Talented Director Jeff Labbe Passes Away

We’ve just learnt some very sad news: that writer, director and photographer Jeff Labbe has passed away, aged 53 years old.

Signed to Academy Films in the UK and Furlined in the US, Labbe was known for his infectious laugh and rebellious streak.

Throughout his career, he had garnered many awards and great respect across the industry, scooping up numerous D&AD Pencils and Cannes Lions. Even his first works for Levis, Secrets & Lies and Barnardos’ Break The Cycle (below) scored him various accolades.

Before embarking on a career as a director, Labbe tried his hand as a fine artist and rodeo right, before entering ad agencies as a graphic designer, through Wieden + Kennedy Portland, Chiat/Day San Fran and Leo Burnett Chicago.

The New Orleans-born director was been survived by his wife, two children and two brothers, who have launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his son’s continued education. At the time of writing this, the page had exceeded its $5,000 target and reached over $28,000.  

As posted on Academy Films' blog earlier today, "The industry has lost a true maverick and we have lost a true friend."