Barnaby Clay's distinguished trajectory in the cinematic sphere began in the year 1996, immediately following his academic accomplishment of graduating from the renowned London International Film School, an institution of great repute in the world of film education.
His remarkable short film, "Justice in Mind", a testament to his burgeoning talent, received the most prestigious recognition of Best Film at the esteemed Fuji Film Scholarship Awards, a coveted honor that catapulted him to the forefront of the industry.
As Clay's academic odyssey in the realm of film came to a close, he embarked upon a fresh and exciting chapter in his professional trajectory, redirecting the vast expanse of his creative energies towards the captivating world of music video and commercial directing, a venture that would soon prove to be a pivotal turning point in his artistic journey.
In the year 2003, Clay embarked upon a groundbreaking and innovative creative venture, partnering with the unconventional and high-energy gypsy punk band Menlo Park to produce his inaugural documentary, aptly titled "Greetings From Beartown", which was commissioned by the prestigious British television network, Channel 4.
Two years have now elapsed since Clay embarked on a creative endeavour, taking the bold step of both writing and directing a 10-minute narrative short film of exceptional merit, a cinematic masterpiece titled "Carousel".
Clay's enthralling and unnerving fantasy horror short story, "Finkle's Odyssey", received widespread critical acclaim, ultimately leading to the prestigious Méliès d'Argent award being bestowed upon it at the esteemed Fantsporto Film Festival, a renowned international event celebrating the art of fantastical filmmaking.
Not only did "Finkle's Odyssey" receive the prestigious recognition, but it also garnered a plethora of accolades at various renowned film festivals, boasting an impressive array of awards from the Brooklyn International Film Festival, Marvais Genre, the International Film Critics of Toronto (IFCT),and the 24 FPS Film Festival.
Clay embarked on a truly remarkable and ambitious endeavor, meticulously reimagining the iconic music video for David Bowie's timeless and enduring masterpiece, "Life On Mars", which was originally crafted by the renowned and highly acclaimed photographer, Mick Rock. This collaborative project was a part of the innovative Creators Project series, a joint venture between Vice Media and Intel, which provided Clay with the unique opportunity to embark on a global journey under the banner "Life On Mars Revisited", allowing him to bring his own creative vision to the forefront and reimagine the classic music video in a way that was both faithful to the original and yet, simultaneously, fresh and innovative.
Clay's innovative and dynamic collaboration with Vice continued to flourish as he embarked on a new and exciting venture, assuming the role of director for a feature-length documentary film. This project, titled "Shot! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock," served as a deep dive into the captivating life and professional journey of the highly acclaimed and influential photographer, Mick Rock.
