After starting his career as an art director for prominent advertising agencies, including Ogilvy and DDB, Vellas made the transition from directing title and motion graphics sequences to narrative filmmaking. Vellas broke onto the main stage in 2013 with “Soul,” a black and white short film for the legendary photography brand Leica. The acclaimed project won 17 awards, including several awards at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, D&AD, Clios, and the Ciclope Festival, among others. That same year, Vellas was selected to be part of Saatchi & Saatchi’s New Directors’ Showcase.
Vellas works with prestigious international agencies and brands, including Apple, Ubisoft, Volkswagen, Nike, Leica, Ford, Citroen, Mitsubishi, Renault, Remy Martin, and Budweiser. One of his most well-known campaigns is the PSA “#shutupdeath” for the French medical humanitarian organization Médecins du Monde. Earning multiple industry awards, including a Bronze Film Craft Lion, the dramatic film spotlights the important work being done by the organization’s heroic doctors who provide emergency and long-term medical care to civilians in conflict zones internationally.
As a filmmaker, Vellas enjoys shooting complicated action sequences and integrated VFX while still acknowledging minimalist storytelling, particularly when paired with his signature gritty and visceral directing style. In 2020, he released Ubisoft’s new opus Ghost Recon: Breakpoint to critical acclaim and was awarded the Grand Prix at Ciclope for his film with Deezer and Emicida, Silence. Vellas has directed numerous campaigns for Mercado Livre, including “Pride” and “New Iconic Kisses.” Vellas directed three episodes for season two of Arcanjo Renegado, which premiered in August of 2022.
In the branded entertainment space, he directed a short film for the Coca-Cola trilogy campaign called “Christmas Always Finds Its Way.” His film, “Alma”, is a fable about a town set in Mexico that is famous for its year-round production of Christmas decorations, but whose workers lose the Xmas spirit until it is reignited by an unlikely source.
In his spare time, Vellas is an avid traveler, having visited and shot in a wide range of countries across the world, including North Korea, Ethiopia, Chernobyl, and Kenya.
Vellas currently splits his time between Sao Paulo, Brazil, and living on airplanes.
