Storytelling production company 1stAveMachine has expanded its renowned and decorated directorial roster by signing award-winning filmmaker Danielle Katvan.
Photo by Lindsey Byrnes
As both a film and commercial director, Danielle’s distinct style infuses offbeat humor into highly stylized, cinematic worlds. “It’s like our world, but with the volume turned up a bit,” she describes. Katvan’s stories come to life through heightened visuals and eccentric characters, yet she always maintains an underlying thread of emotional authenticity. “The beauty of filmmaking is that you can escape to another place, but still feel emotionally connected to what you’re watching – and good performances are such a huge part of making that connection.”
Danielle has emerged as a directorial tour de force, from winning a Clio for her Vogue x Free People spot, to having her short film, The Foster Portfolio, premiere at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. She was also selected for the 2017 SHOOT New Directors showcase, and was a recipient of an award from Kodak for Excellence in the Craft of FIlmmaking.
Partner of 1stAveMachine, Sam Penfield says, “We have been big fans of Danielle’s work for some time. Her eye for authentic performances and beautiful cinematography, set against thoughtful art direction, have made for some incredibly compelling films. We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of her career going forward.”
Growing up in her parents eclectic photography studio in New York City, Danielle was exposed to the art of visual storytelling from a young age. She began by taking 35mm photographs, developing the film in their home’s darkroom. This evolved into an interest in moving images, when she bought her first video camera at age 12. It never left her side.
She has been a fan of 1stAveMachine since her early days as a filmmaker, captivated by their boundary-pushing material and original work ethic that truly matches her own. She is thrilled to be joining the roster, and looks forward to growing and refining her reel with 1stAveMachine’s support. “The team at 1stAveMachine has shown me such genuine support and enthusiasm, and I look forward to becoming a part of their family.”
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ABOUT 1STAVEMACHINE:
1stAveMachine is a mixed media production company and storytelling outfit. They create video, digital, and experimental content for TV, print, web, and mobile, all with a unified singular vision. They have won numerous awards since their formation, including Gold, Silver, and Bronze Cannes Lions, AICP, One Show, and ANDY awards, and many others. Their work has been featured across the globe and during the Super Bowl, and their division 1stAve Content has been instrumental in pairing the perfect influencers and creators with agencies and brands.