Brazilian Production Powerhouse Surreal Hotel Arts Opens New York Headquarters
Surreal Hotel Arts, the São Paulo-based creative production company, today announced the opening of its first international headquarters in New York City, marking a significant expansion into the U.S. market.
The move builds on the studio’s growing international reputation and signals its ambition to bring its distinctive brand of storytelling – rooted in creative freedom and world-class production expertise – directly to brands and agencies across North America.
“We believe in the power of stories that reflect the full diversity of the world,” said Carlão Busato, Co-Founding Partner and CCO at Surreal Hotel Arts. “Brazil has always embraced diversity and has never been afraid of boldness – in color, in sound, in feeling – and this is reflected in our creative mindset. Storytelling is part of our DNA, and that’s why New York – a city at the center of ambitious, culturally resonant storytelling – is the perfect place for us to bring our uniquely Brazilian flavor to North America. It is a natural second home for us, and we hope to add a distinct voice to the conversations already happening here.”
Founded in 2021 in São Paulo, Surreal Hotel Arts specializes in commercials, branded content, and entertainment. The studio is led by Busato – one of Brazil's most awarded directors – alongside Operations Director Cris Chacon and Executive Director Milena Trindade. In just five years, Surreal Hotel Arts has built a client portfolio spanning globally recognized brands, including BYD, Coca-Cola, Diageo, GM, GSK, Heinz, Kimberly-Clark, Mars, McDonald's, Nestlé, Nissin Foods, PepsiCo, Samsung, Unilever, and Visa.
The studio has also assembled a roster of award-winning directors, including Blake Farber, Brendo, Brenno Castro, Michael Zvegintsev, Lua Voigt, and Oriol Barberà. Among its most celebrated works is the Caramelo campaign for dog food brand Pedigree, which earned Gold in the Creative Strategy category at Cannes Lions 2025. In addition, Busato and Luigi Parisi directed the official music video for The Lemonheads' 2025 single "Deep End."
Surreal Hotel Arts is not entering the U.S. market from scratch. As well as attracting American investor partners, in 2022 the studio appointed Farber as Associate Director for the U.S. market. With experience spanning more than 30 countries and a career encompassing projects for brands including Guinness, Nike, Pepsi, Ray-Ban, and Toyota, Farber has helped lay the groundwork for the studio’s growth in the U.S. Line Producer Felipe Rangel will also divide his time between the São Paulo and New York offices, ensuring creative continuity across both markets.
Alongside its advertising work, Surreal Hotel Arts is expanding into broader storytelling formats, developing original short- and long-form content for both Brazilian and global audiences. The studio currently has nine short films and four feature films set for release this year. To support this growth, Surreal Hotel Arts has partnered with Brazilian production studio AIR+ATOMO to deliver state-of-the-art AI and VFX capabilities.
“This is an incredibly exciting moment for us,” said Milena Trindade at Surreal Hotel Arts. “We have built a strong foundation, a loyal national and international client base, an exceptional team of directors, and the ability to shoot anywhere. Brazil continues to offer extraordinary creative possibilities: a breathtaking range of locations, world-class talent, favorable shooting conditions, and outstanding production value. Wherever we work in the world, we bring the same commitment to fusing creativity and innovation, and our success at Cannes Lions is proof of what that approach can achieve.”
As Surreal Hotel Arts scales globally, it remains committed to its environmental, social, and governance principles. The studio is a signatory to the UN Global Compact and aligns with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that its growth is guided by a responsibility to people, communities, and the planet.
