lionel goldstein

Lionel Goldstein is the alias of Belgian directing duo Koen Mortier and Joe Vanhoutteghem. 
In 2001, Koen and Joe decided to have Lionel follow a path that was different from the directing careers each of them had established individually.

Lionel’s world is absurd, sad and funny but yet believable, relatable and quite meaningful at the same time. Lionel often becomes an active partner in shaping the creative concept and writing. He adds absurd, near documentary style elements to emotional situations and characters, allowing the viewers to empathize with the action. Over the years Lionel’s reel has come to encompass a wide range of sharp and witty films that certainly bring a special flavor to the international advertising landscape.

Lionel has won many awards among them 14 Cannes Film Lions, most recently for Equal Payday ‘The Umbilical Cord’ and his 4th Gold in 2021 for Equal Pay Day ‘Eternal Pregnancy’. In 2013 he won a Bronze Lion for his Canal Digital film ‘The Most Fertile Woman In The World’ and in 2005 he won Gold at Cannes for his DEXIA ‘Braille’ film. In 2002 Lionel won a Gold Lion for XBOX “Ear Tennis” with BBH London and in 2003, he won a Golden Lion for the FRISK campaign with Wieden+Kennedy London. In November 2003 Lionel was awarded the BTAA Best Director Award (British Television Advertising Awards) – the highest achievement for a commercial director. In the same year he won Gold at Eurobest for his DE MORGEN film ‘Cocaine’.