Caviar signs Dawit N.M

Academy Award-winning independent production company Caviar has signed director and visual storyteller Dawit N.M. for U.S. commercial and music video representation. 

Born in Ethiopia and raised in the United States, his global perspective shines in his work across film and photography, spanning a broad spectrum of stories, styles, and spaces. Known for his distinctive approach to storytelling, N.M. has brought his photography skills to major media outlets like The New Yorker, The Wire, and Interscope, among others. 

Transitioning to filmmaking, he has directed projects for artists including Mereba and Charlie Puth, and athletes including legendary basketball star Stephen Curry. His short film Mereba: Planet U garnered acclaim, earning him recognition as an emerging director at the American Black Film Festival.

He most enjoys collaborating with brands for a cause, such as with Pure Leaf for The No Grants campaign–which encouraged audiences to apply for the grant that offers the financial freedom to say “no” more in the workplace–and We Built This Town for Tearfund, a charity that tackles poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters, and challenging injustice. His frank storytelling style made him a household name from a very young age; now with Caviar, he wants to examine the burnout epidemic among young creatives and how to maintain a directing career into retirement.

Notes Caviar Executive Producer Salim El Arja, “It’s been incredible to watch Dawit N.M.’s journey since we first collaborated years ago. His ability to capture cinematic, slice-of-life moments through a lens deeply rooted in photography is unmatched. Dawit’s creative perspective, which not only resonates with icons like Stephen Curry but also highlights his natural ease in collaborating with global celebrities, perfectly aligns with Caviar’s ethos while introducing something entirely fresh. We’re thrilled to have him on board and can’t wait to support him in bringing his visionary projects to life.”

Adds N.M., “I had the good fortune to collaborate with Salim at Couscous, and reuniting here feels like serendipity. I want to reconnect with my narrative filmmaking roots and am excited to partner with Caviar to explore personal stories.”

While studying at Old Dominion University, he developed a passion for photography and launched his first major photobook project, Don't Make Me Look Like the Kids On TV. The project marks a full-circle moment in his life. It captures the essence of Ethiopian culture through a raw, unfiltered lens, challenging the stereotype-driven portrayals often associated with his homeland.