Imanol Ruiz De Lara Joins Eleanor

​Eleanor has welcomed Imanol Ruiz de Lara to its US roster, a Spanish filmmaker whose commercial work is defined by choreographed movement, visual storytelling, and a surreal sense of humour.

Imanol’s films are built with intention. His approach combines meticulous camera work, bold casting, and highly considered styling and art direction, all working in rhythm to create performance-led worlds. The result is work that feels cinematic and visually striking, while remaining clear and commercially sharp.

Born in Madrid and raised in Gijón as the son of actors, Ruiz de Lara’s background in performance is foundational to his directing style. He began his career in fashion film, collaborating with platforms and brands including Vogue, Yves Saint Laurent, and Adolfo Domínguez. His Vogue fashion films Haunted by Love and Europa II earned Best Fashion Film and Best Director awards at international festivals including the La Jolla International Film Festival and the Canadian International Film Festival.

He made his commercial debut with Collisions for Heart Ibiza, which earned a Cannes Lions shortlist and marked his entry into advertising. His commercial work shows a strong command of tone and pacing, with choreography and blocking used to support performance and narrative clarity.

Alongside his commercial work, Ruiz de Lara has written and directed three short films that have received over 200 official selections at international festivals qualifying for the Goya and Academy Awards, with more than 70 awards in total. This narrative experience continues to inform his commercial work through a focus on performance and structure.

Joining forces with ELEANOR in the US marks a natural next step as Ruiz de Lara expands his commercial presence in the American market. “I’m very excited to begin this new chapter with Eleanor and to be part of the team,” said Ruiz de Lara. “It’s the perfect place to take on new and exciting challenges.”

On the signing, ELEANOR president Sophie Gold said, “Imanol brings an incredible level of precision to his work. Every element is choreographed, but it never feels rigid. His films are playful, visually confident, and built with real control, which makes him a strong partner for brands looking to do something distinctive.”

Imanol Ruiz de Lara will be represented by ELEANOR in the United States across commercial and branded projects.