Hire the Best
Film Directors

Check out Film Directors on Upwork, with the skills you need for your next job.
Clients rate our Film Directors
Rating is 4.9 out of 5.
4.9/5
Based on 298 client reviews
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Ray L.

Warrington, United States

$125/hr
5.0
464 jobs
Lorray Digital Video is an award-winning video production studio and agency physically located in the Northeast USA. Owner Ray Lombardi has over two decades of professional experience as a producer, director, cinematographer, and editor. The studio engages clients from all around the world, and provides on-site services both locally and nationally. My history on Upwork includes over $500K earned, over 400 projects completed on Upwork alone, and 180 ratings and reviews with a 5-star rating. We are rated a "Top Pro" on Upwork with a 100% job success score. Lorray Digital Video has invested in the best, world-class, state-of-the-art cameras, lighting, audio, drones, stabilizers an more. The studio’s affiliates include young and upcoming talent that specialize in social media content for today’s mainstream culture, as well as seasoned pros that have vast experience servicing commercial and corporate clients. Our projects represent a variety of genres, including: * Corporate overview/profile videos * Commercial overview/profile videos * Commercial product videos * Short films * Artistic films, including music and visual arts * Social Media shorts * Industrial, manufacturing and technology-based videos * Medical, dental, healthcare, and fitness videos * Biotechnology and related scientific product development videos * Large events, such as trade shows, conventions, concert * Live streaming events * Educational and training videos * Crowd Funding videos Our client-base is as wide and varied as our project genres, and includes everything from Fortune 500 companies to individuals, professionals, business owners, artists, consultants, authors, motivational speakers, and more. The studio enjoys a repeat client rate of over 60%. Here is a sample list of some of our notable clients: 
Disney/ABC TV Samsung Sun Chemical Fortune Media (Fortune Magazine) US Gov Small Business Administration AT&T Verizon Johnson & Johnson US Ghost Tours SCORE Children’s Organ Transplant Association Customerbloom LDR Capital Management Cherry Hills Public Schools Generate Capital Hawthorne Foundation Homevative Kepner Tregoe NABNTV OCI Incorporated Primal Health Associates Williamsburg Montesorri School American Veterans Center L & R Ultrasonics NACCME POPPA ADIT VENTURES Bankers Healthcare Group CRED Force Edison Partners Ethos Energy Franchise Creator Glossier HPT Pharma KidneyCan National Grid Ventures Government of Singapore Reputation is as important to us as any business that predominantly secures clients online. We have been fortunate over the years to have received literally hundreds of ratings and reviews on various platforms, with ratings that are averaging in the 4.9 to 5.0 range overall. No business is perfect, and we do not claim perfection, but our primary goal is to generate 100% satisfaction for every client that engages with Lorray Digital Video. Our pricing is among the most equitable in the industry, and we typically go overboard to provide the very best value in the business. We offer many avenues for discovering more about our services, whether by phone, text, email, zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or google meet.
  • Final Cut Pro
  • Photography
  • Apple Motion
Ivan T.

Kiev, Ukraine

$50/hr
5.0
203 jobs
Hi, I am an internationally published fashion photographer and filmmaker with extensive experience and a creative vision. Together with my team of top stylists, makeup artists, and editors, I’ve earned a reputation as one of the highest-rated professionals on Upwork, as reflected in the glowing client feedback on my profile. I’ve successfully completed over 200 projects remotely. My diverse portfolio includes magazine covers, fashion editorials, advertising campaigns, commercials, music videos, fashion films, art projects, nudes, lookbooks, and lifestyle content for e-commerce and social media platforms like Instagram. For your advertising, lifestyle, and fashion photography and video needs, I provide a comprehensive service—from pre-production, art direction, model and location scouting, to prop and wardrobe selection, shooting, and editing of the final product. Please explore my portfolios and showreel at the bottom of this page for a sample of my work. For additional portfolio examples tailored to your specific needs, don’t hesitate to reach out. My clients have included renowned publications like Playboy, Elle, Domus Design, as well as fashion designers, local and international brands, entrepreneurs, advertising agencies, and startups, including Amazon and Instagram sellers. I’m excited to collaborate with you and bring your vision to life. Best regards, Ivan P.S. I’m currently based in Ukraine and can only shoot here for now.
  • Film Direction
  • Photography
  • Fashion Editorial
  • Video Production
  • Film Production
  • Model Photography
  • Fashion Photography
  • Studio Photography
  • Social Media Imagery
  • Music Video
  • Commercial Photography
  • Lifestyle Photography
  • Street Fashion Photography
  • High Fashion Photography
  • Editorial Fashion Photography
Lukas A.

London, United Kingdom

$60/hr
5.0
156 jobs
I'm a filmmaker, creative consultant, and business mentor with a passion for helping artists bring their ideas to life — and turn them into sustainable careers. 🎥 With a background in documentary filmmaking and visual storytelling, I offer professional project consulting for films, documentaries, and creative media. 🛠️ I also provide reliable post-production services, including film, TV & video editing, subtitling (German, Greek, English), and translations at a reduced rate ($50/hr). 🎯 For creatives looking to build stronger businesses, I offer tailored coaching and strategy sessions, drawing on my business degree and years of creative industry experience. Let's bring your creative vision to life — from the first idea to the final cut.
  • Film Direction
  • Film Production
  • Documentary
  • Business Coaching
  • Business Consulting
  • Career Vision Definition
  • Career Coaching
  • Business Process Automation
  • Business Planning & Strategy
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Creative Strategy
  • Creative Direction
  • Teaching
  • Pitch Deck
  • Screenplay Treatment
Alex M.

Brooklyn, United States

$125/hr
5.0
137 jobs
Do you want the same quality of creativity that you see on TV? If so, then you're in the right place.  My name is Alex Morsanutto and I am an award-winning filmmaker and advertising expert with 10+ years of film & commercial experience. I also am the owner of Silvermine Productions located just outside of New York City.   My narrative work published online has millions of views on The Atlantic, Fox Sports, and Short of the Week. As a screenwriter, I've pitched to Netflix, TWC, and MarVista along with other companies. I recently directed nationwide broadcast commercials for Zenni, Brother Printer, Pond's Men, The Beard Struggle, and JOAH.  I've worked for Fortune 500 Companies like Target, Mastercard, Unilever, and Chevrolet, as well as municipalities like the state of California, VC-funded start-ups, and small family businesses.  Our project Beasts of Suburbia was a Sundance Episodic Lab finalist. Most recently, we created a pilot for a TV Series called Operation: Cavity. Most recently I produced, TRAPPED, for Oscar-nominated directors Sam and David Cutler-Kreutz that won the Special Jury Award at SXSW. I also am partnered with Ethnic Channels Group, where we develop and produce original content for TV and film. When you hire me for your project you will receive my full attention and the project will be handled with professionalism and care. I hold communication and accessibility in the highest regard.   Here are my areas of expertise:  - Film Production (Concept to Delivery on Animation & Live Action)  - Copywriting (Ads, Print) - Screenwriting (Film, TV) - Commercials  - Crowdfunding Videos (Kickstarter, Indiegogo) - Creative & Brand Development  I'm available to work internationally as I have directed and produced projects in Norway, Canada, U.A.E, Iceland, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Czech Republic. Finally, I offer RUSH and on-demand services and training options on any skillset I have. I prefer to work on a flat-fee basis with 50% upfront and 50% on delivery. Contact me to get started on your project today.
  • Film Direction
  • Storytelling
  • Copywriting
  • Advertising
  • Short Story Writing
  • Film
  • Ad Creative
  • Creative Writing
  • Video Production
  • Screenwriting
  • Creative Direction
  • Film Production
  • Pitchbook
  • Humor Writing
  • Video Commercial
Filippos T.

Los Angeles, United States

$75/hr
5.0
136 jobs
Hi, I’m Filippos, a high-end video editor and motion graphics specialist helping brands, agencies, and creators craft visually compelling, high-performing content. I specialize in branded content, social ads, motion-enhanced promos, and commercials that blend storytelling, pacing, and design into attention-grabbing visuals. With over 10 years of experience, I’ve delivered content for Disney, NBC, Intel, Starbucks, BuzzFeed, Samsung, Warner Bros, and Mondelēz, collaborating with creative teams across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. I’m part of Upwork’s Expert-Vetted program, awarded to the top 1% of freelancers, and have earned over $100,000 on the platform with a 100% Job Success Score. What I deliver: Commercials and branded content Paid social ads (Meta, YouTube, TikTok) Product videos and promotional campaigns Advanced motion graphics using After Effects Kinetic text, animation overlays, and logo reveals I work primarily in Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition, and I integrate easily with both solo founders and in-house teams. I hold a Master’s in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles and a Bachelor’s in Communication and Advertising, giving me a well-rounded creative and strategic foundation. Skilled in leveraging AI tools such as Runway, accelerate creative workflows, generate visuals, and enhance storytelling in video editing and motion design projects. Clients choose me for: Motion-enhanced storytelling with a sharp editorial eye Fast, reliable delivery with consistent quality Polished sound design, pacing, and visual rhythm Clear communication and creative collaboration Portfolio: filippostsapekis.com Let’s bring your ideas to life. I typically respond within a few hours.
  • Music Video
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Video Commercial
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Motion Graphics
  • Adobe Audition
  • Film Editing
  • Video Editing
  • TV Advertising
  • Video Design
  • Short Video Ad
  • Social Video Marketing
  • Social Media Video
Josiah S.

Atlanta, United States

$40/hr
5.0
102 jobs
As a filmmaker, I am great at pre-production, execution, and post-production. My love for film and creation called for me to learn all of the steps that came with it. From planning a shoot, location scouting, casting, permit acquisition, editing, lighting, sound design, to filming, acting and directing and everything in between. As I learned to produce different types of projects, I quickly fell in love with the entire process and the thrill of learning how to produce different types of projects according to the client's wants and needs. To date, I am proficient in filming and editing commercials, feature films, social media ads, short films, weddings, parties/events, recap videos, fashion films, and even music videos. There is something about taking an abstract idea, and using locations, people, and props and creating something that is real, and tangible. It is very much like turning a blank canvas into a beautiful piece of artwork. In the same way, I love being able to take someone’s ideas and being able to turn it all into a cohesive end product that conveys a message, or evokes emotion. I can't wait to showcase my talent here on Upwork and expand my portfolio! My Skillset: 1) Planning - I have always been great at pre-production. Planning and being be prepared for the shoot and any unexpected situations that may arise is the best way to ensure that shoot day goes smoothly and efficiently. 2) Filming - I love taking new locations, concepts, and products and "finding the shot." There is only so much you can do in pre-production to plan for shots. Sometimes while on set, you may stumble upon a unique set of circumstances that were impossible to plan for. For example, once on set, you may be inspired by the natural lighting to capture a shot or angle that otherwise wouldn't have happened. 3) Editing - I think that in many ways editing is just as important as the cinematography and pre-production. You can have the most beautiful shots in the world, but if the editor doesn't know how to compile these shots and angles into a cohesive end product, then all of those beautiful shots are wasted. All in all, the biggest take away should be that my creativity is my biggest asset. Whether I am planning, filming, or editing, I love to get creative and use my imagination in each step of the process to come up with a final project that artistically surpasses what the client or I envisioned. MY PRODUCTION COMPANY I founded my production company Kyng Media for commercial video production, after working as a producer and head of video content creation at a well known modeling agency that is transitioning into a marketing company based in Atlanta, Georgia. At the agency, I produced many commercials and social media ads for notable brands. I am in love with film and movies, so my long term goal is to become a household name film production company, but I realize and embrace the fact that part of that journey will be to produce many smaller scale projects and commercials in order to someday get there. To date, I have filmed and edited literally hundreds of videos. This includes corporate videos, interviews, product videos, music videos, real estate videos, weddings, funding videos, social media reels, short films, and more. I look forward to the opportunity to bring your vision to life, and add your brand to my portfolio of successfully completed projects! Thank you for taking the time to read my profile, I look forward talking to you about your next big video project!
  • Film Direction
  • Cinematography
  • Social Media Video
  • Video Production
  • Documentary
  • Website Customization
  • Video Advertising
  • Video Editing & Production
  • Film & Video
  • Web Design
  • Film
  • Videography
  • Video Editing
  • Film Production

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How to Hire Top Film Directors

What is a film director?

Whether for a Hollywood production or a short film for a company’s new product, a film director is responsible for a film's artistic and dramatic direction. Capable film directors are available on Upwork and can effectively visualize the screenplay while guiding the technical crew and actors in the fulfilment of his vision.

How do you hire a film director?

You can source film director talent on Upwork by following these three steps:

  • Write a project description. You’ll want to determine your scope of work and the skills and requirements you are looking for in a film director.
  • Post it on Upwork. Once you’ve written a project description, post it to Upwork. Simply follow the prompts to help you input the information you collected to scope out your project.
  • Shortlist and interview film directors. Once the proposals start coming in, create a shortlist of the professionals you want to interview. 

Of these three steps, your project description is where you will determine your scope of work and the specific type of film director you need to complete your project.

How much does it cost to hire a film director?

Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.

  • An experienced film director may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
  • A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their film directing services more competitively. 

Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project. 

How do you write a film director job post?

Your job post is your chance to describe your project scope, budget, and talent needs. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.

Job post title

Create a simple title that describes exactly what you’re looking for. The idea is to target the keywords that your ideal candidate is likely to type into a job search bar to find your project. Here are some sample film director job post titles:

  • Director/cinematographer needed for short film
  • Ad agency needs film directors to produce long-form commercials
  • Record label looking for film director to produce artist documentaries

Project description

An effective film director job post should include: 

  • Scope of work: From choosing site locations to helping with casting decisions, list all the deliverables you’ll need. 
  • Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project. 
  • Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, software, or genres, mention this here. 
  • Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.

Film director job responsibilities

Here are some examples of film director job responsibilities:

  • Work with editors and sound engineers to finalize independent film
  • Teach film students the finer points of directing
  • Work with screenwriter to create short film with limited special effects

Film director job requirements and qualifications

Be sure to include any requirements and qualifications you’re looking for in a film director. Here are some examples:

  • Undergraduate degree from accredited film school
  • Minimum five years as an editor or cinematographer
  • Ability to work well with actors and technical crew through entire production
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