)
Stept Signs director duo Hot Icarus
)
London-based duo bring a bold visual sensibility, instinct-led storytelling, and culturally sharp perspective across sport, fashion, and brand storytelling.
Creative and production studio Stept has signed London-based director duo Hot Icarus for commercial representation, continuing the studio's investment in globally-minded filmmakers who bring fresh approaches to craft, storytelling, and technology.
Named after the Greek myth of the boy who flew too close to the sun, Hot Icarus have built a reputation for work that balances invention with clarity, combining strong visual composition, sound-driven storytelling, and a sharp understanding of how ideas translate to screen. With backgrounds spanning photography, music, editing, and agency creative direction, the duo take a hands-on, concept-first approach to filmmaking, shaping each project from idea through execution.
The signing comes on the heels of Hot Icarus’ acclaimed campaign for Saucony. Directed by the duo and produced through Stept, The Runners is a four-minute short film built around the brand’s Run as One platform, a meditative, one-shot journey through the people and moments that define Saucony’s community. The film, which world-premiered at an invite-only screening at New York City’s Metrograph theatre, is establishing Hot Icarus as emerging voices capable of delivering work that is both culturally resonant and creatively distinct.
Hot Icarus’ body of work moves fluidly across tone and format, unified by a consistent thread of wit, cultural awareness, and a refusal to take themselves too seriously. This sensibility is paired with a precise, composed approach to craft, where each frame and sequence is intentionally built, and where rhythm, pacing, and sound design play a central role in the storytelling.
Sound and music are foundational to the duo’s process, with many of their projects shaped as much by soundscape and rhythm as by image. Their deep respect for performance and acting also translates into nuanced, character-driven work across categories including sport, fashion, technology, and music. Hot Icarus have collaborated with leading global brands including Adidas, McLaren, and Samsung, creating films that feel contemporary while remaining grounded in a strong, central idea.
“Hot Icarus represents a new generation of directors who are as thoughtful about the idea as they are about the execution. They bring a rare balance of creative instinct, technical fluency, and cultural perspective that aligns perfectly with how we’re building our roster - filmmakers who can navigate across mediums and deliver standout work for modern brands.” said Joe Biggins, Managing Director, Stept Studios.
“We’ve had a long relationship with Stept, and they’ve backed us for years in a way that’s always felt genuine. There’s a lot to be said for trusting a director’s vision, not just in the work itself, but in how it gets made. Stept really understands that, and they’ve built the kind of relationships and support around us that allow us to keep pushing things forward and making films in the way we believe in.” Wij and Giles of Hot Icarus shared.
The signing reflects Stept’s continued focus on expanding its director roster with diverse voices and global perspectives, complementing a lineup that includes emerging talent alongside established filmmakers working across commercial, branded, and entertainment projects.
