John X. Carey and Aqsa Altaf are a writer-director duo based in Los Angeles, known for emotionally resonant films and commercials that fuse their distinct perspectives. Aqsa’s voice is shaped by her migrant upbringing in Kuwait and her immigration to the U.S., while John’s stems from a literary and humanistic lens rooted in his Midwestern upbringing.

John rose to prominence with Dove’s Real Beauty Sketches—the most-viewed internet commercial of all time—earning over 30 Cannes Lions, a Titanium Grand Prix, and a DGA nomination. Aqsa, a Sundance Fellow, directed American Eid for Disney+, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and was a Cannes Lions Young Director Award nominee.

Together, they craft grounded, visually rich work for brands like Apple, Gatorade, and Under Armour. Their SXSW-premiering short Awayy is in development as a feature, while Mirage—supported by Sundance and the Gotham Film Market—explores themes of migration and identity. Their recent Crayola campaign, which reunited people with their childhood artwork, won three Cannes Lions and a D&AD Award, showcasing their passion for grassroots, human-first storytelling.

Check out their individual websites: Aqsa Altaf and John X. Carey 

FEATURE FILM & TV REPRESENTATION

UTA | Jason Burns
Linden Entertainment | Trent Hubbard

COMMERCIAL REPRESENTATION

Tool of North America (USA) | Michelle Towse
HunkyDory (UK) | John Doris