‘Little Creatures’, ‘Night Stage’, ‘#SalveRosa’ lead Rio film festival winners

An Pinheiro Guimarães small creatures ‘ won the top prize at the 27th Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, which closed with a gala on Sunday evening, October 12th, at the landmark Odeon Theater in downtown’s Cinelandia district.

Unlike previous editions, the Best Feature Fiction award was not awarded to local films that had already been screened internationally at major film festivals such as Berlin or Cannes. Instead, small creatures (small creatures) ” had its world premiere at the Rio Festival, along with 53 other national titles being shown for the first time.

small creatures The film is set in the 1980s, when Brazil is emerging from 21 years of dictatorship. The film depicts a family’s struggle to adapt after moving to the unwelcoming capital, Brasilia, as democracy begins to take root in the country.

This is director Guimarães’ second feature film, following his debut film in 2022. transformerco-directed with Carolina Jabour, was also shown in Rio. Produced by Rio-based Bananeira Filmes small creatures.

Other winners of Premier Brazil, the festival’s main competition, included documentaries by Natasha Neri and Gisele Martins. diesel smell The film won a special jury award for its work on human rights violations by the Brazilian military in Rio’s favelas. Rogelio Nunez named best player director of his animated films heart from the darknesswhich also deals with the violence in Rio. and an erotic thriller night stage”, screenwriters and directors Filipe Matzenbach and Márcio Leolon won Best Original Screenplay, and Gabriel Farias won Best Actor for his role as an actor and dancer who hides his sexual orientation early in his career to win roles.

Rio’s Best Actress award went to Clara Castaño for her role as a 13-year-old internet celebrity whose life is very different from the perfection she promotes on social media. #Hello Rosa (#save the rose). Susanna Lila’s film also won the festival’s Audience Award.

This year’s festival screened a record 125 Brazilian films, including features, shorts, restored titles and television series.

The festival drew a sold-out audience and capped off a great year for Walter Salles’ Brazil. i’m still here Director Gabriel Mascaro won the Oscar for Best International Feature. blue trail Berlin Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize for Kleber Mendonça Filho secret agent The film won the Wagner Moura Director Award and the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

The latter is also Brazil’s entry in the 2026 Best International Feature category, and was screened against competition in Rio, where the screening was sold out.