Director Savannah O’Leary Joins SixTwentySix
Award-winning independent LA/NYC creative studio SixTwentySix has signed Savannah O’Leary, the Toronto-born, Brooklyn-based filmmaker known for her poised, playful, and precise storytelling. The move follows the studio’s recent acquisition of boutique production company SLMBR PRTY, marking a significant expansion of SixTwentySix’s creative footprint and bi-coastal reach.
Drawing from her documentary and post-production background, O’Leary brings an instinct for authentic human beats and an editor’s eye for rhythm—whether in anthemic campaigns or intimate profile pieces.
Her directorial career began with the acclaimed documentary shorts “Gone Viral” for The New Yorker and “The Making of Panthera” for DAZED Magazine, both praised for their mix of humor and heart.
Since then, she has directed campaigns for Function Health, Air Force Reserve, Huggies, eBay Motors, Marine Corps, Comcast, and BMO, while continuing to develop socially conscious work. Among her recent highlights are impact-driven campaigns for Merit America, which spotlighted working adults rising out of low-wage jobs into family-sustaining careers, and for Trillium Gift of Life Foundation in Canada, which celebrated organ transplant recipients whose lives were transformed by the gift of donation. Her portfolio of work has been recognized by the 1.4 Awards, Short of the Week, Director’s Library, Vimeo Staff Picks, and the Webbys, underscoring her ability to merge refined craft with emotional resonance.
“What the team has built at SixTwentySix is really impressive,” says O’Leary. “They’ve cultivated a roster and brand relationships rooted in craft, with an eye on the future. Their company vibe is very familial, and I’m excited to be in the mix with such an inspired group.”
SixTwentySix Co-Founders Jake Krask and Austin Barbera shared their enthusiasm for Savannah’s signing.
“Savannah has a rare ability to merge documentary sensitivity with cinematic precision,” says Krask. “She understands how to make human stories feel elevated by balancing warmth, style, and intention.”
Barbera adds, “She’s an incredible fit for where we’re headed, expanding our creative voice while staying true to the craft-first ethos that defines SixTwentySix.”
O’Leary’s signing caps a transformative season for SixTwentySix, marked by the company’s expansion into New York under Executive Producer Sarah Donnenberg and national recognition for co-founders Austin Barbera and Jake Krask, who were named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in Advertising & Marketing, and continue to steer the company’s evolution across commercial, branded, and narrative storytelling fueled by a shared commitment to craft and culture.
O’Leary continues to be represented by Alfredo Films in Canada.
