A Cinematic Triumph: Honoring Excellence at Gramado

Grace Passô's 'Our Secret' Dominates Gramado Awards

Grace Passô's inaugural feature film, 'Our Secret,' captivated audiences and critics alike, earning the prestigious Kikito award for Best Feature Film at the 54th Gramado Film Festival. The film's artistic merits were further recognized with accolades for cinematography, skillfully captured by Wilssa Esser, and for its compelling art direction, masterfully overseen by Lucas Osório. This triumphant debut signals Passô's significant emergence as a formidable force in the cinematic landscape.

Exploring Grief and Identity in 'Our Secret'

Penned and helmed by the accomplished playwright and actress Grace Passô, 'Our Secret' delves into the poignant narrative of a Black family grappling with the aftermath of a profound loss. As the family navigates the complexities of their grief, a hidden truth held by the youngest son threatens to unearth the underlying causes of their collective sorrow, compelling them to confront their deepest pains and seek a path toward healing.

'Gugu's World' Captures Audience Hearts and Critical Acclaim

Allan Deberton's film, 'Gugu's World,' resonated deeply with festival-goers, securing the esteemed audience award. Beyond popular appeal, the film also garnered significant critical recognition, with Deberton receiving the award for Best Director. Teca Pereira was honored for her exceptional performance as Best Actress, and Lázaro Ramos was recognized for his outstanding contribution as Best Supporting Actor, further solidifying the film's multifaceted success.

“Milk Powder” Recognized for Screenwriting and Sound Innovation

Carlos Segundo's poignant work, 'Milk Powder,' received critical praise from the jury for Brazilian feature films. The film was specifically lauded for its exceptional screenplay, co-written by Segundo and Rafael Copel, and for its distinguished sound design, expertly crafted by Waldir Xavier. These honors underscore the film's narrative strength and technical artistry.

Shared Honors in Acting Categories

The festival's acting categories saw a remarkable tie for Best Actor, with José Loreto recognized for his compelling role in 'Chorão: Só os Loucos Sabem,' and Christian Malheiros for his impactful performance in 'Justino: Nos Bastidores do Reino.' Naruna Costa received the Best Supporting Actress Kikito for her work in 'Pele de Rinoceronte.' Additionally, young talents Yuri Gomes from 'Gugu's World' and Onna Silva from 'Justino: Nos Bastidores do Reino' were awarded honorable mentions for their promising portrayals.

Technical Brilliance in Editing and Original Score

The craft of filmmaking was celebrated through several technical awards. André Finotti and José Eduardo Belmonte were recognized for their superb editing in 'Justino: Nos Bastidores do Reino,' demonstrating their skill in shaping the film's rhythm and narrative flow. Otávio de Moraes received the award for Best Original Score for his evocative musical contributions to 'Chorão: Só os Loucos Sabem,' enhancing the emotional depth of the film.

Documentary Achievements at Gramado

Susanna Lira's documentary, 'Gonzaguinha, da Maior Liberdade,' was honored with the Kikito for Best Documentary Feature, celebrating its profound storytelling. In addition, 'Empeleitada' received an honorable mention in the documentary category, acknowledging its significant contribution to the genre.

Esteemed Juries Guiding the Awards

The festival's awards were determined by two distinguished juries. The main jury comprised notable figures such as actress Cris Vianna, director and screenwriter Fábio Meira, actress Helena Ranaldi, researcher, film critic, and curator Kênia Freitas, and actor Marcelo Serrado. The critics' jury included journalist and documentary filmmaker Flavia Guerra, journalist and professor Pâmela Eurídice, documentary filmmaker and critic Rafael Valles, journalist and director Simone Zuccolotto, and researcher and critic Victor Souza.

Special Honors for Industry Luminaries

Beyond the competitive categories, the Gramado Film Festival paid tribute to several luminaries of Brazilian cinema. Actor Marcos Caruso was presented with the Troféu Cidade de Gramado, while producer Renata Almeida Magalhães received the Troféu Eduardo Abelin. Selton Mello and Maria Fernanda Cândido were honored with the Troféu Kikito de Cristal, and Andrea Beltrão was awarded the Troféu Oscarito, recognizing their enduring contributions to the industry.

Full List of Gramado Film Festival Winners

The complete roster of winners at the Gramado Film Festival includes: Best Film: 'Our Secret,' by Grace Passô; Best Documentary Feature: 'Gonzaguinha, da Maior Liberdade,' by Susanna Lira; Documentary Honorable Mention: 'Empeleitada'; Audience Award for Best Film: 'Gugu’s World,' by Allan Deberton; Critics’ Jury Award for Best Film: 'Milk Powder' by Carlos Segundo; Best Director: Allan Deberton for 'Gugu’s World'; Best Actress: Teca Pereira for 'Gugu’s World'; Best Actor: José Loreto for 'Chorão: Só os Loucos Sabem' and Christian Malheiros for 'Justino: Nos Bastidores do Reino'; Honorable Mentions for Yuri Gomes ('Gugu’s World') and Onna Silva ('Justino: Nos Bastidores do Reino'); Best Screenplay: Carlos Segundo and Rafael Copel for 'Milk Powder'; Best Cinematography: Wilssa Esser for 'Our Secret'; Best Supporting Actor: Lázaro Ramos for 'Gugu’s World'; Best Supporting Actress: Naruna Costa for 'Pele de Rinoceronte'; Best Sound Design: Waldir Xavier for 'Milk Powder'; Best Original Score: Otávio de Moraes for 'Chorão: Só os Loucos Sabem'; Best Art Direction: Lucas Osório for 'Our Secret'; Best Editing: André Finotti and José Eduardo Belmonte for 'Justino: Nos Bastidores do Reino.'