Raf Wathion

Director Raf Wathion (°1966) studied animation at the SHIVKV in Genk, Belgium. He started out making eye catching and original idents (both as an animator and director) for Belgian TV shows and channels. In 1988 he took his first steps directing commercials and quickly became a valued member of the Belgian commercial scene. From the very beginning he chose to focus on graphically strong, visual work, winning him a CCB silver award for his remarkable public service film ‘Sleeping Pills’. In 2000, Raf combined this passion for music and visuals, and went on directing pop promo’s. He, very soon, found himself working for major Belgian Bands and labels (Millionaire, Praga Khan, Hooverphonic, Ozark Henry, Zita Swoon, Buscemi Massis,,... ).

In 2005, after taking a year out to make a trip around the world, he was launched on the US market and has since worked for several international clients, delivering high standard visual work. In 2008, he decided to join Czar. The stunning stop motion commercial he did for Electrabel won him the APPE award for best European spot and the Best Direction award at the 2009 CCB awards (Creative Club of Belgium). In 2011 Raf won another CCB award for Best Direction with the ‘Crash’ campaign for Samsonite. In 2013 he directed an animated short DAY_6001 which premiered at Leuven International Short Film Festival. Right after ‘Milk a force of Nature’, a CGI animated spot won on several awards in 2014.

His no-nonsense and down-to-earth attitude, combined with his experience and always keeping an open mind to new ideas and techniques, makes Raf a more than valued Belgian director.