Camila Zapiola has signed with Dear Friend in Canada.

4 February 2026

Canadian production house Dear Friend has added the immensely capable director Camila Zapiola to its roster of talent, and the company says she fills a key gap.

According to Dear Friend, Camila Zapiola fills a key gap in their roster which complements the more conceptual comedy voices with an approach that speaks directly to national brands. They are very excited about Zapiola's ability to coax brilliant performances which are grounded in a naturalistic style which is both relatable and accessible.

In this lovely ad encouraging seasonal workers to consider working for DoorDAsh instead of dressing up as elves in department stores in dealing with furious shoppers. its use of musical theatre is both clever (let's face it, no one needs temporary work more than those with these kinds of aspirations) and effective because of Zapiola's masterful handling of her performers.

It's an execution that completely backs Dear Friend's claim that Zapiola "brings the confidence and consistency of a veteran director" to the party, and that she "offers a steady hand in shaping editorial rhythm, guiding actors, and maintaining tonal clarity across every spot".

In this commercial for Frontier Cable, we see a different side of Zapiola's directing style as she marshals intimate performances from a pair of young actors capturing a moment of supreme awkwardness. The comedy is dry, and that's asking a lot of performers of this age. It's a confident director who can get this right... and she does

An even younger child is the start of this super commercial for Volkswagen which has its young protagonist protecting their hands which is touched by an actress from a superhero movie. His sense of wonder at his own apparent superpower in the face of emergency is something to behold. The really impressive thing here though is how much this feels like an excerpt from the type of movie it is referencing, and demonstrates Zapiola's skill in a different genre.

This reflects what most excites Dear Friend about their new acquisition. As good as her work is, they are psyched to see what she does next because of her direction of travel. They rightly point out that she has a remarkable focus on the subtleties of everyday life, and has an extraordinary ability to find humour in small, human moments while leaning into more emotionally driven storytelling. They feel this is perfect for a growing appetite in the Canadian market for smart, genuine comedy.

Dear Friend also feels that Zapiola is "a natural cultural fit within the company" because she is "collaborative, fun and a bright presence in the room who brings a clear point of view into the briefing process, pairing charm with intention in a way that reflects the company's own ethos".