1stAveMachine Signs AI Directors Lucas Ortiz and Guardabrazo
1stAveMachine, a creative production studio, has signed Madrid-based AI directors Lucas Ortiz and Guardabrazo, for representation across their global roster.
Lucas Ortiz Estefanell aka Lucas Ortiz is a filmmaker and multidisciplinary creator whose work spans cinema, design and art direction. Lucas’ portfolio bridges fiction and commercial work, having collaborated with global brands like Coca-Cola, META, SAP, IBM, and Mayo Clinic. In fiction, his feature film Recipes to Survive This Universe (2023) delves into existential themes with a striking visual style. His 2024 releases include La Fenêtre, a reflective documentary, and Synthetic Bodies, a fictional exploration of identity and technology, both currently in distribution.
Federico Guardabrazo aka Guardabrazo is a multidisciplinary creative with a background in architecture and fine arts and has a passion for blending art and technology. A self-taught programmer, his digital art practice has led him to collaborate with artists like Daniel Canogar, New Media Studios, Hamill Industries and Wildbytes, designers Koln Studio and Rebeka Arce, musicians C.Tangana and Najwa Nimri and brands like Playstation or Esteé Lauder helping bring their visions to life through technology - ranging from small graphic campaigns to large-scale public digital artworks like Coke Sans Sugar, Honda Dream Generator, Questions to the Future, Warhammer Fest, and Prompted by Dreams. As an educator, Guardabra zo has taught creative coding for years, empowering non-technical creatives to explore new forms of expression. His approach reflects his belief in the importance of accessible knowledge and his commitment to fostering innovation in others.
“We’re thrilled to officially welcome Lucas Ortiz and Guardabrazo to the 1stAveMachine roster,” said Sam Penfield, executive producer and partner at 1stAveMachine. “They’ve been trusted collaborators of ours for years, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them officially on board as AI directors. We’ve already created ground breaking work together, and we are eager to see what we will accomplish together next.”
"Joining 1stAveMachine’s roster after collaborating on numerous projects together is incredibly exciting,” stated Lucas Ortiz, AI director at 1stAveMachine. “Their constant pursuit of excellence, willingness to embrace powerful storytelling, and courage to tackle projects that seem impossible at first glance make me proud and eager to be officially on board.”
"I’m excited to join 1stAveMachine because it’s a place where collaboration, experimentation, and craft are truly valued - where ideas can evolve into something unexpected and powerful," shared Guardabrazo, AI director at 1stAveMachine. “Great work emerges when you treat every contributor like a creative engine. As a director, I curate the flow - bridging design, technology, storytelling, and intuition into a cohesive, human-centred experience.”
Lucas’ work is defined by a relentless curiosity and a drive to create stories that spark conversation and resonate deeply with audiences. His projects effortlessly combine live-action storytelling with bold visual compositions and cutting-edge technology, including AI and interactive installations like Kinetic Lights and Metarave 23. Whether directing actors, crafting intricate visual worlds or pushing the boundaries of narrative through emerging mediums, Lucas’ approach is always immersive and thought-provoking.
Throughout his career, Guardabrazo has worked on and directed projects involving AR, VR, projection mapping, interactive installations, live A/V shows, data visualization, and AI-driven art, like his work for the Matadero Cultural Hub in Madrid for their International Literature Festival. These diverse experiences have shaped his ability to direct projects with a seamless blend of creative vision and technical expertise, consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Check out Lucas Ortiz’s work here and Guardabrazo’s work here.
