3rd São Bernardo Film Festival begins Wednesday with 90 films

The 3rd São Bernardo do Campo Film Festival starts this Wednesday (Nov 26) and runs until Sunday (Nov 30), featuring 90 Brazilian films in the Grande ABC Paulista region.

Historic venue and film diversity

Screenings take place at the São Bernardo Studios and Pavilions (Av. Lucas Nogueira Garcês, 856), historically known for housing Vera Cruz Studios. The festival is organized by Cia. Cinematográfica Terra Bernardo with support from the city hall.

The festival includes premieres, award-winning films, regional productions, and works by young filmmakers, highlighting inclusion and diversity in Brazilian cinema.

Record submissions and selection

This year, the festival received 1,752 submissions from across Brazil. The curators selected 21 feature films – eleven fiction, six documentaries, and four animations – and 69 short films across eleven award categories.

Films compete in the “Terra do Cinema” (72 films) and “Terra Bernardo” (18 films) competitive sections. The former highlights Grande ABC productions, the latter showcases short films up to seven minutes by young filmmakers.

Rescuing cinematic tradition

Directed by Rudy Serrati, the festival highlights São Bernardo as a cradle of Brazilian cinema, reinforcing the legacy of Vera Cruz Studios, known as the “Brazilian Hollywood” of the 1950s.

The festival is part of Brazil’s Black Awareness Month and honors pioneering artists like Dona Ruth de Souza with the Pérola Negra Ruth de Souza trophy. Previous honorees include Léa Garcia, Eliane Lage, Elizabeth Hartmann, Wilma Pereira Rodriguês, and Tony Tornado.

Artist participation and social engagement

The festival shares testimonials on Instagram (@festivaldecinemadesaobernardo) emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural memory and supporting the initiative. Artists include Elizabeth Savala, Nívea Maria, Samuel de Assis, Larissa Manoela, Rainer Cadete, Luís Miranda, Barbara Bruno, and Miguel Rômulo.

A temporary cinema hall was built for the event. Admission is free with optional donation of 2 kg of non-perishable food to São Bernardo’s Social Solidarity Fund.

Service

3rd SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO FILM FESTIVAL

When: November 26–30, 2025

Location: São Bernardo Studios and Pavilions (Av. Lucas Nogueira Garcês, 856 – Jardim do Mar – S.B. do Campo/SP)

Admission: Free with optional donation of 2 kg non-perishable food

Organized by: Cia. Cinematográfica Terra Bernardo | Support: City of São Bernardo do Campo

Instagram: @festivaldecinemadesaobernardo | Website: terrabernardo.com.br/festival | YouTube: @festivaldecinemadesaobernardo