More Human, Less Clinical
Aaron + Winston
Aaron and Winston
ABOUT
Aaron & Winston Tao are a Chinese-American writing and directing duo. Born to immigrant parents who divorced when they were less than a year old, they were primarily raised by their schizoaffective bipolar mother. Their work often highlights social issues featuring marginalized lower middle class families and explores themes of mental health, fractured families, and parentification from a humanistic lens.
AWARDS
Their films have been recognized by almost every major ad festival in the world. “The Rabbit Hole,” picked up 4 Cannes Lions nominations and won silver in best direction at Cannes as well as Best Direction at AICP. Their branded film, “Sleep Well, My Baby,” won silver at the Cannes Lions Young Director Awards.
"You will get excited all over again every time they email something new and smart and beautiful because these guys are always pushing the work. [...] Aaron and Winston are just good, thoughtful, wildly talented people who are an advertising creative’s dream to collaborate with."
Nick Spuhler & Bridget Mabey
Creative Directors | Ogilvy Health, Fingerpaint, CDM, CAlcium
Selected Awards & Recognition
Cannes Lions Silver Winner for Best Direction (The Rabbit Hole) plus two Silver YDA wins. AICP Show Best in Show PSA (Burp) and Best Direction Winner (The Rabbit Hole).
The One Show Silver Pencil for Best Branded Entertainment. D&AD Wooden Pencil for Best Long Form. Shots Awards Gold Winner for Ad of the Year (Charity). Anthem Awards Gold Winner for Special Projects. Webby Awards People's Voice Winner (SuperMaarko) and 1.4 Awards Gold Winner for Best Branded Content.
Vimeo Staff Pick Official Selections (2022 & 2017). Academy Nicholl Fellowships Semi-Finalist for Screenwriting (Goodbye, Hurricane). Anthem Awards Silver Winner for Film, Video, Television or Show.
LEFT, a still from VOLVO | MOVIng forward
CURENT PROJECTS
They are currently in development for their feature, UNTIL THE SUN RISES. Their previous script, GOODBYE, HURRICANE, was an Academy Nicholls semifinalist and Black List x CAPE finalist. The brothers are repped for Feature Film by CAA.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Their diverse portfolio has spanned commercial campaigns for clients such as Starbucks, Honda, Ford, Ram, Pedigree, and World Vision. Their national commercial spot for AdCouncil with McKinney went viral, generating 42.5+mil views across all social platforms, and their Pedigree spot with BBDO picked up a Cannes Lion win and went on to generate 15.6+mil social views in just over a week to become the most successful organic content in the history of Pedigree.
FROM LEFT | BTS , UNTITLED ASTRA ZENECA PROJECT | BTS from BE STILL, MY DARLING
AICP Show, “Burp,” Best in Show PSA, Shortlist, 2024
Cannes Lions, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Direction, Silver Winner, 2023
Cannes Lions, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Script, Shortlist, 2023
Cannes Lions “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Editing, Shortlist, 2023
Cannes Lions, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Sound Design, Shortlist, 2023
D&D Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Long Form, Wooden Pencil Winner, 2023
AICP Show, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Direction, Winner, 2023
AICP Next Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” Purpose Driven, Shortlist, 2023
The One Show Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Branded Entertainment, Long Form Video, Silver Winner, 2023
Webby Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Branded Entertainment, Public Service & Activism, Nominee, 2023
Shots, “The Rabbit Hole,” Ad of the Year: Charity, Gold Winner, 2023
Directors Notes, "The Rabbit Hole", 2022 Premiere
The Black List x CAPE, "Goodbye, Hurricane", 2021 Finalist
Academy Nicholls Fellowship, "Goodbye, Hurricane", 2021 Semi-Finalist
The Black List, "Goodbye, Hurricane", 2021 Black List Recommended
Hollyshorts Film Festival, "Sleep Well, My Baby", 2019 Official Selection
Cannes Lions YDA Awards, "Watching", Changing the World Frame by Frame, 2019 Silver Award Winner
Cannes Lions YDA Awards, "Sleep Well, My Baby", Changing the World Frame by Frame, 2018 Silver Award Winner
Cannes Lions YDA Awards, "Sleep Well, My Baby", Best Short Film, 2018 Shortlist
Kinsale Shark Awards, "Sleep Well, My Baby", Best Short Film, 2018 Shortlist
Kinsale Shark Awards, "Sleep Well, My Baby", Best Direction, 2018 Shortlist
Webby Awards, "Sleep Well, My Baby", 2018 Honorable Mention
One Screen/Show Awards, "SuperMaarko," 2017 Best Emerging Directors Nominee
One Screen/Show Awards, "SuperMaarko," 2017 Best Narrative, Nominee
Webby Awards, "SuperMaarko", 2017 People's Voice, Winner
Brand Film Festival, "SuperMaarko," 2017 Official Selection
ADCAN Awards, "Home", Grand Prix, 2017 Shortlist
Source Creative Showcase, "Before the Fall.", 2016 Official Selection
Cannes Short Film Corner, "Picture. Perfect.", 2013 Official Selection
Beijing International Film Festival, "Picture. Perfect.", Audience Award, 2013 Winner
Warsaw International Film Festival, "Picture. Perfect.", Best Short Film, 2012 Grand Prix NomineeFord
Volvo
Teva
Astra Zeneca
Gilead