The consecration of “I’m Still Here”
“Ainda Estou Aqui” was the main highlight of the 2025 Grande Otelo, the former Brazilian Cinema Award, as it won 13 out of the 16 statuettes it was competing for. The ceremony of the Brazilian Academy of Cinema took place on Wednesday night (7/30) at the Cidade das Artes Bibi Ferreira, in Rio de Janeiro, and awarded a total of 30 trophies.
The film directed by Walter Salles won the main categories, such as Best Fiction Feature, Directing, Actress (Fernanda Torres), Actor (Selton Mello), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, and all technical awards. The historical drama, based on the book by Marcelo Rubens Paiva, follows the journey of Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres), in her fight for recognition of the murder of her husband, former congressman Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello), killed by the military dictatorship. Previously, “Still Here” had already won the Best Screenplay award at the Venice Film Festival, Best Actress at the Golden Globe, and Best International Film at the Oscars.
What speeches marked the ceremony?
In her speech, Fernanda Torres recalled the journey of the production from its beginning in Rio until its international circulation. “I’ve been with Eunice Paiva for two years now. She has become a second nature to me,” she said. The actress praised Selton Mello for giving presence to Rubens Paiva, who, according to her, was becoming a “faded photograph.”
Walter Salles, upon winning as Best Director, stated: “Still Here is a film about a country that was robbed of its future, and this must always be remembered. May more films about this period come.”
Productions and tributes moved the audience
Another highlight of the night was “Malu,” by Pedro Freire, which won the awards for Best Original Screenplay, Best Debut Direction, and Best Supporting Actress, for Juliana Carneiro da Cunha. The 76-year-old actress was given a standing ovation and honored her wife, Ariane Mnouchkine, founder of Théâtre du Soleil, who was present in the audience.
The award ceremony also celebrated the history of production company LC Barreto. Luci Barreto, 92 years old, went on stage to receive the trophy, mentioning the company’s 60 years and the 150 films produced alongside her husband, Luiz Carlos Barreto, who is currently recovering from a fall.
Who shone in the series and children’s categories?
The award for Best Children’s Feature Film went to “Chico Bento e a Goiabeira Maraviósa.” The young actor Isaac Amendoim, 12 years old, cried while thanking: “I’m very happy, people. And a kiss, mom.”
Among streaming and TV productions, “Senna” was named Best Series. The biographical mini-series about Ayrton Senna also won the award for Best Actor for Gabriel Leone. To complete the awards, Best Series Actress was Letícia Colín, for “Los Otros.”
The main winners of the Grande Otelo 2025
BEST FICTIONAL LONG TAKE
Still Here
BEST DIRECTION
Walter Salles, “I’m Still Here”
BEST ORIGINAL SCRIPT
Pedro Freire, “Malu”
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega, “I’m Still Here”
BEST ACTRESS
Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”
BEST ACTOR
Selton Mello, “I’m Still Here”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Juliana Carneiro da Cunha, “Malu”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ricardo Teodoro, “Baby”
BEST FIRST DIRECTION
Pedro Freire, “Malu”
BEST SOUNDTRACK
Warren Ellis, “I’m Still Here”
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Adrian Teijido, “I’m Still Here”
BEST ASSEMBLY
Affonso Gonçalves, “I’m Still Here”
BEST COSTUME
Cláudia Kopke, “Still Here”
BEST MAKEUP
Marisa Amenta and Luigi Rochetti, “I’m Still Here”
BEST ART DIRECTION
Carlos Conti, “I’m Still Here”
BETTER SOUND
Laura Zimmerman and Stéphane Thiébaut, “I’m Still Here”
BETTER VISUAL EFFECTS
Claudio Peralta, “Still Here”
BEST LONG CHILDREN’S
Chico Bento and the Wonderful Guava Tree
BEST DOCUMENTARY
3 obás of Xangô
BEST ANIMATION
Noah’s Ark
BEST FICTION SERIES
Senna
BEST ACTOR IN A SERIES
Gabriel Leone, “Senna”
BEST ACTRESS IN A SERIES
Letícia Colin, “The Others”
BEST BRAZILIAN DOCUMENTARY SERIES
“Black Speech” – 4th Season
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
You
BEST SHORT FICTION
Helena de Guaratiba
POPULAR VOTE
Milton Bituca Nascimento
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