Bio
I like interacting with people and listening to their stories, and sometimes this leads to artistic or socially relevant projects. In 2020 I received an EMMY nomination for a PSA I wrote, produced, and directed. My 20-plus years of experience include developing creative strategy and content for Arts, Broadcast, Corporate, Entertainment, Fashion, and Nonprofit programs and brands. I've worked with Fortune 50 companies and supported +$80MM fundraising campaigns.
My BA in advertising (major in copywriting) and my first professional experience (three years as AVID editor in one of Milan's major Post facilities) is a combination of abstract thinking and technical skills that strongly impacted my career. My passion led me to wear multiple hats, including directing Fortune 50 conventions across Europe, filming documentary footage in Tibet, developing niche social networks, teaching filmmaking, and working as a street photographer to support social impact programs during the pandemic.
I manage teams promoting and supporting creativity, staying on strategy and brand. I work hands-on when it comes to video/photo projects. I love to travel and have worked on projects in China, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, and Tibet.
I immigrated to the US from Italy in 2009. I had to stop working for a while due to a lengthy immigration process and health challenges. But in 2016, I was able to get back to work, and the first thing I did was to write and direct the short film Thank You Rebbe. The film was well received in the US film festival circuit and won the Best Jewish Film Award at the 2021 Cannes Word Film Festival - Remember the Future competition. You may watch it at: thankyourebbe.com
In 2017 I received my green card and returned to collaborating and volunteering with film projects. Soon, I was helping nonprofits meet their filmmaking needs, and in 2018 I accepted a full-time position as a video director and video department lead at the Jewish United Fund of Chicago. The first project I wrote and produced was a PSA about the rise of antisemitism in the US. The video received a Silver Telly Award and a Midwest EMMY nomination. In July 2021, I had to leave this position for family reasons and relocated to the west coast.
LinkedIn profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielvital/