Los Angeles-based production company friends & family, founded by Executive Producer Scott Kaplan, continues to curate a cutting-edge directorial roster with the signing of trailblazing Brazilian directing collective, YOUTH.
Over the past 10 years, YOUTH, comprised of João Machado, Yuri Maranhão, and Eduardo Lubiazi, has been at the forefront of LATAM advertising and filmmaking, most notably directing campaigns for global brands like Pepsi, Volkswagen, and Budweiser, to name a few. Their approach to filmmaking stems from the belief that it is possible to achieve great results creating a visual and narrative story with a core belief that the strength of a film can come from simple elements. The trio cited, “we’ve always tried to bring something surprising to every project and show our clients that anything is possible through courageous decisions regarding the casting and the choice of location.”
As a decorated director collective, YOUTH has made a splash in South America, but this new signing with friends & family marks a pivotal move in the collective’s foreseeable impact into the US market – a dream career move to check off their list. The three directors met at a time when they were feeling creatively limited and were all connected in some way to the world of arts, audiovisual, and music. In turn, they decided to start working together, filming and developing projects for small clients in their city. Each of their varied backgrounds mixes production, post-production, cel animation, and multi-directional skills that bring new and practical solutions to projects – a rare combined skill set within their market that allows them to have a relevant and realistic approach to each campaign.
The collective has directed everything from commercials to award-winning films, becoming true tastemakers for a new generation of Latin filmmakers. Their work has an undeniable visual appeal that is marked by street culture and transgression in the arts, music, and cinematography. “Creating collectively has always been our reality. This has shaped the way we see the world and make decisions. Working in a group directly changes the final result that is on a screen and for us, it was always important that the process had this plural approach.” said the trio.
YOUTH’s decision to join friends & family came at the perfect time. They continued, “entering the US market is always attractive for any director from another part of the world and this has always been a goal in our career. We believe that this became something possible and concrete after the first conversations with Scott (Kaplan).”
With this new signing, the trio hopes to search for projects that allow their vision and style of work to manifest themselves in a free and organic way. “friends & family recognizes this in us and can connect us with a universe that also wants this type of work. We believe that in this business, the true connection between people is what can generate new and incredible results. From the beginning, we felt this energy in the conversations with friends & family, and our intuition leads us to believe that the mix between our styles and values will create a comfortable space for the creativity needed and so sought after by this industry.”
Founder/EP Scott Kaplan added, “We have been thrilled and inspired by YOUTH’s work over the last several years. Their distinct eye and trailblazing attitude and inspiration makes them a perfect addition to our roster. We’re looking forward to what the future will bring for these guys and are proud to be a part of their journey to break into the US market.”
