Gabriel Martins

Gabriel Martins
Martins in 2023
Born (1987-12-22) 22 December 1987
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
OccupationsFilmmaker, editor, producer, actor, musician
Years active2005–present

Gabriel Martins (born 22 December 1987) is a Brazilian filmmaker, actor, editor, producer, and musician. He is best known for his social drama films set in Minas Gerais, his home state, including Mars One (2022).

Early life

Martins was born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, on 22 December 1987. Based in the outskirts of Contagem, he graduated from the Free School of Cinema/BH and earned a degree in Social Communication with a specialization in Cinema and Video from the UNA University Center in 2010.[1][2]

Career

Martins began his filmmaking career around 2005, directing short films. Notable short films directed by Martins during this period include Contagem (2010), Dona Sônia Pediu uma Arma para Seu Vizinho Alcides (2011), Meu Amigo Mineiro (2012), and Rapsódia para o Homem Negro (2015).[1]

Alongside fellow Brazilian filmmakers André Novais Oliveira and Maurílio Martins, and producer Thiago Macêdo Correia, he co-created the producing company Filmes de Plástico (Plastic Films) in 2009. Which is focused in producing projects from local filmmakers of Minas Gerais.[3]

His short film Nothing (2017), had its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.[4] In the same year, he also directed a segment in the omnibus terror film The Devil's Knot (2017).[5]

His first feature film In the Heart of the World (2019), was co-directed with his elder brother Maurilio Martins, and follows the everyday life of Contagem's citizens. The film had its world premiere at the 48th International Film Festival Rotterdam, in competition for the Tiger Award.[6]

Mars One (2022) had its world premiere at the World Cinema Dramatic section of the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on 20 January. It follows a black working class family in the outskirts of Belo Horizonte, and their infant dream of becoming an astrophysicist.[7] It was chosen as Brazil's entry in the 95th Academy Awards, marking the first black filmmaker to be selected.[8]

His next film, On Behalf of My Son (2026), will have its world premiere at the Platform section of the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival on 12 September, where it will compete for the Platform Prize.[9] It will be released globally by Netflix in late 2026.[10]

Influences

In 2022, in an interview with Itaú Cultural, in which he stated that filmmakers Eduardo Coutinho, Andrea Tonacci, and Carlos Alberto Prates Correia are major influences on his work.[2]

Filmography

Feature films

Year English Title Original Title Notes
2017 The Devil's Knot O Nó do Diabo Co-directed with Ramon Porto, MotaIan Abé, and Jhésus Tribuzi[11]
2019 In the Heart of the World No Coração do Mundo Also editor
2022 Mars One Marte Um
2026 On Behalf of My Son Vicentina Pede Desculpas

Television

2025 - Silva' Christmas (Miniseries, 5 episodes)[12]

Short films

Year Title Notes
2005 4 Passos [1]
2006 Más Notícias para Franco
2007 O Choque
2008 Beatriz
2009 Filme de Sábado [13]
No Final do Mundo [1]
Gabriel Shaolin Mordock [14]
2010 Contagem Co-directed with Maurilio Martins[15][16]
Pelos de Cachorro
2011 Dona Sônia pediu uma arma para seu vizinho Alcides [17]
2012 Meu Amigo Mineiro Co-directed with Victor Furtado[1]
2014 Aliança Co-directed with João Toledo e Leonardo Amaral[1]
Mundo Incrível Remix [18]
2015 Rapsódia para o Homem Negro [1]
2017 Nothing [4]
2022 Terremoto [19]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "GABRIEL MARTINS – Academia Brasileira de Cinema" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  2. 1 2 "Conheça o diretor de "Marte Um", filme que representará o Brasil no Oscar". Itaú Cultural (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  3. ↑ "A Produtora – Filmes de Plástico" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  4. 1 2 "Nada". Embaúba Play (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2022-05-12. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  5. ↑ "O nó do diabo". Instituto Moreira Salles (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  6. ↑ "No coração do mundo". IFFR EN. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  7. ↑ "'Marte Um', filme nacional em Sundance, não seria feito sob Bolsonaro, diz cineasta". Folha de S.Paulo. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  8. ↑ Keslassy, Elsa (December 15, 2022). "Ava DuVernay's Array Releasing Unveils Trailer for 'Mars One,' Brazil's Oscar Entry (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  9. ↑ Ryan Lattanzio (21 July 2026). "TIFF Reveals Platform Lineup of 12 Films from the Next Generation of Auteurs". IndieWire. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "On Behalf Of My Son, Gabriel Martins' New Film , Selected For The 2026 Toronto International Film Festival" (Press release). Netflix Newsroom. 21 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "O nó do diabo". Instituto Moreira Salles (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  12. ↑ Ribeiro, Giovanna (27 November 2025). "O Natal dos Silva: Criador da série explica a construção de uma 'família de excessos'". Notícias da TV. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  13. ↑ Filme de Sábado. canalcurta.tv.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-08-19 – via www.portacurtas.com.br.
  14. ↑ "Gabriel Shaolin Mordock – Filmes de Plástico" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  15. ↑ "Contagem". Embaúba Play (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  16. ↑ "Pelos de Cachorro – Filmes de Plástico" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  17. ↑ "Dona Sônia pediu uma arma para seu vizinho Alcides". Embaúba Play (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  18. ↑ "Mundo Incrível Remix – Filmes de Plástico" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-08-19.
  19. ↑ Terremoto. canalcurta.tv.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-08-19 – via www.portacurtas.com.br.
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