28 Brazilian film premieres, filmmaker Q&As, and a key industry forum arrive at CineSesc from March 12–18, 2026.
A week of Brazilian cinema in São Paulo
The 14th Mostra Tiradentes | SP brings 28 Brazilian films — never before screened in São Paulo — to CineSesc across seven days in March. The lineup features 14 feature films and 14 short films across 17 screenings, all presented as advance premieres. Organized by Universo Produção and Sesc São Paulo, the event offers a curated selection from the 29th Mostra de Cinema de Tiradentes, which drew an estimated 38,000 viewers to the small historic city of Tiradentes, Minas Gerais, in January — seven times its local population.
The 2026 edition is guided by the theme “Imaginative Sovereignty”, a concept that challenges filmmakers, critics, and audiences to reimagine Brazilian audiovisual culture beyond commercial and technological constraints.
Opening night: award-winning documentary
The festival opens on March 12 at 8 PM with a free screening of “Anistia 79”, directed by Anita Leandro (Rio de Janeiro). The documentary swept the awards at Tiradentes, winning both the Troféu Barroco (Audience Best Feature) and the Carlos Reichenbach Prize (Official Jury, Olhos Livres section). Tickets are distributed 90 minutes before the session at the CineSesc box office.
Other award-winners in the program include “Para os Guardados” by Desali and Rafael Rocha (Minas Gerais), named Best Feature in the Aurora section by the Youth Jury; “Entrevista Com Fantasmas” by LK – Lincoln Péricles (Rio Grande do Sul/São Paulo), winner in the Foco shorts section; and “Grão” by Gianluca Cozza and Leonardo da Rosa, awarded the Canal Brasil Short Film Prize. The Helena Ignez Prize for best female voice in the festival went to director Gabriela Mureb for “Crash” (Rio de Janeiro).
Closing night: icons of Brazilian culture
The closing session was conceived exclusively for the São Paulo edition and pays tribute to two towering figures of Brazilian culture. The program includes “O Fantasma da Ópera” by Julio Bressane and Rodrigo Lima, and “Palco Cama” by Jura Capela — a film whose narrative revolves around legendary theater director José Celso Martinez Corrêa.
Debate: sovereignty in the age of Big Tech
On March 16 at 5 PM, Cine FAAP (Rua Alagoas, 903 – Higienópolis) hosts the panel “Imaginative Sovereignty: Questions for a Debate”, free and open to the public, with support from FAAP. Filmmaker Lincoln Péricles and producer Rodrigo Teixeira join the conversation, moderated by curator Francis Vogner dos Reis. The panel examines how Brazilian cinema can assert cultural and economic independence in a landscape increasingly shaped by Big Tech platforms.
“The strength and diversity of contemporary Brazilian cinema can be seen in the annual editions of Mostra Tiradentes | SP, which in 2026 celebrates 14 years in São Paulo with the purpose of broadening perspectives, valuing new voices, and presenting a plural panorama of the country’s audiovisual production. The screenings include post-film discussions with filmmakers, encouraging reflection on images and narratives as expressions of their historical moment. Thanks to the partnership with Sesc São Paulo, Brazilian cinema continues to gain ground in the state capital, giving audiences the chance to discover films that rarely reach commercial theaters.” — Raquel Hallak, director of Universo Produção and general coordinator of Mostra Tiradentes | SP
Industry forum publication launch
On March 17 at 10:30 AM, the Sesc 14 Bis Research and Training Center (Rua Dr. Plínio Barreto, 285 – Bela Vista) hosts the São Paulo launch of the 4th Tiradentes Forum – Encounters for Brazilian Audiovisual publication, alongside the 2026 Carta de Tiradentes. The document compiles guidelines developed by over 70 audiovisual professionals and will be submitted to legislative, judicial, and executive bodies at federal, state, and municipal levels. Free admission.
Practical information
14th Mostra Tiradentes | SP
Dates: March 12–18, 2026
CineSesc – Rua Augusta, 2075, Cerqueira César, São Paulo. Ticket prices to be announced. Opening night: free admission — tickets distributed 90 minutes before the screening.
Cine FAAP – Rua Alagoas, 903, Higienópolis. Panel on March 16 at 5 PM. Free admission.
Sesc 14 Bis – Rua Dr. Plínio Barreto, 285, Bela Vista. Forum launch on March 17 at 10:30 AM. Free admission.
Full program: https://mostratiradentessp.com.br/
Photo: Divulgação
