Players

THESE ARE THE PLAYERS WHO WILL DRIVE THE SÃO PAULO AUDIOVISUAL HUB 2026

Ale McHaddo

Director, screenwriter, and producer, Ale McHaddo is one of the leading creators in Brazilian animation and comedy. Founder of 44 Toons, she has built a career marked by the creation of original intellectual properties and the development of content for film, television, and digital platforms. Her work encompasses more than one thousand minutes of animation, screened in Brazil and internationally. In cinema, she has directed successful comedy feature films, further establishing her work in live-action productions. With more than two decades of experience, she has played a significant role in the development of Brazil’s animation and gaming industries. Today, her work incorporates her experience as a transgender woman, exploring themes of identity and transformation through humor.

Alice Santiago

(SP State Film Commission)
Cultural producer and artist with a background in Public Administration. She currently serves as a Production Assistant at the São Paulo State Film Commission, supporting action planning, location scouting and mapping, assistance to national and international production companies, and collaboration with public-sector stakeholders. Her professional experience also includes supporting the management of public cultural venues and producing theater, music, and circus performances.

Ana Paula Souza

Journalist, Master of Arts from King’s College London, and PhD in the Sociology of Culture from the University of Campinas (Unicamp). She has been covering the Brazilian audiovisual industry for over 25 years. She is the author of The Unseen Cinema: The Political Battle Behind Brazilian Film Production in the 21st Century (O cinema que não se vê: a guerra política por trás da produção de filmes brasileiros no século XXI, Editora Fino Traço, 2023) and has published articles on cinema in major Brazilian outlets, including Folha de S.Paulo, O Globo, Valor Econômico, and Piauí magazine. She is currently Culture Editor at CartaCapital magazine and teaches in the undergraduate Film Program at ESPM São Paulo.

André Sturm

Filmmaker, cultural manager, and advocate for public policies supporting the audiovisual sector. A graduate of Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), he began his career in 1984 as a programmer for the FGV Film Club. He has worked at institutions such as the Brazilian Cinematheque and the Museum of Image and Sound (MIS), where he expanded the museum’s visibility through landmark exhibitions and created programs aimed at democratizing access to audiovisual culture. He also served at the São Paulo State Secretariat for Culture, where he implemented several programs, including PROAC. As São Paulo’s Municipal Secretary of Culture and current President of SIAESP – the São Paulo State Audiovisual Industry Association – he created Cinema do Brasil, a program dedicated to the internationalization of Brazilian cinema. In parallel, he runs a film distribution company and works as a director and producer, having received more than 20 awards. He led the restructuring of the iconic Belas Artes Cinema and recently premiered his latest feature film, Operation Condor (A Conspiração Condor).

Anna Pokorska

(CAKE Distribution)
Anna Pokorska began her career at the Odessa International Film Festival before moving into international sales and co-productions, working with companies such as Warner Bros., Amedia/HBO Russia, Wizart Animation, and GFM Animation. She has also consulted for mk2 Films, Unifrance, and Cake Entertainment on animation strategy, acquisitions, and international positioning. In 2018, she developed the animated project Beastly Crimes, expanding her work into content production and development. In 2022, she founded Dikanka Films, an independent production company dedicated to international fiction, animation, and documentary projects. She is currently developing several international co-production projects between London and Paris.

Arianne Benedetti

(Panamá Film Commission)
Panamanian filmmaker, producer, writer, and public administrator. Founder of Treehouse Studios, she has directed more than 300 advertising campaigns and established herself as one of the leading figures in Panama’s audiovisual industry. Her debut feature film, Más que Hermanos, became the highest-grossing Panamanian film of 2017 and represented the country at the 2018 Academy Awards. Her second feature, Despierta Mamá, premiered at FICG 2024 and was Panama’s official submission for the 2025 Academy Awards, as well as the Goya and Forqué Awards. As a producer, she has worked on international projects including Suicide Squad (Warner Bros.), The Panama Papers, and the miniseries Death Row Chronicles (O Corredor da Morte). As Panama’s Film Commissioner and the first Director of the country’s Film Directorate, she led the implementation of the 2012 Film Law, established incentive mechanisms for the audiovisual sector, and strengthened initiatives such as the Panama International Film Festival, the Meets co-production forum, and the National Film Fund. She currently serves as Vice Minister of Culture of Panama.

Arthur Lobato

(Canal Brasil)
Member of Canal Brasil’s Acquisitions and Projects team, where he works on curation, negotiation, and the development of audiovisual projects. He previously worked at Vitrine Filmes, contributing to more than 60 releases, including The Blue Trail (O Último Azul, 2025), Baby (2025), and Pictures of Ghosts (Retratos Fantasmas, 2023). He has also worked at Ancine and as an executive producer. Arthur holds a Bachelor's degree in Film Studies and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at the Federal Fluminense University (UFF), with research focused on distribution, audiovisual preservation, and public policies for the sector. He has participated in international training initiatives such as Industry Academy Latin America and Torino Film Lab.

Celeste Taroppio

(Mendoza Film Commission)
Business Management graduate, cultural manager, and Film Commissioner of Mendoza, Argentina. She has more than 15 years of experience in the creative industries, combining public administration, audiovisual production, and cultural development. Since its launch in 2023, she has coordinated the Mendoza Film Commission, leading strategies to attract investment, foster co-productions, and strengthen the audiovisual sector. Her professional experience includes work in events, cultural programming, and artistic projects with a strategic, creative, and territorial focus.

daniel garcia

(Oso Films)
Holding a degree in Advertising and a postgraduate qualification in Creative Writing from FAAP, Denise Machado has built a distinguished career as a producer spanning more than 35 years. Her film credits include Monica and Friends: Lessons (Turma da Mônica Jovem), Reflections of Fear (Reflexos do Medo, 2024), Memory House (Casa de Antiguidades, 2020) by João Paulo Miranda Maria, officially selected for the 2020 Cannes Film Festival in the First Features section, and Violeta Went to Heaven (Violeta se Fue a los Cielos) by Andrés Wood, winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. She has also produced television series such as Edifício Paraíso, Vizinhos, and 3 Teresas for Globo, as well as Motel for HBO. Her work further includes documentary series for Discovery, Fox, National Geographic, TV Globo, and TV Cultura, among others. She currently teaches in the Film Program at FAAP.

Daniel Pech

(Multiverso Produções)
Partner at the production company Multiverso Produções and the distribution company Retrato Filmes. He produced the feature films "A Common Crime" (dir. Francisco Márquez, Berlin Film Festival, 2020) and "Prison in the Andes" (dir. Felipe Carmona, London Film Festival, 2023), among others. He served as Executive Producer on "Too Late to Die Young" (dir. Dominga Sotomayor, Locarno – Best Director Award, 2018), "Friendly Beast" (dir. Gabriela Amaral Almeida, Sitges, 2017), and "Severina" (dir. Felipe Hirsch, Locarno, 2017), among others. He is currently producing "The World Is Ours" (dir. Francisco Márquez), in post-production, as well as "Mother of Gold" (dir. Madiano Marcheti) and "La escuela pesada" (dir. Hernán Rosselli), both in pre-production. Through Retrato Filmes, he has distributed features such as "Sentimental Value" and "Sirât".

Daniel Rezende

Oscar-nominated, BAFTA and International Emmy winner. He is a director, screenwriter, and editor. In 2025, he released "O Filho de Mil Homens," an adaptation of Valter Hugo Mãe's novel starring Rodrigo Santoro. He made his directorial debut with "Bingo: The King of the Mornings" (2017), selected to represent Brazil at the Oscars and winner of seven awards at the Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro. He also created and directed the Netflix series "Nobody's Looking," winner of the International Emmy for Best Comedy Series. As an editor, he stood out in films such as "City of God," which earned him an Oscar nomination and the BAFTA for Best Editing, as well as work on "The Motorcycle Diaries," "Elite Squad," and "The Tree of Life."

Daniel Tenné

(70 Steps)
Daniel is a German independent producer. He studied International Producing at the Filmacademy in Ludwigsburg after working in the industry in a variety of roles for TV and commercials. He co-founded 70 STEPS with Junus Baker in 2019. He is an Alumnus of the International Screen Institute and the UCLA Extension. He participated in programs such as the Documentary Campus ('21) and EAVEs 'Ties That Bind' ('24/'25). Daniel is a certified Green Consultant.

Daniela Cölle

(Pluto Films)
PhD in Film Theory and History. She has worked as a film curator, project manager for cultural e-learning programs, executive director of the distribution company Filmtopia, and director of the 4 Elements Film Festival. As alternate representative of Eurimages for Slovakia, she gained expertise in European co-production mechanisms. In 2016, she joined the international sales agency Pluto Film. In 2022, she became managing director and head of acquisitions. She also provides consulting for renowned professional training programs.

denise machado

With a degree in Advertising and a postgraduate degree in Creative Writing from FAAP, her career as a producer has been established for over thirty-five years. Some of her film productions include "Turma da Monica Jovem," "Reflexos do Medo" (2024), "House of Antiques" by João Paulo Miranda (2020), official selection at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival in the First Features category, and "Violeta Went to Heaven" by Andrés Wood, winner of the Dramatic World Cinema Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. She has produced series such as "Edifício Paraíso," "Vizinhos," and "3 Teresas" for Globo, and "Motel" for HBO. She has also produced documentary series for Discovery, Fox, NatGeo, TV Globo, and TV Cultura, among others. She is currently a professor in the Film undergraduate program at FAAP.

Fabiano Gullane

(Gullane)
Founding partner of Gullane, Fabiano Gullane has more than 30 years of experience in the creation, production, and commercialization of content for television and cinema. Internationally recognized as one of the leading figures in the Brazilian audiovisual industry, he has helped establish Gullane as one of Brazil’s largest production companies, with more than 60 feature films and over 50 television series produced for broadcast networks, cable channels, and streaming platforms. Notable film credits include Carandiru, Brainstorm (Bicho de Sete Cabeças), The Year My Parents Went on Vacation (O Ano em que Meus Pais Saíram de Férias), The Last Forest (A Última Floresta), The Second Mother (Que Horas Ela Volta?), Motel Destino, and Noah’s Ark (Arca de Noé). His television credits include As Five, Where Is My Heart? (Onde Está Meu Coração), and Carcereiros (Globoplay), The King of TV (O Rei da TV, Disney+), and Sintonia, Senna, and Radioactive Emergency (Emergência Radioativa, Netflix).

Flávia Costa

(Gloob)
Flávia Costa is Senior Content Manager in Globo’s Digital Products division, overseeing the curation of feature films (Globo Filmes and Globoplay Originals) and children’s and youth content projects for Gloob, Gloobinho, and Globoplay. With a degree in Communications and specialization in Film and Television, she has worked in the audiovisual industry for more than 20 years, both as an independent producer and as a content executive. Her expertise spans curation, content creation, and creative supervision across a wide range of formats, including feature films, scripted series, game shows, reality programs, animation, and live performances. Among her most notable achievements is the Detectives of the Blue Building (Detetives do Prédio Azul – D.P.A.) franchise, which includes 23 seasons, four feature films, two stage productions, and multiple spin-offs. She also played a key role in the international co-production Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, one of the most successful titles on Gloob and Globoplay.

Flávia Guerra

Journalist with a Master's degree in Documentary Directing and Film from Goldsmiths, University of London. She is a documentary filmmaker, journalist, curator, and film critic. She hosts the videocast Plano Geral and is a film columnist for BandNews FM and UOL. Throughout her career, she has extensively covered major international festivals including Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, and the Academy Awards for a variety of media outlets. She has written, narrated, produced, directed, and contributed to projects such as Karl Max Way and Marcha da Vida. She served as assistant director of Poemaria, which competed at the 2024 Gramado Film Festival and won more than 20 international awards. She was associate producer of the feature film Meu Sangue é Vermelho and researcher/narrator for Brazil Seen from Above (Brasil Visto do Céu), produced by Gullane Filmes and Arte, as well as In Search of the Perfect Beer (Em Busca da Cerveja Perfeita), directed by Heitor Dhalia. A voting member of the Golden Globe Awards, she also served as Vice President of Abraccine, the Brazilian Film Critics Association. In 2025, she moderated the Los Angeles press conference for I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui) following its Academy Award win. She is curator of Amazônia FiDoc and CineAlter. In 2025, she served on the FIPRESCI jury at the Brasília Film Festival and curated the BRICS Film Festival. She is also a jury member of Cine PE 2026.

Florencia Gasparini Rey

(Reel Suspects)
Senior Sales Consultant at the international sales agency Reel Suspects. Specializing in international sales and marketing for independent films, she has worked with companies such as FilmSharks, AMBI Distribution, Blue Fox Entertainment, and Cinema Management Group, where she handled animated titles including Noah’s Ark. She currently collaborates with the Paris-based sales agency Reel Suspects and serves as Marketing Director at Kaiju Cinema. Florencia holds degrees in Film and Television from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and in Entertainment Management and Business from UCLA Extension.

Freddy Olsson

(Festival de Goteborg)
Freddy Olsson transitioned from the publishing industry to film in 1983, working in theater and audiovisual production in Stockholm. Together with friends, he founded an independent studio dedicated to producing short films, feature films, and children's television series. The group quickly gained notoriety as the “enfants terribles” of Swedish cinema. Since 1987, he has been involved with the Göteborg Film Festival, serving in various roles, including Festival President, while continuing his work as a producer. Among his production credits is The Mill and the Cross, directed by Lech Majewski. Today, he remains committed to discovering new talent and emerging cinematic voices from around the world. The Göteborg Film Festival, which will celebrate its 50th edition from January 29 to February 7, 2027, is one of the world’s most attended film festivals, welcoming approximately 1,800 industry professionals through both the festival and the Nordic Film Market, while also hosting prestigious awards and operating the VOD platform Draken Film.

Geremia Biagiotti

(Intramovies)
Holding a degree in Communication and Marketing, Geremia Biagiotti has built a career spanning more than two decades in the film industry. Since 2004, he has specialized in domestic distribution and international co-productions, developing extensive expertise in production management and coordination. In 2012, he shifted his focus to international sales, acquisitions, and film festivals. Since 2018, he has served as Head of International Sales, Marketing, and Acquisitions at Intramovies. Geremia is a board member of Europa International, a Eurimages expert, and a member of both EAVE and the European Film Academy.

Gláucia Camargos

Gláucia Camargos has produced dozens of feature films, including Jorge, Um Brasileiro, starring Academy Award nominee Dean Stockwell and released in more than thirty countries; Policarpo Quaresma, adapted from the novel by Lima Barreto and released in France with coverage on the cover of Pariscope; and Vagas para Moças de Fino Trato, released in the United States and praised by The New York Times. Her documentary The Most Beautiful Thing – Stories and Memories of Bossa Nova (Coisa Mais Linda – História e Casos da Bossa Nova), featuring Roberto Menescal and Carlos Lyra, was released in Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Last Chance (A Última Chance), directed by Paulo Thiago and starring Marco Pigossi, represented Brazil at the Montreal and Chicago International Film Festivals. The comedy A Dash of Luck (Uma Pitada de Sorte), directed by Pedro Antonio, was selected as the first Sessão da Tarde television premiere on Globo in 2025. Her current projects include O Submarino, directed by Miguel Falabella; Nelson Motta, A Life in the Arts, directed by Lírio Ferreira; and the documentary MPB: 60 Years, featuring MPB4, Chico Buarque, Edu Lobo, João Bosco, Ivan Lins, and other renowned Brazilian artists, directed by Rodrigo Séllos.

Gustavo Steinberg

(Gamescom)
Gustavo Steinberg has worked in the film industry since 1995 as an executive producer, producer, screenwriter, and director. His most recent feature as writer and director, the animated film Tito and the Birds (Tito e os Pássaros), was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and nominated for an Annie Award. He is also the Director of gamescom latam, the Latin American edition of the world's largest gaming event, and of BIG Festival (Best International Games Festival), the largest independent games festival in Latin America.

Hugo Gurgel

(Quanta)
Hugo Gurgel began his career in the audiovisual industry in 2001, working in post-production. In 2011, he structured and led Quanta’s post-production division, contributing to the company’s expansion and the development of new services. In 2019, he assumed leadership of the group’s operations, overseeing equipment rental, studios, virtual production, post-production, visual effects, live events, and broadcast services. In 2020, he co-founded Quanta Escola, an initiative created to expand access to professional training and generate social impact through education focused on the audiovisual market. Today, he is dedicated to developing new business opportunities, technological innovation, artificial intelligence, and integrated solutions for the content industry across Latin America, operating at the intersection of creativity, technology, and digital transformation.

Jaime Miller

(Oriental Features)
Managing Partner and investor at Oriental Features, Jaime Miller developed much of his career at Zonamerica, Uruguay’s leading business and technology park, where he served as Director of Business Development, CEO of Zonamerica Uruguay, and later CEO of Zonamerica Colombia. In 2020, he was appointed Executive Director of Uruguay XXI, the country's investment and trade promotion agency, where he played a key role in attracting foreign investment and redesigning Uruguay’s cash rebate program for the audiovisual industry. Drawing on previous experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers, family-owned businesses, and entrepreneurial ventures, he co-founded Capital Oriental in 2021, a corporate finance and investment banking firm focused on sustainable investments. Under his leadership, the company structured major transactions, including the first IPO on the Uruguay Stock Exchange in eight years.

Javier Garcia Puerto

(Talinn Black Nights FF)
Film curator and programmer, Javier Garcia Puerto has organized film programs and exhibitions in Brazil, China, Serbia, Colombia, the United States, and Slovakia, collaborating with institutions such as CaixaForum, Instituto Cervantes, KunstWerke, Mexico’s National Cineteca, and La Tertulia in Cali. He has developed numerous Film Literacy and Audience Development initiatives, including Off the Wall, which has been implemented in more than 30 cities across Europe and the Americas. Since 2011, he has served as a programmer for the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and as its representative for Latin America. He co-founded the REC Tarragona International Film Festival in 2001 and has served as its Artistic Director since 2006. In 2014, he helped create RECLab, a platform dedicated to nurturing, developing, and supporting emerging talent.

Jim Kolmar

(SXSW)
Independent film programmer, writer, and consultant with more than twenty years of experience in the festival circuit, most notably through his work with the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film & TV Festival. His curatorial experience includes the Curaçao International Film Festival, the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival, KINO! Germany Now (Goethe-Institut/German Films), and Panorámica for PLAY Acción Cultural in Spain. He has also worked for many years as an independent festival consultant and has served on juries, panels, and committees for organizations and events including the Adelaide Film Festival, Cannes Docs, the European Film Market (EFM), the Locarno Industry Academy, the Sarajevo Film Festival, and many others.

João Daniel Thikhomiroff

(Mixer)
Filmmaker, founder, and partner of Mixer Films. He has received 41 Cannes Lions Awards, as well as prizes and nominations at festivals including Berlin, London, and others. Over the past two decades, he has focused on producing content for television and cinema, working as a director, producer, and executive producer on dozens of drama series and documentaries for leading national and international broadcasters. His work has earned numerous awards and nominations at international events such as the Taormina Film Festival, the Berlinale, and the International Emmy Awards. In Brazil, in addition to receiving five awards from the Brazilian Academy of Cinema, he was named “Communication Industry Executive of the Year” at the prestigious Caboré Awards.

Juan Manuel Dominguez Retrato Foto Portrait.jpg

Juan Manuel Domínguez

(BAFICI)
Journalist, editor, and film festival programmer. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Buenos Aires and studied Film Criticism at El Amante Cine. For more than a decade, he has been a programmer for BAFICI (Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema), where he also coordinates Baficito, the section dedicated to children and youth audiences, and previously directed Bafici Animado. He has written about cinema and culture for publications including El Amante, Inrockuptibles, Diario Perfil, La Nación, Clarín, and Rolling Stone. He is the author of the essay Super Hollywood: Comic Book Heroes Save Cinema and currently serves as Artistic Director of Lumiton.

Juan Torres

(Latido Films)
Head of International Sales at Latido Films, a leading sales agency specializing in Spanish and Latin American cinema. He has overseen the international promotion and distribution of acclaimed titles such as The Beasts (As Bestas), The Platform (Netflix’s global number-one title), and The Secret in Their Eyes, winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He also created the Latido Remakes brand, expanding the company’s business around the adaptation and exploitation of intellectual property rights.

Leonardo Giovane

(Municipal Secretary of Tourism, Economic Development, Sports, Culture and Leisure of Joanópolis)
Museologist (COREM 4R 407 II) and Master's graduate of the Interunit Graduate Program in Museology (PPGMus) at the University of São Paulo (USP), where he was awarded a FAPESP scholarship. He also holds an MBA in Museum Management and Innovation from the Brazilian Association for Cultural Management (ABGC) and a Bachelor's degree in Tourism from São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rosana campus. During his studies, he completed a ten-month exchange program at Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary, focusing on Marketing and Management through the Erasmus-EUROINKA program (2016–2017). He also holds technical qualifications in Hospitality (2012–2013) and Regional, National, and South American Tourism Guiding (2019) from the State Technical School (ETEC). He currently serves as Municipal Secretary of Tourism, Economic Development, Sports, Culture, and Leisure for the Tourist Resort Municipality of Joanópolis, São Paulo.

Lourenço Sant’Anna

A graduate in Film from the Federal University of Santa Catarina and New York University, Lourenço Sant’Anna has worked as a producer for nearly 20 years. Having held positions at Cinema do Brasil, RT Features, and Vitrine Filmes, he has produced internationally acclaimed films including Frances Ha by Noah Baumbach, starring Greta Gerwig; The Witch and The Lighthouse, both directed by Robert Eggers and starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Willem Dafoe, and Robert Pattinson; Call Me by Your Name by Luca Guadagnino, starring Timothée Chalamet; Ad Astra starring Brad Pitt; Armageddon Time by James Gray, featuring Anthony Hopkins and Anne Hathaway; Barba Ensopada de Sangue by Aly Muritiba, starring Gabriel Leone; Bury Your Dead (Enterre Seus Mortos) by Marco Dutra, with Selton Mello and Marjorie Estiano; and I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui) by Walter Salles, winner of the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2025. He currently produces films by both Brazilian and international filmmakers.

Lucas Pelegrino

(LPB Content)
Film producer and partner at LPB Content, a production and distribution company based in the interior of São Paulo State. With a focus on animation and genre cinema, particularly horror and fantasy, he has produced eight feature films and is actively developing projects for the international market. Through the company's distribution arm, he led the release campaign for Teca & Tuti: A Night at the Library, one of the most successful Brazilian animated films released in cinemas in recent years.

Luciana Druzina

(Druzina Content)
Founder of Druzina Content, an internationally award-winning Brazilian production company with more than 20 years of experience creating films, series, and games distributed in over 60 countries and featured on platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, Nickelodeon, Globoplay, and Telecine. A member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and a juror for the International Emmy® Awards, Luciana also serves on strategic boards within the Brazilian audiovisual industry, including Brazilian Content, Cinema do Brasil, BRAVI, and ABRANIMA. She is also Vice President of the Foreign Trade Council of FICA (Federation of the Audiovisual Industry and Commerce). Founded by Luciana, Druzina Content received the ADVB/RS Export Award for six consecutive years (2020–2025), reflecting its strong international presence and commitment to creating Brazilian intellectual properties with global appeal. Her productions include Universo Z, Lupita on the Planet of Grown-Ups, Loop, Exu e o Universo, Five Types of Fear, and the games Silo and Winged.

Luiza Shelling

(Filmland)
Director, screenwriter, and producer. She began her career as a producer in 2001, delivering internationally released films and major domestic box-office successes. Eight years ago, she expanded her work into writing and producing, adding several internationally recognized titles to her portfolio. Four years ago, she made her directorial debut, focusing on genre and fantasy films. Love Kills is her first solo feature as a director and was selected for competition at Sitges, Spain, the world's leading fantasy film festival. Most recently, she directed the western Marcha para o Oeste, currently in post-production, and the romantic time-travel adventure Encontrada, also in post-production, both co-produced with The Walt Disney Company. After collaborating with numerous directors on more than a dozen films, Luiza Shelling is now establishing her own distinctive cinematic voice.

Luizio Felipe

(Strima)
Executive Director of STRIMA, the association representing Disney+, Globoplay, HBO Max, Netflix, Prime Video, and Bandplay. In this role, he leads the streaming sector’s institutional dialogue with public authorities and works to advance policies that support the growth of Brazil’s audiovisual industry. A lawyer with extensive experience at the intersection of government and the private sector, he specializes in institutional and regulatory affairs, with a focus on media, entertainment, and technology. He holds a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University and a specialization in Government Relations from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV).

M.Corentin Senechal

(Epicentre)
Corentin Senechal leads Epicentre Films, a French production and distribution company dedicated to auteur cinema. Since 1994, Epicentre has introduced outstanding international films to French audiences. Its catalogue of more than 200 titles spans theatrical, television, and home entertainment releases, with a strong emphasis on Latin American cinema and LGBTQ+ stories. Upcoming releases include A Poet by Simón Mesa Soto and Baby by Marcelo Caetano. Through its subsidiary Reality Films, Corentin has also developed international co-productions, including acclaimed works by João Pedro Rodrigues, Teresa Villaverde, and Julia Solomonoff.

Manuela Gamboa

(Cinetren)
Graduated in Image and Sound Design from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA). Her short films and projects as a filmmaker have received awards at BAFICI and have been selected for festivals including Mar del Plata and FIDMarseille. She has worked as a programmer at Centro Cultural San Martín and contributed to the production of the French Film Festival and the European Film Festival in Buenos Aires. She also worked in Cinetren’s sales and acquisitions department. She currently co-directs Meridiano Cine alongside her partner Manuel García, producing feature films such as Ofelia, Los Erizos, and El Delator. Building on this experience, she also launched Meridiano Lab, a laboratory focused on audience design, which debuted at MAFF Málaga and will hold future editions at the Iberoamerican Film Festival in Miami and Rio Market.

Marcelo Assis

(Deputy-Secretary of Culture, Economy, and Creative Industries of the State of São Paulo)
Executive Secretary of the São Paulo State Secretariat for Culture, Creative Economy and Industry, and holder of a Master's degree in Information Science from the University of São Paulo (USP). With more than a decade of experience in public administration, he works on policy development connecting culture, territorial development, and investment attraction. He has led strategic initiatives for São Paulo’s audiovisual sector, focusing on strengthening regional ecosystems, promoting internationalization, and expanding production and distribution capacity.

Marcelo Siqueira

(Mistika Post)
One of Brazil’s leading specialists in Post-Production and Visual Effects. A member of the Brazilian Academy of Cinema, the Brazilian Society of Cinematography, and the Visual Effects Society, he has received 27 nominations and won seven awards for Best Visual Effects throughout his career. He began his professional journey at Casablanca in 1994 and, in 1999, helped establish Teleimage, where he led post-production teams and pioneered the implementation of technologies such as 2K digital intermediate workflows, digital restoration, stereoscopy, and DCP mastering in Brazil. In 2011, he founded MISTIKA, a post-production company serving the audiovisual entertainment industry nationwide. His major credits include The Little Secret (O Pequeno Segredo), Yakuza Princess, Jezabel, Brasil Animado, and the Disney animated series The Adventures of Lino (As Aventuras de Lino). In 2023, he served as VFX Supervisor and Second Unit Director on Netflix’s Senna, considered one of the largest audiovisual productions ever undertaken in Latin America.

Marika Kozlovska

Strategic facilitator and international film consultant with more than 15 years of experience in the global film industry. She supports producers, institutions, film funds, and audiovisual agencies in the areas of international market strategy, positioning, and professional networking. Her collaborations include organizations such as Cinema do Brasil, EAVE on Demand, the European Film Market (EFM), International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), the Austrian Film Institute, the Zurich Film Fund, and the Saudi Film Commission. She has also worked as a reader, evaluator, moderator, and workshop facilitator for international markets and industry training programs.

Marilia Marton

(São Paulo State Secretary of Culture, Creative Economy and Industries)
Secretary for Culture, Creative Economy and Industry of the State of São Paulo. She holds a degree in Social Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP) and a Master's degree in Smart and Sustainable Cities from Universidade Nove de Julho. Throughout her public service career, she has held positions within the São Paulo Municipal Government, the São Paulo State Department of Education, and, in 2011, served as Chief of Staff at the State Secretariat for Culture. She has also worked at the Government Secretariat of the Municipality of São Caetano do Sul and at the city’s Municipal Council.

Mark Prescott

(London Film School)
Director of New Business and Learning at the London Film School, where he leads London Film Works (lfw.org.uk), the school’s hub for short courses, summer programs, creative workshops, outreach initiatives, and international training partnerships. Prior to joining LFS, he served as Commercial Director at the British Film Institute (BFI), overseeing BFI Publishing, educational partnerships, and the development of commercial and learning initiatives for BFI Player. He also established the BFI’s international film skills and consultancy business, creating training collaborations with corporate, cultural, and government partners in the UK and internationally. Earlier in his career, Mark founded a digital content company for Penguin Random House and served as Advisor for Cultural and Creative Industries at the Office of the Mayor of London, helping shape cultural strategy and support the growth of the creative sector across the capital.

Nacho la Casa

(Capitan Arana)
Founder of the production companies Guion Alto and Capitán Araña, and creator of numerous fiction and entertainment formats for Spain’s leading broadcasters. In 2016, he produced and co-directed the animated feature Ozzy, nominated for two Goya Awards and a Platino Award, distributed by Disney and sold to more than 60 countries. He also produced El Plan (2019), nominated for two Goya Awards, and Sevillanas de Brooklyn (2021), for which he also served as co-screenwriter. In 2024, he released the animated feature SuperKlaus and, in 2026, Norbert, both nominated for Goya Awards and screened at major international animation festivals. In 2025, he made his debut as director and co-screenwriter with Un Hijo, adapted from the novel by Alejandro Palomas. He is currently directing Like!, his fourth animated feature film.

Nelson Hervey Costa

(Sebrae SP)
Born in São Paulo, Nelson Hervey Costa holds a degree in Economics from Mackenzie University and a specialization in Social Projects and Public Policy from SENAC. He has worked for more than 20 years in municipal, state, and federal government, as well as in nonprofit organizations, with a focus on management and public policy. Throughout his career, he has served as Administrative Superintendent of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat for Micro and Small Enterprises of the Presidency of the Republic, and Deputy Secretary for Employment and Labor Relations for the State of São Paulo. He has also held positions as President of Fundação Prefeito Faria Lima (CEPAM), Administrative Coordinator of Paula Souza State Center for Technological Education, Secretary of Labor, and Secretary of Government for the City of São Paulo. At Sebrae-SP, he has held several positions, initially working on Local Productive Arrangements projects, later serving as Manager of Public Policy and Institutional Relations, and currently as Chief Executive Officer.

Olga Deecke

(Beta Cinema)
Sales agent and acquisitions executive at Beta Cinema, a subsidiary of the European media group Beta Film, founded by Jan Mojto. Beta Cinema specializes in the international sales and co-financing of high-quality feature films that combine compelling storytelling, commercial appeal, and artistic integrity. Its portfolio ranges from Academy Award winners to global box-office successes, including The Lives of Others, Il Divo, Downfall, and Never Look Away, the latter receiving two Academy Award nominations.

Paola Wink

(Vulcana Cinema)
Graduated in Film from PUCRS, Paola Wink is a film producer with 15 years of experience. In 2018, she co-founded Vulcana Cinema, a Brazilian production company, alongside Jessica Luz. Her feature film credits include Night Stage, which premiered in the Panorama section of the Berlinale; The Employer and the Employee (UY/BR/AR/FR), which premiered at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes; Noviembre (CO/MEX/BR/NO), which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival; Castanha and Rifle, both of which premiered at the Berlinale Forum; and Future Future, which premiered at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Her upcoming projects include De Guiné by Caroline Leone (Hubert Bals Fund Development recipient, 2018), Talented by Thais Fujinaga, and Madre Pájaro by Sofía Quirós Ubeda (Costa Rica/Argentina/Brazil). She is a member of EAVE (European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs).

Patra Spanou

(Patra Spanou Films)
Germany-based sales and festival agent. She began her career in the film industry working at film festivals before moving into local and international distribution. Since 2011, she has worked internationally through her own company, Patra Spanou Film, representing auteur-driven productions and supporting emerging talent. Among the filmmakers she has championed are Janaína Marques (I Built a Rocket Thinking of You, awarded at Berlinale 2026) and Lauri-Matti Parppei (A Light That Never Goes Out, Cannes 2025), while also representing established directors such as Volker Schlöndorff (The Forest Maker). She maintains a strong connection with Brazilian cinema and has represented titles including The First Death of Joana by Cristiane Oliveira, The Accident by Bruno Carboni, Monica and Friends: Bonds by Daniel Rezende, and Rifle by Davi Pretto.

Paulo de Carvalho

(Autentika)
In 1993, Paulo de Carvalho founded the CINELATINO Festival in Tübingen, Germany. He has served as a member of the selection committee of the Locarno Film Festival and, in 2022, was appointed Artistic Consultant for the Open Doors section of the festival. He is also a consultant for Ibero-American projects at the Extremadura Residency in Spain and a tutor for Central American and Caribbean projects within Los Proyectos de Atitlán in Guatemala. His recent co-productions include Nunkuy by Verenice Benítez (Ecuador, 2026), La Plaga Sin Fin by León & Cocina (Chile, 2026, currently in post-production), and La Canción de la Sirena (Song of the Mermaid) by Eden Bernal (Mexico, 2026, currently in post-production).

Paulo Schmidt

(Academia de Filmes)
Producer with 35 years of experience creating entertainment content for film, television, digital media, arts, and culture. He is a partner, producer, and founder of Academia de Filmes, a pioneering company within Ink Studios, a creative hub dedicated to developing and producing art, culture, films, series, and other audiovisual projects. His feature film credits include The Passion According to G.H. (A Paixão Segundo G.H.), Legalize Já, Eu Te Levo, Elis (co-production), Clandestine Childhood (Infância Clandestina, Argentina co-production), Tomorrow Never Again (Amanhã Nunca Mais), Cabeça a Prêmio, and Titãs – A Vida Até Parece uma Festa, among many others. He has also produced television series such as A Pedra do Reino, Natália, Futuros Campeões, Eu Te Dedico, Espírito da Luta, Mixados, 200 Graus, Milagres de Jesus, Love in Four Acts (Amor em 4 Atos), Flores do Cárcere, and Independências. He served two terms as President of APRO and currently serves as a board member of APRO, Director of SIAESP, and Vice President of Concultura/FIESP.

Rosana Coutinho

(Jinga Films)
Brazilian film executive and producer based in London. Since 2005, she has served as Director of Sales and Acquisitions and Director of Jinga Films, a leading international genre film sales agency. Together with her partner Julian Richards, she co-founded the distribution label Danse Macabre in 2020. A specialist in the global horror film market, she regularly represents Jinga Films at major industry events such as Cannes and Ventana Sur. Her career also includes work as a producer and script supervisor on cult films such as The Last Horror Movie, combining her creative background with extensive business expertise.

Silvia Fu

(HBO/Warner)
Senior Director of Scripted Content at Warner Bros. Discovery, where she oversees all stages of the creative development process for fiction content, from concept to final delivery. She began her career within the WBD group managing productions for the company’s linear film and television channels, including broadcasts of major international award ceremonies and TNT’s music-related projects. Prior to joining Warner Bros. Discovery, she worked for independent production companies, RedeTV, and other media organizations. She holds a degree in Radio and Television from FAAP and a postgraduate degree in Cinema.

Stjepan Hundić

(Robot)
Film producer and CEO of Robot 22, a production company dedicated to fostering creative writing and developing original stories in collaboration with talent from around the world, producing feature films, animation, documentaries, and television series. He is the founder and director of the Fantastic Zagreb Film Festival, dedicated to genre and fantasy cinema. He is also co-founder and co-director of the European Genre Forum, developed in partnership with the Imagine Fantastic Film Festival (Amsterdam) and the Black Nights Film Festival (Tallinn). The European Genre Forum is a unique three-module training initiative designed for emerging European professionals working in genre and fantastic cinema. In addition, he works as a film and festival consultant with extensive international experience.

Viccenzo Carone

(São Paulo State Secretariat for Culture, Creative Economy and Industry)
Chief of Staff of the São Paulo State Secretariat for Culture, Creative Economy and Industry. A graduate of São Paulo State University (UNESP), he previously worked at the São Paulo State Department of Education. Recognized for his technical expertise and strong institutional leadership, Carone has made significant contributions to the strengthening of public policies in the state. He currently leads management teams within the Culture Secretariat, helping integrate administrative efficiency, innovation, and the promotion of São Paulo’s cultural sector, with a particular focus on structuring policies for the audiovisual industry.