Petra Costa

Petra Costa is a renowned Brazilian filmmaker and actress celebrated for her impactful storytelling. She made her directorial debut with the short film *Undertow Eyes* in 2009, which gained critical acclaim by screening at prestigious venues such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and clinching the Best Short Film award at various festivals, including the Rio Film Festival and Cine Las Americas International Film Festival.

In 2012, Petra released her first feature film, *Elena*, which premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) and subsequently showcased at SXSW and HotDocs. The film received numerous accolades, including Best Film at the Havana Film Festival in 2013 and a nomination for Best Cinematography at the 2014 Cinema Eye Honors. Notably, *Elena* became the most-watched documentary in Brazil that same year.

In recognition of her work, Petra was among the 20 recipients of a grant from CPH:DOX in Denmark in 2013. This funding enabled her to collaborate with Danish co-director Lea Glob on a feature film currently in postproduction, titled *Olmo and the Seagull*, produced by esteemed companies such as Zentropa, Som & Furia, and Busca Vida Filmes.

Petra holds a Summa Cum Laude undergraduate degree in Anthropology from Barnard College, Columbia University, and a Master's degree in Health, Community and Development from the London School of Economics, further enriching her artistic perspective. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply connected to her Brazilian roots.