Work that inspires action. Formerly the Creative Lead at Google’s in-house creative studio, Nico Carbonaro is an award-winning filmmaker whose approach to storytelling is based firmly in his keen investigations, observations and appreciation for unconsidered perspectives. He is passionate about creating a visual language as unique as the individuals and stories he shows, in addition to the myriad of ways that these stories can connect with their diverse audiences. He is always looking for fresh ways to extend the life and the reach of the films he makes through spots, series, podcasts, photo essays, interactive editorials, museum exhibitions, and action campaigns.

Between 2016 and 2019, Nico founded a documentary discipline at Google, working closely with Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, to use storytelling as a tool to extend the message of their sponsored NGOs. The team he ran at Google included award-winning filmmakers, designers, photographers and journalists collaborating with non-profit organizations including the Equal Justice Initiative, National Parks Foundation, and GLAAD. Nico served as creator, showrunner and pilot director for Google’s first branded documentary series, Search On, and the recently acclaimed project “Lynching in America,” an interactive documentary collaboration with the Equal Justice Initiative, featured at the Brooklyn Museum and in the permanent collection of The Legacy Museum in Montgomery Alabama.

Nico has directed spots, music videos and produced independent films. Having begun his career directing projects heavily art directed with animation, puppets, and more, Nico brings to his filmmaking, skills that blend the fiction and nonfiction in a unique filmic language and visual signature. His work has been recognized by the Cannes Lions, One Show, D&AD, Art Directors Club, Webby, and Clio awards. As in his Being Human Is, an Android docu-series, that marries real stories with surreal animation, Nico’s projects embody his humanistic and stylish documentary approach. Most recently, at the helm of the second season of Business Class: The Series, for American Express with host Suneel Gupta, Nico takes us around the globe to inspiring entrepreneurs evolving their businesses and themselves, featuring David Chang, Issa Rae, and many others.

Nico is currently in development on two feature-length hybrid non-fiction projects and collaborating with clients to further develop their brand cultures.

When not Film-making, Nico may be found food-making, hosting pizza pop-ups in LA, SF and NY, and for his crews on location in a dozen countries and counting.