Michel Gondry

Michel Gondry grew up with a strong musical influence. His grandfather invented one of the very first synthesizers, the Clavioline, and his father sold electric guitars. His career began in Paris, where he studied graphic arts. He later became the drummer for the band Oui Oui. It was for this same group that he directed his first 16mm videos and discovered a passion for both directing and animation.

He continued his career as a music video director for other music groups in France and soon established himself on the international stage. He aims to bring image and music into perfect osmosis without ever distorting the artist’s work—a unique approach to visual art that is the result of his close collaboration with artists.

In 1993, he met Björk and directed the music video Human Behaviour for her, which won every music award of the time. He went on to direct several videos for Björk, including Bachelorette, as well as others for The Rolling Stones, Daft Punk, Foo Fighters, Terence Trent D’Arby, Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow and Cibo Matto, among others.

His belief that he can find a certain beauty in every person is the guiding principle behind his first advertising film Levi’s Drugstore. With this film, Michel Gondry became the most awarded director in the world for a single commercial.

After directing his Oscar-winning feature film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in 2005, Michel Gondry kept surprising himself with extraordinary ideas and looks forward to bringing his latest dream to life. Michel Gondry has directed deeply personal movies including The Science of Sleep, as well as a love letter to filmmaking: Be Kind, Rewind.

Fourteen years after directing Jim Carrey, their collaboration continued in the acclaimed series Kidding (20 episodes). With more recent French productions Mood Indigo, Microbe & Gasoline and his feature film The Book of Solutions, Michel Gondry has continued to fascinate audiences with his unique craft.

2026 Speakers