Johan Renck

In 1992 with an MBA in Business Economics from Stockholm School of Economics Johan Renck started working at Mekano Film and Television. From 1994 Johan “Stakka Bo” was occupied by his music career, releasing records and touring.

Johan began to work full time as a director in 1997. He quickly became a well-known name worldwide and by 1999 he was working with Madonna and Nike among others. Since 2002 Johan has run his own production company Renck Åkerlund Films (R.A.F) together with Jonas Åkerlund.  

During his career Johan has worked non stop all over the world within a variety of different media; films, commercials, music videos, theatre productions, art and music projects and still photography.  He works with many well-known brands and artists such as; Levi’s, Coca Cola, H&M, Audi, Carlsberg, Smirnoff Ice, Madonna, Robbie Williams, Beyonce, Kylie Minogue, Robyn, New Order, Monster Magnet, Finley Quaye to mention a few. Johan has also  shot stills for Italian Vogue and brands such as Diesel.

“Downloading Nancy”, is Johan’s first American feature film. Starring Maria Bello, Rufus Sewell and Jason Patric. The story is about a depressed woman who orders her own killer through Internet. The feature premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2008 and was chosen as one of the 18 features nominated (among 4500 submissions) for Best Film. The film later won the best music price at the Stockholm Film Festival in November 2008.

Breaking Bad - In August 2008 Johan directed an episode of the Emmy awarded American TV-series “Breaking Bad”.

Awards - Johan has achieved prestigious nominations and awards for his work, such as MTV award nominations to his music videos to Madonna and Beyoncé and two Cannes Bronze Lions for the Nike commercial "Racing Marion". In 2005 he won an award for best video in MVPA and was nominated in several categories in CAD for his music video for The Streets. In Cannes he collected a Bronze Lion for the commercial Sagem and a Silver Lion for his campaign for "Karl Lagerfeld for H&M", this film was also awarded a Grand Prix in Eurobest and a Gold in Epica. In 2006, he had several MVPA nominations, this time for his videos for Madonna's "Hung Up" and for Robbie Williams "Trippin" and The Gunn Report listed Johan Renck  as the 25th most rewarded director of commercials. In 2007 Johans short film 'Cow',for SOS Live Earth, was nominated in Eurobest and in Epica Awards where it won the Bronze price. In 2009 Johan’s H&M “Matthew Williamson picked up the Jury Prize at the A Shaded View On Fashion Film Festival.

Today Johan Renck is one of the most respected and sought after directors of commercials and music videos.