Samantha Castillo
Samantha Castillo, a talented actress from Venezuela, was born on March 12, 1980, in Los Teques. With a robust career spanning over fifteen years in theater, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Central University of Venezuela and has honed her craft through various acting techniques in both Venezuela and Cuba.
Samantha has garnered acclaim in the film industry, earning multiple awards at national and international festivals. Her breakout role as "Marta" in Mariana Rondon's acclaimed film *Pelo Malo* marked a significant milestone, contributing to the film's triumph at the 2013 San Sebastián Festival, where it won the prestigious La Concha de Oro. Her portrayal of Marta was celebrated across over 15 international festivals, securing seven awards and garnering two nominations.
In *Malquerido*, directed by Diego Risquez, Samantha portrayed La Lupe, the legendary Latin music figure, which earned her the Best Supporting Actress accolade at both the Mérida Film Festival and the Caracas Film Festival. Moreover, in *El Amparo*, directed by Rober Calzadilla, she faced the unique challenge of immersing herself in the Venezuelan plains for two months, resulting in a special mention for Supporting Actress at the Mérida Film Festival.
Her role in *Le Badanti*, directed by Marco Pollini, had her embody a Latin American immigrant in Italy, a performance she prepared for by studying Italian and taking Pole Dance lessons. Beyond acting, Samantha is committed to theater education, developing training programs for young actors at institutions like the Higher School of Performing Arts Juana Sujo and the School of Musical Theater of Caracas.