Welcome to the second edition of the Maia International Film Festival! This year, the festival promises an even more engaging lineup, bringing together emerging talents from the international film scene. Special guests, including directors, and actors will be present to share their experiences and inspire new generations of filmmakers. Get ready for unforgettable days of cinema in the vibrant city of Maia!
The Maia International Film Festival celebrates the diversity and creativity of global cinema. Its second edition features a carefully curated selection of feature films, fostering dialogue between filmmakers and audiences. Among the guests are award-winning directors, like Margarida Cardoso (PT) and Algimantas Puipa (LT) , industry experts who will bring fresh perspectives on the art of filmmaking. A must-attend event for all cinema lovers!
Born in Porto, Portugal, in 1986.
Holds a BA in Sound and Image from Universidade Católica Portuguesa and a Master’s degree in Film and Television Directing from Escola Superior de Artes do Porto.
He has directed and produced four short films, selected for various international festivals. The documentary Zulmiro de Carvalho was featured at the Cerveira Biennale in 2011. The fiction short Delicate Perception of a Ray of Light received an honorable mention at the Figueira Film Art Festival in 2015. The documentary Magister was awarded honorable mentions at both the Indian World Film Festival and Porto7 International Film Festival in 2019. His fiction short Capates received an honorable mention at the Fanzeres and São Pedro da Cova Short Film Competition (2021) and won Best Film at the Accessible Film Festival in Bragança (2022).
From 2017 to 2024, he taught Cinema as part of the “Multimedia Narratives” course at the Portuguese Institute of Photography.
In 2020, he presented his first collective video art piece, Mundo-cópia, at an exhibition in Évora.
He is currently in post-production for an untitled documentary about multidisciplinary artist Flávio Rodrigues.
He has been the General Director of the Maia International Film Festival since 2023.
A producer by passion, a manager by calling, and a bit of a juggler by necessity (because handling three phone calls, two budgets, and one fragile ego all at once is a talent).
Since she stepped into the world of cinema and audiovisuals (quite a few years ago now!), she hasn’t looked back. A fast learner and even faster problem-solver, Filipa has an almost mystical knack for spotting what’s about to go wrong — and fixing it before anyone else even notices. She’s a rare blend of German precision and Portuguese improvisation.
But she’s not just another production person — she’s a chaos organizer with an ever-awake artistic side: she writes novels and plays, takes photographs, creates video art, paints, and if needed, she’ll even step onto the stage. And yes, she still knows exactly where the van keys are.
Currently the Production Director of the Maia International Film Festival, she brings the best of both worlds: meticulous logistics with a creative vision. This festival isn’t just about films — it’s about crafting soulful experiences. Filipa ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, with the charm of someone who’s seen it all — and still believes in the magic of every project.
If there’s chaos, she brings order. If there are ideas, she makes them real. And if there’s silence… she’s probably planning the next festival.
PhD candidate in Cultural Studies at the Universities of Minho and Aveiro. Holds a Master’s degree in Cinema from Escola Superior Artística do Porto and has formal training in stage lighting in both Portugal and the UK.
He has collaborated with a wide range of theatre creators, including Carlos Avilez, João Mota, António Feio, Júlio Cardoso, Gabriel Villela, Julio Castronuovo, Bruno Schiappa, Roberto Merino, Alberto Bokos, and Ulysses Cruz.
A regular collaborator with Escola Superior Artística do Porto, he is also part of the technical team at Teatro Municipal Constantino Nery. He serves on the board of FITEI – Festival Internacional de Expressão Ibérica, is Artistic Director of Seiva Trupe and Director of D.A.S – Desenvolvimento Artes Associação. He is also a board member of the Maia International Film Festival.
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