A Pop Star, an Oscar-Winning Director and a Brand With a Long Walk Behind It
Sabrina Carpenter has a new short film out, and the man behind the camera is one of Hollywood’s best-known directors. The film was unveiled on November 10, 2026. It was made as part of an ongoing global partnership between Carpenter and Johnnie Walker, and it was directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Damien Chazelle.
Carpenter is a two-time GRAMMY Award and Emmy Award winner and a record-breaking global superstar. The film tells what is being called her “Keep Walking” story. It looks at how she has grown as an artist, at the confident style that has become her signature, and at what comes next in her career.
It is a notable pairing. Chazelle is known for big, ambitious movies, and Carpenter is one of the biggest names in music right now. The film is also the latest step in a partnership that has already been running for several years.
What the Film Is About
According to the announcement, the film is about progress, confidence and creative self-expression. It follows Carpenter in what the release describes as “main-character mode” while the world around her keeps changing. There are celebrations, festivities and plenty of surprise moments along the way.
The film doesn’t try to be a straight biography. It shows her playful, irreverent side and her habit of doing things her own way. The release says her confidence and her instinct to do things differently come through clearly. The result is described as a fresh, distinctly Sabrina take on the Keep Walking idea.
Keep Walking is the long-running platform at the heart of the Johnnie Walker brand. It is built around the spirit of personal progress, the idea that you keep moving forward. The film applies that idea to Carpenter’s own path, from where she started to where she is headed next.
A Look Inspired by French New Wave Cinema
The visual style is one of the more interesting parts of the project. The film draws on the effortless cool and rebellious spirit of French New Wave cinema. That movement is remembered for breaking the rules, moving fast and favoring spontaneity over polish.
The filmmakers have mixed that style with a more sophisticated, cinematic look. The finished film combines spontaneity, freedom and playful rule-breaking with careful craft. It’s a mix that suits both the director and the star.
Why the Style Fits
Carpenter has a reputation for playful, unexpected moves, and the New Wave approach lets that come through on screen. The film aims to feel loose and alive rather than stiff or overproduced. In the release’s words, the story is one of movement, self-expression and progress.
The Director: Damien Chazelle
Chazelle is the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind four well-known movies: La La Land, Whiplash, First Man and Babylon. Film fans will know his work for its big visual ambition and its energetic musical sequences. His stories often explore ambition, creativity and the pursuit of greatness.
Those themes line up well with a film about an artist’s evolution. The release says Chazelle brings his signature cinematic style to Carpenter’s story. The film was produced by Superprime Films.
Carpenter says she has admired his work for a long time. In her words: “Working with Johnnie Walker and Damien was such a creative adventure. We wanted to create a true cinematic experience that was playful, unexpected, and full of personality. I’m a long time fan of Damien’s work - so it was exciting to bring this visual world to life alongside him. This film felt like the perfect way to tell the Keep Walking story and capture the energy of this next chapter.”
How This Fits Into the Partnership
The new film is not a one-off. It continues a multi-year partnership between Johnnie Walker and Carpenter. Earlier steps in that partnership included the launch of her signature Go Go Highball, a cocktail created for the collaboration. A limited edition Johnnie Walker Black Label bottle inspired by her style was also released.
According to the announcement, those products are rolling out in Europe, Australia and North America now. More markets are expected to follow over the coming months. The film is described as the next chapter in the collaboration, bringing Carpenter’s energy and the spirit of Keep Walking to life on screen.
Part of a Bigger Music Push
Carpenter’s film also sits inside a wider effort. The collaboration is part of the Johnnie Walker global music platform. The platform is built around artists who push creative boundaries and bring their own perspective to culture.
That puts the project in a larger story about how big brands and musicians work together. Instead of a simple endorsement, this one has been built out over several years. It now includes a film from a director with major awards to his name.
About the Brand Behind the Film
Johnnie Walker is the world’s number one Scotch whisky brand, according to IWSR data. It is enjoyed by people in more than 160 countries. The company says that since the time of its founder, John Walker, the people who craft its whiskies have put flavor and quality above all else.
The range today includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Gold Label Reserve and Blue Label. Together, the whiskies sell more than 22 million cases a year, based on IWSR figures for 2024. The brand is also named the number one best-selling Scotch whisky and the number one trending Scotch whisky brand, according to Drinks International in 2025.
The Company Behind It
Johnnie Walker is owned by Diageo, a global beverage alcohol company with brands across spirits and beer. Its portfolio also includes Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Its products are sold in nearly 180 countries. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. Diageo also points readers to its global responsible drinking resource, DRINKiQ.com.
The Takeaway
The film puts a rising pop powerhouse together with a director known for big, ambitious storytelling. It borrows its look from French New Wave cinema and its theme from a brand idea about constant forward motion. For Carpenter, it is a chance to tell her own story on her own terms, with a filmmaker she has long admired.
Whether or not you follow pop music, the project is a reminder that creative partnerships can go well beyond a single ad or a single song. The film is out now, and more details and media are available through the brand’s press contact at johnniewalker@smarts.agency.
