As Brazilian cinema gains prominence on the international stage, the Gramado Film Festival will recognise two of the nation's most celebrated actors. Selton Mello starred in "I'm Still Here," which made history as the first Brazilian feature in Portuguese to win an Academy Award, whilst Maria Fernanda Cândido achieved global recognition through "The Secret Agent," which received four Oscar nominations—a Brazilian record. Both performers will be honoured at the festival's 54th edition.

Running from August 12–22 in the mountain resort of Gramado, the festival will showcase six Brazilian films competing for the main prize, with five premiering for the first time. The opening selection is "Antártida," produced by media corporation Globo and set at an Antarctic research station, whilst the festival will also present the Brazilian premiere of "Emergência 53," a television series that won recognition at Berlin's festival marketplace. The programme concludes with a Chilean-Brazilian co-production.