Amapá independent short films debut locally and earn international awards

The Amapá‑produced short film *Leilão das Almas*, directed by Abel Netto, opened on 20 June at the Teatro Municipal Fernando Canto in Macapá. The 21‑minute drama, presented in two evening screenings, used a solidarity ticket system that required donors to bring one kilogram of non‑perishable food. The story follows a disenfranchised auctioneer who conducts a spiritual market where human souls are sold, prompting reflections on fear, addiction, fame and redemption.

Meanwhile, another Amapá short, *Amazônia Xamã* by Rodrigo Pedroza, has attracted international acclaim. The film won Best Film and Best Direction at the Nature Without Borders International Film Festival in the United States and was later selected as a semifinalist for the Rotterdam Independent Film Festival in the Netherlands. Both projects highlight the growing visibility of Amazonian cinema on the world stage.