merging them into evocative and visual worlds.