We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Fernando Tosetti. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Fernando below.

Fernando, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

When I was a child, storytelling fascinated me. Like any other kid, I loved hearing stories, watching movies, reading books and magazines—whatever the source, as long as a story was being told. I’m Latino, born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, where storytelling is second nature in our family. On my dad’s side, my grandpa, or vô, would teach me important life lessons through fables and short stories; on my mom’s side, my uncle would take me to movies or art museums. Little did I know how profoundly these experiences would shape who I am today.

Around the age of 8 or 9, I realized I didn’t just want to listen to stories—I wanted to tell them. Writing and drawing were my first mediums, but once I got my hands on a camera, filmmaking became my passion. I’d gather family and friends as actors, write scripts, sketch storyboards, and direct mini-productions. Not all of these early films made it anywhere, but some surprisingly gained thousands of views on YouTube and were even shown at our school and gained their own fanbase. These early experiences, small as they may seem, laid the foundation for the artist I am today and are a big part of my journey as a creative.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a creative producer originally from São Paulo, Brazil. I moved to the U.S. about eight years ago for college and ended up staying longer than planned after finding great opportunities to express myself as a creative here. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Film from the University of Central Florida, which gave me a solid foundation. My career began as a camera operator at UCF Athletics, where I learned the ins and outs of live production and technical skills that laid the groundwork for my visual storytelling background.

After that, I joined an advertising agency called Think Integrated, where I learned the backbone of production, marketing strategy, and the full lifecycle of a creative project. It was a hands-on, fast-paced environment filled with valuable lessons, from conceptualizing campaigns to managing the smallest production details. I also had the opportunity to work with several nonprofits, helping to shed light on important issues and bring their compelling stories to life. There’s something truly special about stepping away from big corporations to spotlight everyday people, giving them the attention and recognition they deserve.

During the COVID years, I went back to Brazil to be closer to my family, but managed to stay driven by my goals. I dove deeper into my craft, studying acting, taking a comprehensive cinematography course that taught me everything about lighting and filming, and completing a Master’s degree in Digital Communications, Branding and Storytelling. I also opened my own production company, and had the opportunity to direct commercials for major brands such as Tabasco, eBay, Sodexo, and others.

Now back in the U.S. as a freelancer, I work as a bridge between advertising agencies and production companies. On set, I mainly take the role of film director, but my experience extends to camera operation, lighting, editing, and various crew roles. In the world of advertising, I bring my skills as a project manager, creative writer, and content creator. As long as I’m telling a good story, I’m having a good time.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I think one of the best examples of my resilience is my ability to adapt to different markets and evolving industry demands. Moving back to Brazil during COVID didn’t slow me down—instead, it was an opportunity to keep learning, take acting and cinematography courses, earn my Master’s in Branding and Storytelling, and ultimately grow as a creative. It wasn’t easy, and there were tough days and many ups and downs, but looking back, I realize I developed a level of resilience I hadn’t thought possible. Some of that may have to do with moving to the US when I was only 18. The language and cultural shift was so big that I just had to learn to adapt.

The same adaptability shows in my work. Some days, I’m directing a large cast on a complex set; on others, I have just an iPhone and a microphone to capture a brand’s story. I honestly love both, as they’re simply different forms of storytelling and expressing myself creatively.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

The creative career path is often nonlinear. While there’s growth, there are also times when progress feels stalled, and it can seem like things aren’t moving forward. Fulfillment in this field comes not only from financial success but from seeing your work recognized by other creatives, competing for awards at festivals and ceremonies, and making and impact on your audiences. Unlike other careers, it isn’t purely money-driven; it’s about creating something meaningful. That said, I believe the ideal approach to filmmaking and storytelling is a combination of a business and growth mindset with artistic expression, striking a balance between professional development and creative fulfillment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fernandotosetti.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tosettifilms/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-tosetti/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FernandoTosetti