Aqsa Altaf and John X. Carey are a Los Angeles–based writer-director duo known for emotionally resonant films and commercials that fuse distinct lived perspectives with a shared commitment to human-first storytelling. Their work is grounded, visually rich, and driven by character.

Aqsa, a Sundance Fellow, was raised in Kuwait as the daughter of South Asian Muslim migrant workers before immigrating to the U.S. in 2013. Her work is shaped by themes of displacement, belonging, family, and cultural identity. She wrote and directed AMERICAN EID for Disney’s Launchpad series, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and is currently streaming on Disney+.

John grew up in a small Ozark town in Missouri, the son of writers who left the city to live off the land, shaping a literary and deeply humanistic approach to storytelling. He rose to prominence directing DOVE’S REAL BEAUTY SKETCHES which became the most-viewed internet commercial of its time, earning more than 150 million views in its first month, multiple Cannes Lions including the Titanium Grand Prix, and a DGA Best Director nomination.

Together, Aqsa and John have directed award-winning campaigns for Apple, Under Armour, Guinness, Coca-Cola, Gatorade, and others, earning multiple Cannes Lions and honors from D&AD, The One Show, the Clio Awards, and AICP.

Their narrative work includes short film HEAT, developed by Amazon Studios as a television series, and AWAYY, which premiered at SXSW. Their feature film AUGUST 4 was selected for the Gotham Film Market and is being produced by Magnetic Labs. Their feature film MIRAGE, supported by Malala Yousafzai, was also selected for the Gotham Film Market and has received support from the Sundance Institute.

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