Melanie Pereira

Field of Work

Director

Country

Portugal

Biography

Melanie Pereira is a film director whose work revolves around two central themes: Portuguese emigration and women’s voices. Her early films form what she describes as an Emigration Cycle, exploring migratory experiences through observation, memory, time, and archival materials. A committed feminist activist, she also develops research projects and artistic works focused on cinema and women, particularly within the Portuguese context.

In 2023, she was selected as one of the Portuguese filmmakers to participate in The Factory programme at the Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes Film Festival. Later that year, she premiered her first feature film, As Melusinas à Margem do Rio, which received multiple awards at Doclisboa, including the HBO Max Award for Best Film in the Portuguese Competition, the Fernando Lopes Award for Best Portuguese First Feature, and the ETIC Schools Award for Best Feature Film in the Portuguese Competition.

The film has screened at several national festivals, had its international premiere at FIDMarseille, and went on to receive further awards. Its commercial release in Portuguese cinemas is scheduled for June 2025.

Melanie is currently developing her second feature film, A Terra das Viúvas dos Vivos, which has already received support from ICA – Instituto do Cinema e do Audiovisual and AGADIC – Agência Galega das Indústrias Culturais.

Contact / Info

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