Jonas Åkerlund


Photo: Henrik Halvarsson

Jonas Åkerlund is an internationally awarded director of feature films, documentaries, music videos, commercials, and stage shows. He is known for his distinctive storytelling and visually driven signature style that often pushes the boundaries of the status quo.

Åkerlund has directed music videos for the likes of Madonna, Lady Gaga, U2, The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Pink, Jennifer Lopez, Metallica, Paul McCartney, Ozzy Osbourne, Duran Duran, Robbie Williams, Christina Aguilera, Smashing Pumpkins, Lenny Kravitz and Maroon 5 to name a few. His current music videos include Fergie’s A Little Work, Queens of The Stone Age’s The Way You Used To Do, U2’s You’re The Best Thing About Me and Kesha’s Praying.

Åkerlund’s music videos have earned him several Grammy Awards, an Icon Award, MTV Video Music Awards, the prestigious MVPA Hall of Fame Award including an MVPA win for the music video for Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi, and most recently a UK music Video Award for best concert film (Rammstein:Paris). He received his third Grammy award for Best Music Film for Paul McCartney’s Live Kisses. His recent contribution to Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade earned an Emmy and Grammy nomination. His concert film Rammstein:Paris premiered earlier this year and other concert films include the both Emmy and Grammy nominated Beyoncé & Jay-Z – On the run (HBO) and Taylor Swift’s The 1989 World Tour Live (Apple TV.)

On January 25, 2019, Jonas brought his unique, highly stylized auteur approach to Netflix’s graphic-novel-adapted film Polar starring Mads Mikkelsen, Vanessa Hudgens, Katheryn Winnick, Matt Lucas and Richard Dreyfuss which aired to over 130 million subscribers and landed the #1 spot on iMDb MovieMeter for two consecutive weeks. Additionally, Jonas’ feature film Lords of Chaos starring Emory Cohen, Rory Culkin, Jack Kilmer and Sky Ferreira premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2018. Described as “a pitch-perfect black metal dramedy” in Variety, the film went on to receive a worldwide theatrical release and streaming Video-On-Demand on various platforms the following year, generating an instant cult following and rave reviews. His other filmography includes Small Apartments starring Matt Lucas, Billy Crystal, Johnny Knoxville, James Caan, amongst other prominent actors. His first film, Spun, starring Jason Schwartzmann, the late Britany Murphy, John Leguizamo, Mena Suvari and Mickey Rourke, has garnered a cult following since its initial release. He also directed Horsemen, starring Dennis Quaid and Zhang Ziyi. Additionally, Jonas has directed several documentaries and short films ranging on subjects of anti-racism, Behind Enemy Lines and anti-drugs Try, to the award winning documentaries about Madonna, I Am Going To Tell You A Secret and The Confessions Tour. Among his latest work is the concert film Rammstein: Paris and the long awaited documentary Roxette Diaries.

Åkerlund’s commercial work has earned Addy, Cannes Gold Lion and Cannes Grand Prix Awards. He has directed commercials for the likes of Dior, Hugo Boss, Sony, Crest, Avon, Dell, Volkswagen, Lexus, Virgin, Coca Cola, Revlon, Garnier, Smirnoff, Ikea, Panasonic, Adidas, Beyoncé for o2 and H&M, amongst others.

With a love of the arts, Jonas endeavors to explore all facets and mediums in the art world. His art projects have been exhibited in Frankfurt, Seoul and Stockholm. He also created and directed a circus in Stockholm. His still photography has been featured on numerous album covers as well as magazines such as The Face, Elle, Flair, and V magazine to name a few. Åkerlund directed Place, featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Ana Laguna for television, made an introduction film Abba World dedicated to the famous Swedish pop group Abba, and collaborated with well known artist Francesco Vezzoli to direct Moca, a film about the musical held at the Los Angeles Moca museum’s 30th anniversary which featured Lady Gaga and the Ballet Russo.