Mark Albiston is a New Zealand director working with Merman in the UK and Sweetshop globally, celebrated for capturing authentic human performances from children and non-professional actors. His textural, shot-on-film aesthetic and emotive storytelling have driven campaigns for IKEA, Apple, NatWest, Vodafone, BT, Lloyds, Three Mobile, Lipton, Toyota, Thomas Cook, and Zalando. Mark's Lipton Tea campaign, depicting an introverted schoolboy and his bus driver, received widespread critical acclaim for finding magic in small human moments. His expertise with children is unrivalled: he builds trust through simple rituals like tea and conversation, empowering young performers to deliver naturalistic, unscripted performances. Beyond commercials, Mark has won the Jury Prize at Cannes and Best International Short at Sundance for his films "Run" and "The Six Dollar Fifty Man." His feature debut "Shopping" premiered at Sundance and won the Grand Prix at Berlinale. His 2021 short "Datsun," a proof-of-concept for feature "The Blood Moon," premiered at Berlinale and SXSW, winning best short, best director, best actor, and best cinematography at multiple festivals. With 22 wins and 12 nominations spanning Cannes Lions, D&AD, Creative Circle, and The One Show, Mark brings a distinctive blend of sensitivity, humor, and craft to every project.