BIOGRAPHY
"Master of the Weird and Wonderful" *David Reviews
Paco Cruz is a comedic story artist, twisting a nuanced palette of color, luminosity, and shadow into brilliantly unexpected moments, seamlessly integrating visual effects, stop motion, animation, CGI, or 3D (if the occasion calls for them). His deftly drawn characters manage to inhabit a world constantly teetering between ordinary and bonkers with a corresponding mix of grace and clumsiness.
PACO’s love for all things comedy – from dry and satirical to physical and slapstick – means he can effortlessly move between modes from script to script or moment to moment. Meticulous casting and close collaboration with actors are natural parts of his process.
While still in school at the University of Porto, his short Film Without a Story won the Grand Prix at the European Capital of Culture Festival and went on to screen at Cannes. As he moved into advertising, his work has returned to Cannes again, drawing Lions for Film Craft and Cinematography.
Paco is currently based in Europe.
Awards
Main Recognitions
- Winner Silver Cannes Lions, in Film Craft
- Winner Bronze Cannes Lions, in Cinematograph
- 2 X Gold at Epica Awards
Since 2010 his films have collected several awards in such festivals like the Cannes Lions Festival or Gold at the Epica Awards. His films have also been recognized in different medias like David Reviews, Ads of The World, Creativity-Online or the renowned magazine Luerzer Archive.
He has been awarded several times with Gold at The Portuguese Creative Club in such different categories as Best Film, Best campaign, Best Web film, Best animation film, and in 2011 his work was also shortlisted at the Cannes Lions Festival.