director & screenwriter
Gabriel Motta holds a degree in cinema from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (2011) and a Master’s in Crossmedia Production from the University of Tallinn, Estonia (2014).
Since 2011, Gabriel has directed six short films, one mini-series, and numerous advertising projects. His short film “Pastrana” (2023), co-directed with Melissa Brogni, gained widespread acclaim. It was a standout Brazilian short film in 2023/24, winning several awards. “Pastrana” was the grand winner at the 56th Brasília Film Festival, receiving the Best Film award from the Official Jury. It also secured honors for Best Editing and Best Film by Canal Brasil. The short was also awarded Best Latin short film at BAFICI – Buenos Aires Independent Film Festival. Additionally, “Pastrana” was the sole Brazilian film selected for the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, the second-largest film festival in the United States and a qualifying event for the Academy Awards. The film will also be featured at the 52nd Gramado Film Festival, where it is the only short film competing in both the state and national categories for 2024.
Gabriel’s previous short film, “The Embrace” (2022), participated in over 20 festivals worldwide, including Fest – New Directors, New Films (Portugal), the European Fantastic Film Festival in Strasbourg (France), Lund Fantastic Film Festival (Sweden), and Fantaspoa (Brazil), being awarded in several of them.
Filmography
Pastrana (2023, short film)
23rd Tribeca Film Festival (North American premiere, USA)
56th Brasília Brazilian Cinema Festival (World premiere – Awards for Best Short Film by the Official Jury, Best Editing, Canal Brasil Award for Best Short Film)
25th BAFICI (International premiere – Best Latin American Short Film by the Films to Festivals jury)
52nd Gramado Film Festival (Best short-film, Best short-film by the Critics Jury, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production)
33rd Curta Cinema – Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival (Competitive Short Film Showcase)
25th Calgary International Film Festival (International Competition)
35th São Paulo International Short Film Festival Kinoforum (Official Selection)
47th Guarnicê Film Festival (Youth Showcase)
O Abraço (2022, short film)
16th FEST – New Directors, New Films (Portugal, Echoes Section)
50th Gramado Film Festival (Best Photography Award, Gaúcha Short Film Competition)
29th Lund Fantastic Film Festival (Sweden, International Short Film Competition)
15th Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival (France, International Short Film Competition)
10th Dracula International Film Festival (Romania, “Little Dracula Award” for Best International Short Film)
Friss Hús Budapest Int’l Short-Film Festival (Hungary, Midnight Section)
7th Morce-GO Goiás Horror Film Festival (Best Direction & Best Performance Awards)
International Horror Film and Arts Festival of Rio de Janeiro (National Selection)
Bananeiras Film Festival (Best Photography Award)
4th Fecsta – Santa Teresa Film Festival (Honorable Mention)
4th Nieve Roja In’ll Film Festival (Argentina, Official Selection)
Espanto Film Festival – Official Selection (Mexico)
Penitente Film Festival (Colombia, Official Selection)
15th Morbido Film Festival (Mexico, International Selection)
16th Curta Taquary (Best Costume Design & Best Photography Awards)
19th Fantaspoa Int’l Film Festival
“Via Pública” (2020, 4-episode mini-series)
Mix Brasil 2020 Festival
“Dois Homens ao Mar” (2020, short film)
45th Frameline San Francisco LGBTQ+ Film Festival (USA, Official Selection)
33rd Newfest New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival (USA, Official Selection)
48th Gramado Film Festival (Competitive Showcase of Gaúcho Shorts)
28th Mix Brasil Festival (Official Selection | Inconciliáveis)
8th Cineserra (Best Film)
Way Out West (USA, Official Selection)
12th LGBT Film Festival (Poland, Official Selection)
14th Curta Taquary (Best Actor Award, Diversity Showcase)
7th DIGO International Film Festival of Sexual and Gender Diversity in Goiás (Audience Award for Best Film – International Showcase)
Santo Domingo OutFest (Dominican Republic, Official Selection)
2nd Giornate di Cinema Queer (Italy, International Short Film Competition)
QueerX (USA, Official Selection)
18th Curta Santos (Olhar Brasilis Showcase)
3rd Recifest (National Selection)
20th Curta o Curta (Honorable Mention)
14th Cine Esquema Novo – Brazilian Audiovisual Art
3rd Santa Cruz Cinema Festival (Official Selection)
Diálogo de Cinema Festival (Cercanias Showcase)
“Budapest_v4_FINAL2” (2019, short film)
42nd Guarnicê Film Festival (National Competition)
17th Bogoshorts (Colombia, Collections Competition)
47th Gramado Film Festival (Gaucha Showcase)
29th Curta Cinema Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival (In Transit Selection)
19th International Film Schools Festival (Uruguay, Official Selection)
Cine MIS Festival – São Paulo Sound and Image Museum (Official Selection)
2nd Santa Cruz Cinema Festival (National Competition)
Film Fest Zell (Austria) (Cinecitta Selection)
5th Três Passos Film Festival (National Competition)