CECÍLIA CARVALHAL
Filmmaker · Educator · Interdisciplinary Artist | Theatre · Film · Performance · New Media
PROFILE
Filmmaker, educator, and interdisciplinary artist with over thirteen years of professional experience in film and television production, including credits with Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, HBO, Universal Pictures, and the BBC. Currently completing a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (Intermedia) at the University of Maine, building on an MFA in Intermedia and a BA in Theatre Directing. Extensive experience across the full production pipeline as 1st Assistant Director, 2nd AD, Script Supervisor, and Director. Active directing practice with feature documentary currently in production. Committed to fostering creative, critical, and inclusive learning environments grounded in professional practice.
EDUCATION
PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies — Intermedia 2025–Present
University of Maine, Orono, ME
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) — Intermedia 2023–2025
University of Maine, Orono, ME
Bachelor of Arts — Performing Arts (Theatre Directing) 2009
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
TEACHING & ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant — New Media Program 2025–2027
University of Maine
Instruction and mentoring of undergraduate students in digital media production, video art, and capstone projects. Supported student-driven research and facilitated critical engagement with emerging media technologies and artistic practices. Guided students through screenwriting fundamentals and narrative development for fiction and documentary projects.
Guest Lecturer — Video Art 2025
Old Town High School, Old Town, ME
Invited to introduce high school students to the history and practice of video art. Led a hands-on workshop in which students researched key video artists and produced their own original video works.
Graduate Assistant — School of Performing Arts 2022–2025
University of Maine
Supported costume design courses and collaborative theatre productions. Mentored students in costume
construction, technical skill development, and interdisciplinary creative processes.
Volunteer Theatre Instructor — Amigos da Escola Program 2008
Escola Municipal Roma, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Designed and facilitated theatre workshops for public school students. Directed collaborative performances rooted in students’ lived experiences and perceptions of Rio de Janeiro, presented as part of the city’s anniversary celebration.
Theatre Outreach Intern — Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) 2009
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Performed in science-communication theatre productions for public school audiences. Led post-performance discussions connecting theatre, scientific literacy, and civic education.
DIRECTING CREDITS
The Lobsterman
In Production, Expected 2027Feature Documentary | Director & Producer | Independent
A portrait of a 90-year-old lobsterman navigating memory, identity, and a lifetime at sea off the coast of Maine.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
• Contributor, Nise: The Heart of Madness — Grand Prix Award, 28th Tokyo International Film Festival (2015).
Recognized for artistic excellence and international impact.
• Contributor, Manhãs de Setembro (September Mornings) — Best Fiction Series, Grande Prêmio do Cinema
Brasileiro (2023). Work as 1st Assistant Director.
• Contributor, Macabro (Macabre) — Audience Award for Best Film, Brooklyn Film Festival (2020).
• Director of Photography, Drowning in Air — Winner, Undergraduate Category Award, University of Maine
Student Symposium (UMSS25, 2025).
• Selected MFA Student, Visions: Video Mapping Projection Exhibition, Collins Center for the Arts, ME (2025).
PROFESSIONAL FILM & TELEVISION CREDITS
Feature Films
2nd AD — Fervo | Star Original | Dir. Felipe Joffily | Movie & Art (2020)
2nd AD — Alemão 2 | RT Features | Dir. José Eduardo Belmonte (2019)
2nd AD — Macabro | Zazen Productions | Dir. Marcos Prado (2018)
3rd AD — Duas de Mim | Migdal Films | Dir. Cininha de Paula (2017)
3rd AD — Bach in Brazil | Conspiração Films / NFP | Dir. Ansgar Ahlers (2014)
2nd AD (2nd Unit) — Trash | Universal Pictures / Working Title | Dir. Stephen Daldry (2014)
2nd AD — Nise: The Heart of Madness | TV Zero | Dir. Roberto Berliner (2012)
Television & Streaming
1st AD — September Mornings, S2 | Amazon Prime Video | Dir. Luis Pinheiro (2021)
2nd AD — The President, S2 | Amazon Prime Video | Dir. Armando Bo (2021)
2nd AD — Uncoupled in Rio | Amazon Prime Video | Dir. Anne Guimarães | FJ Productions (2020)
2nd AD — Invisible City, S1 | Netflix | Dir. Carlos Saldanha | Prodigo Films (2019)
2nd AD — The Mechanism, S1–2 | Netflix | Dir. José Padilha, Marcos Prado, Daniel Rezende | Zazen (2018)
2nd AD — Os Suburbanos, S2 | Multishow | Dir. Luciano Sabino | Hungry Man (2018)
2nd AD — The Payback | Plural Entertainment / Urca Films | Dir. Hugo de Souza (2016)
3rd AD — As Canalhas, S2 | GNT | Dir. Vicente Amorin | Migdal Films (2015)
3rd AD — The Miracles of Jesus | Record | Dir. João Camargo, Regis Faria, Caetano Caruso (2013)
3rd AD — Destino Rio de Janeiro | HBO | Dir. Fabio Mendonça & Cesar Charlone | O2 Films (2013)
Non-Fiction & Cooking Shows
Director of Unit — Mundo Sem Mulheres | BBC | Dir. Paschoal Samora | Conspiração Films (2013)
1st AD — Que Marravilha | GNT | Dir. Snir Wein | Zola Productions (2016)
Script Supervisor — Bela Cozinha | GNT | Dir. Pedro Waddington | Conspiração Films (2015)
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
Is Natural, and Other Frictions Under Review
Journal for Artistic Research (JAR) — Submitted
Reimagining Identity Through Embodied Resistance 2025
University of Maine Digital Commons
Practice-based research project exploring the intersections of performance, embodiment, and identity politics.
GRANTS & RESEARCH FUNDING
Center for Craft Research Fund — Project Grant 2025 (In Review)
University of Maine“Between Baby Dolls and Baianas: Craft as Female Resistance in the Afro-Diasporic Carnivals of New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro”— Research grant examining craft practices as sites of feminist and diasporic resistance across two major carnival traditions.
SELECTED ARTISTIC PROJECTS & EXHIBITIONS
I AM — MFA Thesis Exhibition | Lord Hall Gallery, University of Maine (2025)
Visions: Video Mapping Projection Exhibition | Collins Center for the Arts, UMaine (2025)
Creative Collision — Group Exhibition | University of Maine (2025)
A Work of Light and Shadows — Group Exhibition | Fort Knox / Intermedia MFA (2024)
Threads: Interweaving Multiple Feminisms — Group Exhibition | Rockland, ME (2024)
There Is No Us Without U — Exhibition | Center for Artistic Activism, UMaine (2024)
Site / Non-Site — Group Exhibition | University of Maine (2024)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) 2025
University of Maine
Completed training in inclusive pedagogy, assessment design, and active learning strategies.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Expanded Cinema · Collective theatre practices · Community-engaged research · Artistic research · Performance
and social practice · Gender, embodiment & civic agency · Film studies & video art · Afro-diasporic cultural
practices
TECHNICAL & CREATIVE SKILLS
Video Editing: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve
Production Software: Movie Magic Scheduling, Final Draft (screenwriting)
Design: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Canva
Interactive Media: Millumin, Isadora
Web: WordPress, Squarespace
Photography: DSLR operation, lighting, composition
LANGUAGES
Portuguese (Native) | English (Fluent) | Spanish (Fluent)