Knucklehead director Charlotte Regan admits to being “performance-obsessed.” And it shows in the characters that come to life in her work, which includes the tale of a boy who endures the pain of his sick mother by imagining a day of wild, spirited adventure with her in Mumford & Sons’ music video for “Beloved”; the quick-fire storytelling in a Car for You spot that shows time passing and life changing as a young woman sits in the driver’s seat; and Stereophonics’ poignant tale for “Fly Like an Eagle,” inspired by the coming-out story of frontman Kelly Jones’ daughter.

Regan’s work takes a gut-wrenching turn in her short film “My Boy,” starring British character actor Sam Spruell as a father on a mad search for his son—until we realize the truth behind his actions. “All my stuff is about human connection,” Regan says. “The stories, locations and style can change, but as long as human connection is at the center of it, then it's something I feel comfortable doing.”