From the release:
Award-winning production company Sibling Rivalry has bolstered its directorial roster by signing on renowned commercial, documentary and short narrative filmmaker, Sandra Winther.
With a style that melds documentary and narrative techniques and an emphasis on capturing the stories and pulse of vibrant youth, culture and subcultures, the Copenhagen-born, New York-based editor-turned-director has helmed an array of projects that reflect her approach for the likes of Nike, adidas, Versace, Hugo Boss, New Balance, and i-D. “By combining documentary and narrative, you create this new genre that’s a beautiful fusion of them both,” Winther explains. “Within that space, you can create something that’s very powerful, allowing for organic moments and improvisation within the bounds of a narrative structure. That’s how I like to tell stories.”
One of her most recent efforts for i-D, which was sponsored by New Balance, perhaps best reflects her directing focus and is one that she considers a personal favorite. “Last year, I did a three-part series for I-D that was sponsored by New Balance,” says Winther. “We focused on athletic subcultures in three different cities – London, New York, and Tokyo. As a director, that was a dream project. Not only am I very drawn to sports, movement and motion, which was what this project was all about, but I was able to give a voice to people and tell their unique stories.”
Now as part of Sibling Rivalry’s roster, the director hopes to not only challenge herself, clients and brands to create work that has rawness and authenticity, but continue to represent individuals and cultures through commercials, documentary, and narratives and expand her own capabilities in the process. “Whether it’s mixing different mediums and different types of footage, or experimenting with color and light, I want to push the limits and boundaries of storytelling and visual techniques,” Winther adds. “With every project, I never want to be afraid to explore new ways of telling a story or expressing a feeling.”
While she’s just wrapped a dance-driven commercial project and is currently hard at work on a documentary short, Winther – who draws filmmaking inspiration from lauded directors such as Andrea Arnold (American Honey) and Céline Sciamma (Girlhood) – also has her sights set on eventually writing and directing a feature film of her own.
With her drive, fearlessness, creativity and talent, Winther makes for a valuable, and ideal fit within Sibling Rivalry according to Shelby Ross, Executive Producer, who says that there was chemistry and connection from the start. “We couldn’t be more excited to represent Sandra as our newest Sibling. Her Directorial work expresses a youthful narrative storytelling ability, with a fresh vision and a work ethic to match. Sandra is an all-around force and we’re excited to have her in our family.”