28th Festival do Rio Concludes with Star-Studded Awards Ceremony and Major Winners

The 28th edition of the Festival do Rio concluded on October 11 with an elegant awards ceremony held at the historic Cine Odeon. Hosted by actresses Vanessa Giácomo and Rafael Infante, the event celebrated a wide array of national and international films showcased during the festival spanning from October 1 to 11. With over 350 films screened, including 101 Brazilian productions, the festival drew upwards of 150,000 attendees, exemplifying its significance as Brazil's premier film festival.

The prestigious Troféu Redentor for Best Feature Film was awarded to “A Margem do Rio,” directed by Enock Carvalho and Matheus Farias. In the documentary category, Eryk Rocha’s “Elza” took home the top honor. The Best Actress prize was notably shared between Isabel Teixeira for her role in “Diário do Fogo” and Grace Passô for “A Professora de Francês,” while Victor di Marco earned Best Actor for his performance in “LONDON.” Additionally, Gabriel Martins received Best Direction in Fiction for “Vicentina Pede Desculpas,” and Pedro Goifman was recognized as Best Supporting Actor for “A Professora de Francês.” The film “Não Estamos Sonhando” by Ulisses Arthur won Best Film in the New Directions category.

The ceremony also spotlighted notable personalities, including Rita Von Hunty, portrayed by Guilherme Terreri, who was honored as Personality of the Year with the Prêmio Suzy Capó. Fashion and ambiance added glamour to the affair, with Vanessa Giácomo wearing a sparkling brown and gold dress and Rafael Infante opting for a casual yet sharp look featuring a white t-shirt and black leather jacket.

The Festival do Rio continues to serve as a vibrant platform for celebrating diverse cinematic voices, drawing attention to Brazilian and international productions alike. This year’s edition reaffirmed the festival’s role in enriching Brazil’s cultural landscape through film, while highlighting emerging and established talents across multiple categories.