CECÍLIA CARVALHAL
Interdisciplinary Artist & Researcher | Theatre · Film · Performance · New Media
+1 (207) 974-9755 | cecilia.andrade@maine.edu | ceciliacarvalhal.com | IMDb Profile
PROFILE
Interdisciplinary artist, researcher, and educator with over 15 years of professional experience spanning film production, theatre direction, performance, and new media. 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. Research examines how conventional documentary's presupposition of singular authorship structurally limits the collective knowledge produced when communities act as co-producers, drawing on collective and community-engaged performance practice, artistic research methodologies, and questions of authorship, embodiment, and epistemology. Extensive international production credits for Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, HBO, Universal Pictures, and the BBC. Committed to fostering creative, critical, and inclusive learning environments.
EDUCATION
PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies — Intermedia 2025–Present
University of Maine, Orono, ME
Dissertation: "When the Documentary Loses Control" — Advisor: Susan Smith
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
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Documentary authorship & epistemology · Collective and participatory knowledge production · Artistic research · Performance and social practice · Community-engaged filmmaking · Embodiment & civic agency · Afro-diasporic cultural practices
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.
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.
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 & PUBLICATIONS
Reimagining Identity Through Embodied Resistance 2025
University of Maine Digital Commons
Practice-based research project exploring the intersections of performance, embodiment, and identity politics.
FELLOWSHIPS & SELECTED PROGRAMS
Mixed Methods Summer Intensive for Practice-Based Researchers 2026
Penn State University | July 2026 | Selected, national cohort of 10 participants; program on belonging, agency, and community-engaged mixed-methods research
SELECTED ARTISTIC PROJECTS & EXHIBITIONS
Nutrients of Longing — Video Performance, Welcome Home Group Exhibition 2026
MCA Gallery, Phoenix, AZ | June 12, 2026 | Guest artist, inaugural launch event for the Welcome Home Artists Platform, exhibited alongside Ozlem Yeni, Chris Agnese, and Kristy Miologos
Sensing the Coast: An Art-Science Collaboration — Event Documentation 2026
Art of Biddeford, Pepperell Mill Campus, Biddeford, ME | July 2026 | Videographer — filmed installation, opening reception, and artist interviews
I AM — MFA Thesis Exhibition 2025
Lord Hall Gallery, University of Maine
Visions: Video Mapping Projection Exhibition 2025
Collins Center for the Arts, University of Maine | Selected MFA Student
Creative Collision — Group Exhibition 2025
University of Maine
A Work of Light and Shadows — Group Exhibition 2024
Fort Knox / Intermedia MFA
Threads: Interweaving Multiple Feminisms — Group Exhibition 2024
Rockland, ME
There Is No Us Without U — Exhibition 2024
Center for Artistic Activism, University of Maine
Site / Non-Site — Group Exhibition 2024
University of Maine
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Director of Photography — Drowning in Air 2025
Winner, Undergraduate Category Award — University of Maine Student Symposium (UMSS25)
Contributor — September Mornings 2023
Winner, Best Fiction Series — Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro
Contributor — Macabro 2020
Audience Award for Best Film — Brooklyn Film Festival
Contributor — Nise: The Heart of Madness2015
Grand Prix Award — Tokyo International Film Festival
DIRECTING CREDITS
The Lobsterman
In Production, Expected 2026
Feature 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.
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 — Macabre | 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 2021 I Armando Bo I Salado Media 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
TECHNICAL & CREATIVE SKILLS
Video Editing: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve
Design: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Canva
Interactive Media: Millumin, Isadora
Production Software: Movie Magic Scheduling, Final Draft (screenwriting)
Web: WordPress, Squarespace
Photography: DSLR operation, lighting, composition
LANGUAGES
Portuguese (Native) English (Fluent) Spanish (Fluent)