Dante Ariola

Dante Ariola is a critically acclaimed filmmaker whose multi-disciplinary work truly is art. As he moves among different genres, he gives everything its own rich, cinematic look and distinctive style.

Dante grew up in New York City’s West Village and attended the renowned High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. As a teen, his love of graffiti art led him to work in typography, graphic design, and diverse design projects, including award-winning album art for labels like Atlantic, Columbia, Elektra, Epic, Sony, and Warner, and band logos for Cypress Hill, the Fugees, and Korn. Dante’s work captured the attention of the design and music worlds, earning him the reputation of being a stylistic innovator, and led to his directing music videos for Cake and Cypress Hill.

Dante has since directed award-winning commercials for a wide range of brands including Adidas, Heineken, Pepsi, Gatorade, AMP, Xfinity, State Farm, Hewlett Packard, Wrigley’s, Stella Artois, Levi’s, Lee Jeans, Nike, and Jordan Brand. His work for Kia, Mercedes, Jim Beam, and Volkswagen have been some of the highest ranked Super Bowl ads of all time. Dante’s 2023 “Binky Dad” Super Bowl commercial was not only recognized as the Top Spot of the Week by SHOOT, but it was also an innovative first – Kia launched this first-ever Super Bowl ad that ends on TikTok, with three alternative endings.

Dante’s work has earned numerous industry accolades and honors. Dante has won the coveted Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials, in addition to being nominated for the award seven times. The Television Academy has twice-nominated Dante’s work for an Outstanding Commercial Emmy Award. Dante’s work has also been celebrated at top industry festivals and award shows, including the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, The One Show, Clios, Andys, Ciclope, and the AICP Awards.