Los Angeles, CA, May 9th, 2025 — Kyra Bartley has joined the roster at SKUNK, bringing her rich, emotionally resonant visual style and cross-disciplinary background to the fold.

Named Shots Director of the Year (Asia Pacific), Bartley is known for striking work that blurs documentary honesty with poetic, conceptual storytelling. Her campaigns for brands like Vodafone, Google, and UNHCR have earned recognition at Cannes Lions, D&AD, Ciclope and beyond, and she was previously featured in the Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors’ Showcase at Cannes.

A self-taught filmmaker who began in animation and post, Bartley’s career has been defined by creative leaps. Her short film Love is Love pivoted her into live action, while her recent UNHCR and Vodafone work reflect a refined balance of performance, visual experimentation, and deeply human narratives. “That level of creative trust from agency and client is now my gold standard,” she says.

“Kyra brings a rare kind of duality to her work—technical precision paired with true emotional depth,” says SKUNK founder Matt Factor. “She’s able to hold space for vulnerability on set while delivering bold, boundary-pushing visuals. That combination feels incredibly aligned with where we’re going as a company.”

Bartley continues to be drawn to work that values honesty, subtlety, and emotional clarity. “Casting is my favourite part of the process. It’s where someone takes the words and makes them breathe.”

Bartley sees the commercial space as a site of real creative opportunity—especially when craft, risk, and trust are prioritized. “The most successful work comes from a strong point of view,” she says. “For me, it always comes back to humanity. No matter the genre or format, I want the work to feel lived-in, honest, and just a little unexpected.” With her arrival, SKUNK further deepens its commitment to directors who bring singular voices to the table—and stories that stay with you long after the frame cuts to black.