Ben Addelman
agent: Camilla Chiverton - camilla@sternwild.com
Ben Addelman is an award-winning director with a track record of combining cinematic visuals and authentic storytelling. Ben got his start directing documentaries with the National Film Board of Canada in Montreal. Travelling the world with a camera in his backpack, Ben made films about the Nigerian film industry, call centre workers in Mumbai, and political strife on a university campus in Montreal. Since then, he’s lived in London and Toronto, directing for major streamers, studios and brands. Ben has delivered to NETFLIX, Apple TV+, Disney/Nat Geo and major brands including Toyota and Asics. He is currently directing a series of branded films for a major luxury brand.
Bucking advice to “pick a lane,” Ben instead brings his cinematic documentary approach to his work across feature docs, series, branded and commercial projects.
Ben’s five feature documentaries have screened at top film festivals (Sundance, Hot Docs etc.), won awards, had theatrical releases and been streamed and broadcast widely. His most recent feature Plastic People (2024) – a globetrotting examination of the dangers of microplastics, had its North American and European premieres at SXSW and Sheffield DocFest before going on to dozens of festivals and theatrical screenings worldwide. Plastic People has recently been nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Director.
Ben spent more than a year directing, writing and producing for the Olivia Colman-narrated Apple TV+ series Becoming You. During that time, he led crews on location in South Africa, Nepal and at home in London. He directed the Vice series Payday about the economic fortunes of young Americans in Houston Reno, and Memphis, and he directed North American scenes for the Disney + / National Geographic series Limitless with Chris Hemsworth.
In the advertising world, Ben has helmed branded series for Toyota, Chivas Regal, Giff Gaff, Desperadoes, Bank of Montreal and the International Olympic Committee. He also directed Mind Games, a full-length branded film for Asics and Prime Video, and has done 30-second commercials for brands including Becel (Flora in the UK), Health Canada, Nature Valley and Tim Hortons.