The Brazilian directing collective YOUTH has signed with friends & family, the L.A.-based production company founded by EP Scott Kaplan, for U.S. representation spanning commercials, branded content and music videos. This marks the helming team’s first representation in the U.S. market.
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.
As a decorated director collective, YOUTH has made a splash in South America, but this new signing with friends & family is 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, postproduction, 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 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. YOUTH continues to be handled in the South American market by Stink São Paulo.
YOUTH felt an affinity for friends & family after their first conversations with Kaplan, prompting the directors’ decision to commit to the company for a major foray into the U.S. The trio hopes to connect with projects that allow their vision and style of work to manifest themselves in a free and organic way
Kaplan shared, “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 U.S. market.”
