On the night of July 30, the film I’m Still Here dominated the 24th Grande Otelo Awards – Brazil’s highest honor for film and television – at Rio de Janeiro’s City of Arts. Filmelier captured the ceremony through reporter Vitória Pratini’s lens, documenting emotional reunions, passionate speeches, and the brightest talents shaping Brazilian screen diversity.
I’m Still Here Makes History: 13 Wins & Record-Breaking Sweep
The night belonged to Walter Salles’s I’m Still Here (based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir), with the Golden Globe and Oscar-winning filmmaker claiming victory in 13 of 16 categories. This unprecedented haul cements the film as a landmark in contemporary Brazilian cinema.
Beyond Best Feature Film, the drama dominated key awards: Best Director, Best Actor for Selton Mello (his first career win), Best Actress for Fernanda Torres, plus technical honors for Cinematography, Editing, Costume Design, Makeup, and Visual Effects.
This record-breaking triumph made the 2025 Grande Otelo Awards a historic moment, showcasing the resurgence of Brazilian auteur cinema through its intimate exploration of grief and human connection.
Malu: A Star Is Born
Pedro Freire’s debut film Malu scored a triple win: Best First Feature, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Juliana Carneiro da Cunha.
Set in Copacabana, this mother-daughter drama captivated audiences with razor-sharp dialogue and nuanced performances. The standing ovation and post-show buzz highlighted its mature take on female autonomy and fragile family bonds.
Brazilian Cinema’s New Hue: The Last Blue
Though shut out of major awards, Gabriel Mascaro’s The Last Blue impressed with its visual storytelling. Its nomination confirms Brazilian cinema’s ability to tackle urgent themes through aesthetic mastery.
Fresh from winning the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 75th Berlinale, this dystopian Amazon thriller follows Tereza (Denise Weinberg) resisting forced elderly relocation. Featuring Rodrigo Santoro, it blends social commentary with cinematic poetry.
New Generation Steals the Show
The awards spotlighted emerging talent through memorable moments:
- Isaac Amendoim, star of Chico Bento and the Marvelous Guava Tree, moved crowds accepting Best Children’s Film. His heartfelt speech celebrated intergenerational storytelling power.
- Gabriel Leone won Best Actor in a Series for portraying Ayrton Senna in Netflix’s biopic, proving Brazilian content’s global streaming reach.
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Additional 2025 Winners
The ceremony celebrated diverse screen achievements:
- Best Actress in a Series: Adriana Esteves, The Others (Globoplay)
- Best Documentary Series: Black Voices (TV Globo)
- Best Animated Feature: Noah’s Ark
- Best Documentary: 3 Obás of Xangô by Sérgio Machado
This eclectic mix confirms Brazilian cinema’s creative health, balancing experimental works with crowd-pleasers.
Brazilian Cinema: Thriving & Unstoppable
The 24th Grande Otelo Awards highlighted key trends: emotional auteur films, rising directors, and critical validation for series.
Fernanda Torres reflected on the red carpet:
“Cinema brings back the magic of shared experiences. In our hyper-connected but lonely world, films like I’m Still Here and The Last Blue break through. Long live this creative wave!”
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