Audiovisual festivals in São Luís

The city of São Luís is hosting various audiovisual events. The 49th Festival Guarnicê de Cinema is scheduled for August 20 to 26, featuring the film ‘Resta Um’ at its opening ceremony and tributes to actress Marcélia Cartaxo and actor Romulo Estrela. The festival includes competitive showcases for short films, music videos, and feature films.

As the fourth oldest film festival in Brazil and the longest-running uninterrupted festival in the North and Northeast regions, the event is approaching its 50th anniversary. This year’s theme, ‘Encontro com Narrativas Humanas’ (Meeting with Human Narratives), aims to reflect on the essence of the cinematic experience and promote cinema as a space for collective construction and dialogue. Festival director Rosélis Barbosa noted that the event serves as a vital platform for visibility for independent Brazilian cinema, with a specific focus on audiovisual production from the Northeast and Maranhão.

The festival received over 1,400 entries from all regions of Brazil, with approximately 150 works selected for exhibition. The selection emphasizes territorial diversity, showcasing productions from across the country. Organized by the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), the programming addresses themes such as identity, territory, indigenous issues, and social inequalities. Beyond screenings, the event features workshops, debates, seminars, and a digital games showcase. Screenings are held at Cinépolis São Luís Shopping and Cinema Sesc Deodoro, with digital access via the Guarnicê platform and app. Additionally, the festival will pay tribute to filmmaker Frederico Machado.

Additionally, the Maranhão na Tela Festival is currently accepting registrations for its upcoming edition from September 22 to 26. This non-competitive event will focus on the Maranhão Cinema Showcase, accepting submissions for fiction, animation, documentary, and experimental works produced in the state.