Surreal Hotel Arts, the São Paulo-based creative production company, has announced the opening of its first international headquarters in New York City, marking a significant expansion into the US market. The move builds on the studio’s growing international reputation and signals its ambition to bring its distinctive brand of storytelling 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 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.
Surreal Arts Hotel is not entering the US market from scratch. As well as attracting American investor partners, in 2022 the studio appointed Blake Farber as Associate Director for the US 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 US. 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-from 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.
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.
