Michel + Nico are brothers from Biarritz who began their directing journey by teaching themselves to film and edit short films, documentaries and then commercials.
Michel spent some time as a social worker and Nico as an architect before they started a new challenge.
As ex-professional rugby players turned directors, Michel and Nico have parlayed their sporting experience into stories of passion that transcend purely physical achievements. From Muay Thai to Irish football, formula one to the Winter Olympics, their track record is enviable.
Their passion and ambition is what you’d come to expect from athletes. Their style is, in many ways, a reflection of their former lives... real, honest, sensitive and beautiful.
Their energy and infectious enthusiasm has lead them to work for Mercedes Benz, Sky Sport, Seat, Lucozade, Underarmour, Renault, GAA, Red Bull and Orange among others.
If distilled into a sentence, Michel and Nico’s motto would be: learn something everyday!
Their style reflects a desire that’s raw, honest and emotive, with a passionate humanist precision. Their ability to connect with real characters on-screen and a strong cinematic flair soon grabbed the attention of the advertising world.
With a Cannes Young Director Awards shortlist and a nomination for Best New Directors by Shots, Michel + Nico are definitely directors on the rise.
They both live in France and speak french, english and spanish.
WILLIAM HILL / MERMAN LONDON
BRITISH TELECOM / MERMAN LONDON
RENAULT X SKYSPORT / REUNITED / PUBLICIS POKE LONDON / MERMAN LONDON
WILLIAM HILL / BROTHERHOOD / MERMAN LONDON
DECATHLON / SPORT MAKES / ROMANCE PARIS / LA PAC PARIS
RBC / POWERFUL / DENTSU TORONTO
ANYTHING FOR LOVE / SHORTFILM / MICHEL&NICO
WARRIOR / NEVER QUIT / OGILVY JAKARTA
BBC SPORT / PREPARE TO BE MOVED / BBC CREATIVE
LUCOZADE / THE NEXT MOVE / GREY LONDON
UNDERARMOUR / WILL MAKES US FAMILY / DROGA 5 NY
SEAT / SEVEN DAYS / C14 BARCELONA
RENAULT SPORT / THE ULTIMATE TEST DRIVE / PUBLICIS POKE LONDON
SKY SPORT / BE INSIDE THE GAME / BROTHERS&SISTERS LONDON
GILLETTE / THE HONEST PLAYER / GREY LONDON
2021
Kinsale Sharks, Shortlist
William Hill - Brotherhood
Club des DA, Winner Bronze
Decathlon - Sport makes...
1.4 Awards, WINNER GOLD
Anything for Love
2020
Cannes Young Director Awards, WINNER SILVER SCREEN
Anything for Love
2019
Cannes Young Directors Awards, Shortlist Broadcast Europe
BBC Prepare to be moved
2019
Drum Roses Award, Winner BRONZE – Best Sport Campaign
BBC prepared To be Moved
2019
Creative Director Awards, Winner GOLD – Best children Casting
BBC prepare to be moved
2019
Creative Circle awards, Winner BRONZE – Best integrated Campaign
Lucozade – the next Move
2019
British Arrows, Shortlist best integrated campaign
Lucozade – the next Move
2018
British Arrows, Shortlist best automotive film
The ultimate test drive
2018
Cannes Young Directors Awards, Shortlist Web Film
The ultimate test drive
2018
AICP, Shortlist best viral film
The ultimate test drive
2017
Shots Awards, Shortlist NEW DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
2017
LIA, Silver
The honest player
2017
Kinsale Sharks Awards, Bronze
The honest player
2017
Kinsale Sharks Awards, Shortlist short documentary
The ultimate test drive
2017
Vimeo, Staff Picks
The ultimate test drive
2017
Cannes Young Directors Awards, Shortlist Broadcast Europe
The honest player
MERMAN UK/US (excl.)
HOLIDAY Toronto, Canada (excl.)
BANJOMAN Dublin, Ireland
13&CO Sydney, Australia
WANDA, France
SHOTS | how to (re)make it in movies
SHOTS | a few of my favoutite things
LBB ONLINE | Merman, like no other before
https://www.lbbonline.com/news/michel-and-nico-a-whirlwind-first-few-months-as-commercials-directors
https://www.hellomerman.com/a-family-affair-1-4-interviews-merman-directors-michel-nico-arribehaute/