RAF WATHION

Belgian born, Raf studied art at St. Lucas in Antwerp, and completed his master’s degree in animation at Shivkv Genk.

With advertising in the blood (his father owned an agency), and after working for TV channels creating indents using stop motion techniques, Raf began directing commercial films that married live action with post driven executions.

He’s as happy on stage as he is on location and continues to specialize in tabletop/macro product photography, automotive work, and capturing vast, cinematic landscapes. Preferring complex, in-camera driven solutions, he organically combines many disciplines and techniques to create viscerally captivating stories.

His work can sometimes be quiet, sometimes kinetic, but it is always delicate and nuanced. No matter the medium, he gravitates to the challenge of magically bringing inanimate objects to life.

Over the past 20 years, he’s directed campaigns for Bacardi, Delta, Acura, Audi, BMW, Lincoln, Nissan, Samsonite, Sony, and many more. Many of them receive international recognition and awards.

Raf’s latest short animation film, Little Ox, made the circuit in 2021-2022, and garnered notice at many festivals, including Anima Festival Brussels, Music & Cinema Marseille, LA Shorts, Manchester Film Festival, and Palm Springs Animation.

And most recently, when he’s not behind the camera, he’s in front of a classroom, guiding a lucky few future filmmakers in honing their craft.