Like his millennial counterparts, multi-award winning filmmaker, Dan Mace, 26, is not all about making money.

He strives to align himself with ethical brands that “keep it real”, and his integrity has paid off. His work has over 20 million views on YouTube; he’s won three Silvers in two years at the Young Directors Awards at Cannes Lions; and his first commercial, Tusker ‘Here’s to Us’, has already picked up an African Cristal Film Grand Prix; two Bronzes and a Craft Loerie; two One Show craft merits; Creative Circle Ad of the Month; Ad of the Week from MarkLives; and a Special Mention on ididtht’s SA Film Reel.

He recently signed to Egg Films, South Africa’s most internationally awarded production company in 2017, where his first job with Vodacom was Editor’s Pick on Adforum, Best of Reel on ididtht’s SA Film Reel; Ad of the Week on MarkLives; and Select of the Day on Source Creative, among other accolades.

His short film, Gift, also recently screened between talks from presidents and pioneers at TED Global. Mace credits film for helping him come out of his shell at age 14, and giving him a voice to express his inner thoughts.

Having opened a film production company, If Not Why Not, at 22, and directed more than 100 films since then.

Mace is already building a brand with “human purpose value at its core”. A little-known fact is that, as someone who grapples with anxiety, Dan’s filmmaking helps his psyche. “Making films helps me to sustain my sanity, and it keeps me in the present moment.”

|I live by the words: “Often opportunity is missed, as it’s disguised in overalls and looks like work.”|

Categories: Influencers