Simon Willows

Long before becoming a director, Simon Willows was always making things—custom cassette sleeves, life-sized spacemen, anything he could get his hands on. His creativity naturally led him to filmmaking, where he blended his love for animation, stop-motion, puppetry, and illustration.

Starting out in Soho as a runner, Simon built a wealth of industry experience (including a mad dash to get stills to Spike Jonze aboard Air Force Two). His breakthrough came at Blink with his first Nike ad—puppeteering supermarket chickens—earning him a D&AD Pencil and setting the tone for his signature style: humorous, smart, and full of heart.

From music videos for Kasabian to commercials for McDonald’s, Cadbury’s, and Peugeot across the globe, Simon has mastered the art of mixing genres and techniques into engaging, memorable films. Whether crafting in-camera visual trickery, full-CGI spectacles, or capturing warm, comedic performances, his hands-on approach keeps him in high demand worldwide.

On set, Simon’s collaborative and organized style makes him a favorite among agencies and brands. Need a visual reference? He’s got an animatic. Wondering how to get a grumpy baby to ride a tricycle? With three kids at home, he’s got that covered too.

After nearly 20 years in the industry, Simon’s curiosity still drives him forward, making every new project a fresh and exciting challenge. Reach out—he might even sketch you a scamp.

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