Photo: Jake Ahles
Marcelo Galvão
Marcelo Galvão directs across Brazil and the United States, working in drama, comedy, and suspense, with more than fifty awards to his name over a career that began in advertising before moving into cinema.
- Region
- Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Sudeste
- Age
- 53
Authorial vision
Marcelo Galvão has been directing since 2005, when he released Quarta Série B, winner of Best Film at the São Paulo International Film Festival. He studied Advertising at FAAP and also trained in filmmaking at the New York Film Academy. Before founding his own production company, Gatacine, in 2001, he worked as a copywriter at agencies such as J. Walter Thompson and Almap BBDO.
In 2007, he directed the documentary Lado B, Como Fazer um Longa Sem Grana no Brasil, followed by the feature film Bellini e o Demônio in 2008. In 2011, he directed Colegas, which won Best Brazilian Feature at the Gramado Film Festival and the Audience Award at the São Paulo International Film Festival. He went on to direct A Despedida in 2014, which earned him the Best Director award at Gramado, and O Matador in 2017, which received awards for Cinematography and Original Score at the same festival.
In 2021, he made his English-language debut in U.S. theaters with Fourth Grade. Over the course of his career, he has received more than fifty awards at national and international film festivals.
Filmography
- Colegas e o Herdeiro
2025 · Film · Comédia, Família · Writer & Director · 85 min
When a hotel owner in Uruguay dies, Stallone, a man with Down syndrome, decides he is the rightful heir, disregarding Thin, the deceased’s adopted son, who is autistic.
- Fourth Grade
2021 · Film · Comédia, Drama · Writer & Director · 81 min
When a brick of marijuana is found in a fourth-grade classroom, the students’ parents gather for an emergency meeting filled with accusations and intrigue. Chaos quickly ensues after some of them agree to share a joint.
- O Matador
2017 · Film · Drama, Faroeste · Writer & Director · 99 min
**1940, in the countryside of Pernambuco.** Raised by a hunter, Sombra leaves his secluded life in the wilderness to search for his real father in the big city. He discovers that his father was a hired killer involved in the gemstone trade and decides to follow in his footsteps. In this lawless territory, killing is in his blood.
- A Despedida
2014 · Film · Drama · Writer & Director · 90 min
A 92-year-old man decides it is time to say goodbye to everything that matters most to him, including his mistress, who is 55 years younger than he is.
- Colegas
2012 · Film · Aventura, Comédia, Drama · Writer & Director · 94 min
Three young people with Down syndrome decide to run away in pursuit of three simple wishes: Stalone wants to see the sea, Aninha is looking for a husband, and Marcio needs to fly.
Social channels
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