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Alex Tiernan is a self-taught film and commercials director fascinated by subcultures, myth, collective memory and the ways these shape us. An itinerant upbringing and early career zigzagging through journalism, illustration, copywriting and late nights in the kitchen pits, sharpened his instinct for stories of outsiders and hidden worlds. Often collaborating with real communities on location, his films blend elements of documentary and fiction and have been recognised for their sensitive portrayals and visceral style.
His work has appeared on Dazed, NOWNESS and Director’s Library, gathering honours from the 1.4 Awards, Cannes YDA, Shots Awards, UKMVAs and Vimeo Staff Picks, amongst others. His recent film 'The Ritual' — a feverish portrait of streetball in a Filipino cemetery settlement — premiered at the 2025 Brussels Short Film Festival and won Best Documentary Short Film at Mirada Corta. Alex is currently based in London and works globally.
For enquiries:
hello@alextiernan.com | Instagram | Vimeo
2025
Bogotá Short Film Festival BOGOSHORTS | 'The Ritual' | Official Selection: Periodístico
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon | 'Ciranda' | Complexo Brasil Exhibit
SFO Museum, San Francisco | 'This Is Freedom Road' | Video Arts Exhibit
DokuBaku International Doc Film Festival, Baku | 'The Ritual' | Official Selection: Int. Competition
Sole Luna Doc Film Festival, Palermo | 'The Ritual' | Official Selection: Int. Competition
Concorto Film Festival, Piacenza | 'The Ritual' | Special Programme: Focus Philippines
Mirada Corta Short Film Festival, CDMX | 'The Ritual' | Winner: Best Documentary Short Film
Brussels Short Film Festival | 'The Ritual' | Official Selection: Int. Competition
2024
Vimeo | 'The Ritual' | Staff Pick
1.4 Awards | 'The Ritual' | Shortlist: Best Personal Project
Director’s Library | 'The Ritual'
NOWNESS | 'The Ritual'
2022
GQ Brazil | 'Ciranda' | ‘Os 6 maiores videoclipes brasileiros de todos os tempos’
Cannes YDA | 'This Is Freedom Road' | Finalist: Changing the World Frame by Frame
Shots Awards (EMEA) | 'This Is Freedom Road' | Finalist: Best Charity Film
1.4 Awards | 'This Is Freedom Road' | Winner: Best Personal Project (silver)
Kendal Mountain Festival, UK | 'This Is Freedom Road' | Official Selection
Shots Magazine | 'This Is Freedom Road' | ‘Alex Tiernan rides Freedom Road’
David Reviews | 'This Is Freedom Road' | 5 Stars
Director’s Library | 'This Is Freedom Road'
Dazed | 'This Is Freedom Road'
2020
Music Video Social Club | 'Ciranda' | ‘The making of Heavy Baile’s award-winning video’
Berlin Music Video Awards | 'Ciranda' | Finalist: Best Low Budget
2019
Brazil m-v-f- Awards | 'Ciranda' | Winner: Best Choreography
UK Music Video Awards | 'Ciranda' | Finalist: Best Choreography
Shiny Awards | 'Ciranda' | Shortlist
David Reviews | 'Ciranda' | 5 Stars
Booooooom TV | 'Ciranda'
NOWNESS | 'Ciranda'
Bogotá Music Video Festival | 'Yellow Jumpsuits' | Official Selection: Fashion & Dance Films
Dance Film Festival Prague | 'Yellow Jumpsuits' | Official Selection
2017
AVDP International Dance Film Festival, Athens | 'Yellow Jumpsuits' | Official Selection
1.4 Awards | 'Yellow Jumpsuits' | Shortlist
NOWNESS | 'Yellow Jumpsuits'