Inertia City

After starting his career as an art director for prominent advertising agencies including Ogilvy and DDB, Vellas made the transition from directing title and motion graphics sequences to narrative filmmaking.

Vellas broke onto the main stage in 2013 with “Soul,” a black and white short film for the legendary photography brand Leica. The acclaimed project won several awards at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, D&AD Awards, the Clio Awards and Ciclope Festival, among others.

That same year, Vellas was selected to be part of Saatchi & Saatchi’s New Directors’ Showcase, known for presenting the best new talent in filmmaking.

Vellas has gone on to work with prestigious global agencies and brands, including Ubisoft, Leica, Ford, Citroen, Mitsubishi, Renault and Remy Martin.

One of his latest, most well-known campaigns was his 2018 public service announcement, “#shutupdeath” for the French medical humanitarian organization Médecins du Monde. Earning multiple industry awards, including a Bronze Film Craft Lion, the dramatic film spotlights the important work being done by the organization’s heroic doctors, who provide emergency and long-term medical care to civilians in conflict zones internationally.

As a filmmaker, Vellas enjoys shooting complicated action sequences and integrated VFX but also values minimalist storytelling, particularly when paired with his signature gritty and visceral directing style.

In his spare time, Vellas is an avid traveler, having visited and shot in a wide range of countries across the world, including North Korea, Ethiopia, Chernobyl and Kenya.

Vellas currently splits his time between Sao Paulo, Brazil and living on airplanes.