With more ethnic diversity than a gallery in Paris, Akin Omotoso is better known too. And because a leading role on South Africa’s most successful soapie – and starring with Leo in Blood Diamond (yeah, it’s totes like first name basis and stuff and stuff) barely scratched the surface of this talent-storm – Akin flexes the pen and calls the shots behind the camera too. It works. And well! There’s that Standard Bank Artist of the Year Award, a Best Director at the South African Film Television Award, and invitations to show at both Cannes and Toronto’s film festivals to prove it. His perceptive passion for all things production makes Akin a seriously safe bet for brilliance – hashtag amazing, hashtag director. Talk to Akin about your next TVC brief. Even if it is just to hear him talking back to you.