We recently had the chance to connect with Susana Hornil and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Susana, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
People know me as a filmmaker, producing, writing, and directing is what I do, and I love it deeply. But what most people don’t know is that I’ve been quietly composing and producing my own songs for a few years now. Music has always been a very private passion for me, something I’ve done in total silence, without sharing it publicly.
That started to change when I met my husband, Balázs. Music has been part of our connection from the very beginning. I’ll never forget the first time I stayed at his place, he played a cover of a pop song on the piano, and I thought, “Okay, nice, he plays.” The next day, while I was busy doing something else, I heard him playing again, this time, it was something completely new and beautiful. I went to the living room, curious to know what song he was covering, only to realize it was something he had just made up on the spot.
I started recording him on my phone to capture those spontaneous pieces, because he had no idea how brilliant he was. For him, it was just a casual thing. That moment became the beginning of many things: our creative partnership, our shared love for music, and me stepping into the role of producing an artist, him, and, honestly, the hardest part, producing myself.
Since then, we’ve both been encouraging each other creatively. He’s a real musician, he can read sheet music and compose properly, and I’ve always respected that too much to call myself one. I just make songs, and now, after keeping this part of our lives private for years, we’re finally ready to share it. Our first singles are coming out at the end of this year, and honestly, it feels like we’re about to walk out into the world completely naked. But it also feels real, honest, and exciting. Maybe people will connect with it, maybe not, and that’s okay. What matters is that it’s us, and it’s true.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a producer and director, and I could talk about what I do or my production company, how we’re expanding to Europe and integrating AI into our workflow, but this time, I would rather share two pieces of exciting news.
The first is a new music video I produced and directed that just came out for the artist Aviana and The Pure Root and her song On & On. The story behind it goes back to 2019, when we were sharing a house in Venice that was filled with artists and friends, people constantly creating, sharing ideas, and chasing their dreams. Aviana would sing or play her guitar in the garden, and sometimes Eric Burton from Black Pumas, who was dating one of my girlfriends at the time, would stop by and share his songs with us too.
I feel lucky to have been there at the beginning, just raw, honest music filling the air. It’s amazing to see how both of them, and so many friends I’ve met over the years in LA, have grown and made their dreams happen. That kind of creative energy is what keeps me going. I’ve always loved supporting other artists, so finally making a music video with Aviana felt really special. You can check it out here: https://youtu.be/REmTi6o0CS4?si=34ZarcLwFN92q-k7
And since I mentioned how music has become such a big part of my life lately, the second piece of news feels extra special. My husband, Balázs, who goes by B.P. Lemon, and I have been working on an album together called The Only Thing That’s Real. It’s his first album as a composer and pianist, and my first work as a music producer, so, a lot of firsts! It’s been such a creative adventure for both of us. The first single comes out at the end of the year, and I’m excited, a little terrified, but mostly just grateful to be creating something so personal together. I can’t wait to share more soon.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I love this question because I’ve always believed that when we’re little, we actually know ourselves better. We’re fresh from the oven, so to speak, still connected to whatever it is we’re meant to do in this life. Then life happens. You get distracted or limited by circumstances, by what’s “reasonable,” or by other people’s expectations. By society. You name it.
I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I was a kid. Maybe a lot of people do, I don’t know, but I really admire those who listen to that calling right from the start. Wow. In my case, my dad worked in oil and gas, so I spent my early years living in oil camps in the middle of nowhere in Venezuela, often traveling to Copenhagen to visit my Danish family. That was my world. And back when I was five, there was no internet, no iPhones, no YouTube, so becoming a filmmaker from that part of the world sounded like a crazy dream.
I chose the wrong career at first. I spent years successfully lost in the corporate world and honestly thought I’d never get out of the rat race. But somehow, I found a way. I worked hard, leaned on the support of family and friends, and made it happen. So who was I before the world told me who to be? Just a little me, dreaming of becoming who I am today. After all the detours, I’m still her, still dreaming, still curious, still learning. I haven’t “made it,” there’s still a lot to do, but I’ve built a life that lets that kid stay free. It wasn’t easy, it still isn’t, but staying true to who we are is always worth it.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh, so many times. My first career was in Economics, so leaving everything behind to become a filmmaker was not exactly an easy move. Walking away from a stable, well-paid job for something totally unpredictable, and not even being sure if I had real talent, was terrifying. And people really freak you out, reminding you that you’re not twenty anymore when you make those kinds of life-changing decisions. I still deal with impostor syndrome sometimes. But I’m stubborn, a little delulu, not afraid to take risks, and definitely a hard worker, so that helps.
I’ve also seen so many people and friends in LA struggle. Giving up. First with COVID, then the strikes, the fires, politics, and AI. The LA I moved to back in 2010 isn’t the same place anymore. But neither are we, and that’s okay. Change can be good.
And I know this might sound controversial, but I actually love AI. It’s fascinating, overwhelming, intimidating, and at the same time, liberating. I feel lucky to be living in this moment with such powerful tools for creativity. I started testing new gen-AI technologies directly with Silicon Valley startups, and what I’ve realized is that while the apps are amazing, there’s also a lot of hype and misinformation. You can’t just make a movie by pressing a button or with just one single app. You need a combination of them. There’s still plenty of room, and need, for writers, directors, and artists to bring heart, stories, and vision into the process. And most importantly, the eye. I keep telling my friends, you have the eye. LA, you have the eye. Combine that with these new tools, and you’re unstoppable.
I see AI not as the end of filmmaking, but the start of something new and even cooler. I believe in a hybrid way of creating, mixing traditional tools with new technology, and I even came up with a word for it: filmmAIker. It describes exactly who I am now. I’m not giving up, far from it. This is just the beginning. I am also looking to collaborate with like-minded people who share this mix of creativity, curiosity, and love for storytelling, because I think that is where the most exciting work will come from.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m really committed to making the kind of content I actually want to watch. I’m Latina, but I’m also multicultural. I grew up around different cultures, and that shaped how I see the world. I just want to watch great stories. Good stuff. Period. I don’t believe in forcing an all-Latino cast or crew. I think our representation and success should come as a result of doing great work.
It’s exciting to see Latin talent shining in different parts of the world. I was watching The Eternaut recently and loved it, not because it was Argentinian, but because it was just really good! The fact that it happened to be Argentinian made it even cooler. And seeing a Venezuelan actress who doesn’t look like a miss, absolutely killing it, was such a nice surprise too.
What I care about is raising the quality of the content we make and breaking stereotypes. I want to see more Latinas like me, and like so many of my friends, represented in real, modern, and diverse ways. And I’m not alone, a lot of us are working in that direction. There’s a big audience for that. A lot of us grew up in multicultural cities, surrounded by people from everywhere. The world’s more of a melting pot than ever thanks to social media.
Being Latina can mean a lot of things. Maybe you’re Latina, but your parents are from different countries. Maybe you were born outside Latin America or Spain and your parents are Hispanic. Maybe you just don’t fit the usual boxes, and that’s the beauty of it. The Hispanic market isn’t one thing, it’s many. Even the terms “Latino” and “Hispanic” get mixed up all the time. I love explaining to my non-Hispanic clients that we don’t need to be colorful, loud, the grandma, a taco, an arepa, a cross, or reggaeton to make something appealing to the Latin market. We are so much more than that.
So for me, the rule is simple: if I’m writing, producing, or directing something I’d genuinely want to watch, then I know I’m on the right path. That’s what keeps me going, no matter how long it takes.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would probably keep doing what I’m doing, but I would spend more time with the people I love. That’s what really fills me up. Although, to be fair, that’s something I always try to do no matter what. I would also stop procrastinating so much with my personal projects. I spend a lot of time producing for clients and leave very little room for my own stories, and I would really like to make my films and series one day. I would definitely make the time to get them done. Oh, and I would eat a lot of chocolate, like, a looooot of chocolate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hornilbrosproductions.com
- Instagram: @susanahornil
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanahornil
Image Credits
Enrique Suárez (photo where I’m sitting inside the black arm car)
Mariale Fleitas (the other two photos on set)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
