Gelb to Direct for Nonfiction
 

Docu director David Gelb signs with Nonfiction.

Bicoastal production company Nonfiction Unlimited has added David Gelb to its roster of  documentary commercial filmmakers. Gelb will focus on commercials, short films and branded content projects.

The signing follows the success of "Jiro Dreams of Sushi," Gelb's feature documenting a tiny subterranean sushi-only restaurant in a Tokyo subway station. It has collected the AFI World Cinema Audience Award and Monterrey International Film Festival's Audience Award before its bow at the Tribeca International Film Festival.

"David has an amazing visual aesthetic that is a perfect compliment to our roster," explains Nonfiction Exec Producer Loretta Jeneski. "His work is full of wonderful character studies with a visual sensibility that is perfect for brands seeking broad commercial appeal."

Gelb's career rolled into gear right out of college. A graduate from USC's Cinema Production program, Gelb traveled across America documenting the rock outfit The Hold Steady. Then shorts starring Robert Downey Jr., Edward Burns, Jeffrey Tambor and Henry Winkler unspooled at the Tribeca International Film Festival.

Success on the Sundance Channel followed with "A Vision of Blindness," a behind-the-scenes look at Fernando Meirelles's feature "Blindness" starring Mark Ruffalo and Julianne Moore. Gelb has also directed music videos and behind-the-scenes shorts for John Fogerty, the Willowz, Modest Mouse, Bright Eyes and Incubus.

Gelb looks forward to bringing his documentary experience into the commercial production arena. "I feel that Nonfiction is a perfect fit for me," he explains. "My work is about telling an honest story and turning the audience on to genuine characters. I am excited to bring that to advertising projects at a company that embraces the best of that vision."

Published 4, June 2012