Rio 2026

Section: Premiére Latina, winner Six Months in a Pink and Blue Building

Motivation: “We are honored to present this award to a film that carefully weaves past and present, inviting us to draw close to an intimate story. The generosity of this film lies in the tenderness of a child’s gaze and the courage of a mother, reminding us that cinema can be a meeting place: a way of creating kinship, of finding one another, and of entering, with tenderness, the fissures of family history. Through its cinematography, its writing, and its music, the film brings us into a world that, despite the distances between our lives and our places of origin, feels deeply familiar. This is one of cinema’s greatest gifts: to make the intimate resonate beyond itself, and to transform a personal memory into a shared experience. For the tenderness with which it revisits the past, and for the generosity with which it invites us into the life of a family”.

Section: Premiere Brazil, winner London

Motivation: “Within the selected films from Premiere Brazil, we have witnessed the predominance of revolt, forgiveness and massive delirium. Our award goes to a feature that stroke us by the way it expressed its very own way of revolting. Beyond the setbacks, threats, and uncertainties of an ableist society, it is a story that celebrates the body and its movement with moving energy, as can be felt through its use of music, staging and cinematography, and above all through the performance of its lead actor, who draws on his own life to create this unique vision of freedom.”

Latin America’s largest film festival and gathering of industry professionals. Since its creation, the festival has established itself as a major platform for international and Brazilian cinema, bringing together filmmakers and producers, film critics and journalists, students and diverse audiences. Festival do Rio annually transforms over 20 screens around the city of Rio de Janeiro into vibrant spaces, promoting films to be released in Brazil as well as showcasing independent filmmakers whose productions otherwise would most likely not have the opportunity of being seen by Brazilian audiences. RioMarket, the Festival’s industry event, draws upon professionals from the most important national and international companies who participate in seminars, workshops, business meetings, and screenings. In 2026, Festival do Rio will program over 150 international films and 100 Brazilian films divided into many different sections. Our FIPRESCI Jury of three members (one from Brazil, two international) will award the Best Latin American Film and Best Brazilian Film amongst a 20 films pre-selection made by Festival do Rio throughout all sections.