Steve Won

WATCH THE FULL FILM ON YOUTUBE Link in Bio “I realized how people from my own country treat me differently because of my darker skin.” — @ikit_agudo , Philippine National Surf Athlete MORENA tells the uplifting story of the Philippine National Surf Athlete Ikit Agudo, who overcame the pressure to blend into a society obsessed with skin whitening. Within the ocean, she found happiness, strength, and pride in her roots. Inspiring young girls around the world to embrace who they truly are. In the Philippines, skin-whitening remains a billion-peso industry, a legacy of colonial beauty ideals that for generations have led many to neglect their true identity and natural beauty. 🎬 Director @steve_won 🔮 Production @_kaizenstudio 🎥 DoP @camillerdp 🧠 Producer @igor_mclovin | Exec. Producer @kerstinreulengmbh 🚁 Aerial Cinematography @manoletyet 🎛 Sound Design @jinglejunglestudios | @alessandromarinelli___ Music Editor @samcareymusic 🎨 Color Grading @juliarossetticolor 🏄‍♀️ Starring @ikit_agudo @apingagudo , Jelyn Forcadilla, Hannah Forcadilla #proudmorena #morena #storytelling #surf #filipina #shortfilm #KaizenStudio #philippines #siargao #colorism #beauty #surfing #ocean

After yesterdays standing ovation premiere in Cologne, I’m super proud and happy to finally release my new film about Majid Kessab @majidk , in collaboration with Red Bull. Directing this short documentary became a super personal and deep experience also for myself. When talking with Majid during our shootings, I often had to think about my own friends who share a similar feeling than Majid. As they have roots from different cultures and also a feeling of a lost connection to their original homeland. So working on Majids film also helped me to learn more about their stories and feelings. This gave a lot of meaning to the process and is one of the reasons why this film became super authentic and somehow pure. Another reason is Majids authenticity and trust into the process. As well as the trust by the brand Red Bull to do something that isn’t ordinary. Especially Timo Banemann who sometimes had really blind trust into this rollercoaster process. Last but not least, my amazing talented crew! A good film is always a result of high level collaboration. Im super thankful that I know those people and be able to work with them, as everybody of them is a true master in his art. Nothing gives me more drive than working on meaningful projects with people I respect and appreciate in my life. Director of Photography Jonas Schneider @__schneider___ Teaser Edit @pepecsps 2nd Camera @camillerdp Sound Simon Peter @soundguysims Music Composer @insightful ,Hawar Mikael Colorist @juliarossetticolor Sound Design Marco Schnebel Featuring Majid Kessab, Mahir Kessab Production @_kaizenstudio Executive Producer Andi Tillmann @anditillmann Producer Timo Banemann @timo_sby Client @redbull Assistent Editor Georg Bungard @gbungard Directed and Edited by 🐒 #Film #Filmproduction #Director #Shortfilm #Documentary #Documentaries #Majid #MajidKessab #Krefeld #RedBull #RedBullDance #Dance #Kurdistan #Kurd #Iraq #BrandedContent #BrandedEntertainment #SteveWon #KaizenStudio #Storytelling #roots

Our new short film PANJE won SILVER in CANNES at YDA (@youngdirectoraward ) in the category "Changing the world frame by frame". 🙏🏻✨♥️ The film was made to support the charity foundation @thepanjeproject to highlight their important work of saving the future generation and women of Zanzibar from drowning. Their important work demands on donations. Please check out their site and support them on their mission. At least please share it to highlight their work. ✊🏻 Thank you YDA for the award.🙏🏻 I wanna thank my team ♥️ and Rocket Film 🚀to believe and support this important project. This was the result of teamwork. Of amazing individual crafts. Films of YDA inspired me since a decade ago, when I started out doing films. They showed me what is possible with the magic of film and kept me hungry and humble to always be a student of the digital cinema. This award, especially for this category, motivates me to spent more time in the future, telling stories that need to be told. To inspire people by inspirational stories. The best of this is the excitement for the future adventures, journeys and magic moments of filmmaking I can share with my friends. 🎥💯 Thanks to god for this opportunity. ✨ The incredible team ♥️: Production Company: @rocketfilmzurich Director: Steve Won @steve_won DoP: Jonas Schneider @__schneider___ Editor: Georg Bungard @gbungard Sound: Simon Peter Assistant Editor: Mia Salazar @miathebighead Music: @insightful Sound Design: Marco Schnebel Producer: Kerstin Reulen, Ricardo Colacurcio @ricoriatsch , Christopher Novak Coloring: Joseph Bicknell @josephbicknell | Company 3 @company_3 Cover Design: @gunesalpman | @_iamstudio_ Local Assistant: Muhammad, Iss-Haka Hussein Abdulla, Ali Sheha Ndunde, Majid Badru Abound supporting partners: @company_3 3 , @_iamstudio_ , @octamas_ , @royalfilmcompany @youngdirectoraward #yda #youngdirectoraward #cannes #brandedcontent #charity #film #filmmaking #award #company3 #rocketfilm #kaizenstudio #stevewon #filmfestival #filmproduction #unitednations #un #drowningprevention #who #zanzibar #uziisland #tanzania #documentary

In a world flooded with content, what makes people actually feel something? Together with award winning director Steve Won, we’re hosting a Storytelling Masterclass for content creators, filmmakers, photographers, creative entrepreneurs, agency creatives and brand teams who want to go beyond trends, templates and surface level content and learn how to create work with real emotional impact. From cinematic storytelling and emotional resonance to authenticity, creative direction and storytelling in the age of AI, this workshop is designed for creators who want to create work that truly connects. Steve Won is the founder of KAIZEN STUDIO and has directed films and branded content for brands including Red Bull, Nike, BMW, Vogue and Warner Music. His work has received multiple Cannes Young Director Awards as well as Vimeo Staff Pick and NOWNESS recognition. Topics include: • The anatomy of powerful storytelling • Creating emotional connection through content • Storytelling in the age of AI • Behind the scenes insights from real productions • Live Q&A and networking 📍@circles.coliving 🎟 Limited to 30 participants Early Bird tickets now available via link in bio.

la dulce vida mediterránea ☀️🫒🏖️

I mostly prefer shooting on film. The texture, the grain, the character, the way colors just feel timeless. But it’s not always possible. Budget, logistics, the job doesn’t allow it. I’ve been using film emulation since day one and got some good results to give my digital footage more character. Dehancer is the best one I’ve used so far. Real film stock emulations. Not approximations. It’s become a regular part of my workflow, also when I need to blend digital footage with actual film material or just want my digital footage to have more texture. @dehancer.film Download the demo and try for yourself. Safe 10% with the code STEVEWON #dehancer #filmmaking #photography #cinematography #colorgrading

Happy International Women’s Day. Respect to the women who continue to challenge expectations and create change. This moment is from PANJE, a short documentary we shot in Zanzibar following women of the @thepanjeproject learning how to swim. Winner of YDA Cannes „Changing the World Frame by Frame“ @vimeostaffpicks @nowness pick Production @_kaizenstudio Director @steve_won DoP @__schneider___ Executive Producer @kerstinreulengmbh Editor @gbungard & @mia_salazar___ Colorist @josephbicknell @company_3 Sound Simon Peter Music @insightful #iwd2026 #givetogain #internationalwomensday #iwd #womensday

✨222✨

A few weeks after the release of MORENA, we’re beyond grateful to see the impact this short documentary has had worldwide. What started as a story rooted in the Philippines sparked waves far beyond the island of Siargao. Without any paid media or algorithm boosts, the film reached 1.7+ million organic views and 200,000+ interactions, driven purely by relevance, emotion, and truth. At KAIZEN STUDIO, this is the kind of work we focus on. In a time of content overload and AI-generated noise, we believe real impact comes from human-centered storytelling. Stories that build empathy, spark conversation, and connect people through authenticity. This is the future of branded content we believe in. @_kaizenstudio Storytelling With Soul 🏄🏾‍♀️ @ikit_agudo 📹 @camillerdp #storytelling #filmmaking #filmproduction #brandedcontent #documentary

Meeting @majidk ’s family yesterday brought back beautiful memories from our production days in Kurdistan. If you havent seen the film yet. You can find it on Red Bull TV. „Roots of my Rhythm“ @_kaizenstudio

🎥 Behind The Lens of ‘MORENA’ we sit down with director @steve_won of @_kaizenstudio to hear the story behind the making of his film, the challenges of shooting surf in Siargao, and the inspiration of @ikit_agudo ‘s journey. From battling early mornings, typhus, and editing frustrations, to capturing the heart of Siargao’s surf culture and the pride of Filipino roots, Steve shares how ‘MORENA’ came to life and why it matters for the next generation of young Filipinas. Head to our Stories Of The Sea blog on our website to read the full Q&A with @steve_won 👆🏽 Film Credits 🎥 Director @steve_won Production @_kaizenstudio DOP @camillerdp Producer @igor_mclovin | Exec. Producer @kerstinreulengmbh Aerial Cinematography @manoletyet Sound Design @jinglejunglestudios | @alessandromarinelli___ Colour Grading @juliarossetticolor Starring @ikit_agudo @apingagudo Jelyn Forcadilla, Hannah Forcadilla Watch the full film on YouTube, link is shared in our bio 🌊🇵🇭

In filmmaking, rejection is part of the process. Only a few ideas ever make it to life, the rest end up as archived folders filled with mood boards, sketches, and rough edits that never passed the pitch. Sometimes you give everything to help others feel the vision you see so clearly. But not everyone will align with it, and that’s okay. People don’t hire you to follow trends, they hire you for your perspective. One of my favorite concepts that never went through, was a campaign I pitched for Red Bull’s BREAKING SINCE, just before breaking became part of the Olympics . Red Bull has been supporting breaking culture for over 20 years, long before any brand cared, empowering dancers and shaping a movement full of creativity and power. In my vision, I wanted to set an emotional tribute for Red Bull, expressed in multiple short documentary style reels by the 10 most iconic and impactful dancers. For the final pitch, I edited a quick overnight mood teaser as a prototype for one of those reels - around the legend @bennykimoto from Flying Steps, expressing how Red Bull gave wings to their journey from the streets to the world stage. The idea didn‘t found support. No hard feelings, but I still love this piece and still think it would have turned out as an epic campaign. Shoutout to @redbull & @flyingsteps93 ! The most epic and impactful collaboration in breaking ever. Production @_kaizenstudio Agency @_iamstudio_ #create #filmmaking #filmmaker #director #redbull #breaking #bennykimoto #flyingsteps