Photo: Monika Davies
BIO
I am a filmmaker based in Scotland and a practice-based PhD candidate in Film Directing at Edinburgh College of Art. My research explores new ways of reimagining borders and human displacement through creative non-fiction films.
My debut short as a director began with Newcomers (Belgium, 15 min, 2013), which premiered at the Rio de Janeiro Int'l Short Film Festival. Since then, I had over eight years of experience in film & television, and my editing work has been broadcast on RTBF, Globo TV, and Discovery Channel Latin America, and featured at festivals worldwide. In 2022, I was selected for the Berlinale Talents, and my latest short, Headland (UK, 13 min, 2024), was commissioned by the Scottish Documentary Institute. It premiered at the Edinburgh Short Film Festival and was recently selected for the 2025 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (US).
Collaboration lies at the heart of my creative process. I believe that when diverse perspectives come together, they spark the most exciting and innovative ideas. Whether on set, in the editing room, at university teaching and supervising student projects or when working as a researcher, I aim to create a welcoming, open environment where everyone feels encouraged to share and experiment. For me, filmmaking is as much about crafting a strong final piece as it is about enjoying the journey. I approach each project with a deep passion for storytelling and the rich tapestry of intercultural experiences I’ve gathered throughout my life and career.
SELECTED FILM AND TV PROJECTS
Headland (Director), 2024, UK, Documentary (Creative), 13min
Thread (Editor), UK/Brazil, In Post-Production, Documentary (Creative), Approx. 85min
Three Graces (Editor), 2021, Brazil, Drama, 20min
Faux Detective (Editor), 2019, Estonia, Drama, 6min
Albergue Carioca (Editor), 2014, Brazil, Doc-Reality Television/Discovery TLC, 16 Episodes x 45min
Newcomers (Director), 2013, Belgium, Documentary, 15min
Sparkling Girls (Editor), 2012, Brazil, Television, Globo Studios, 10 Episodes x 45min
The Life We Lead (Editor), 2011, Brazil, Television, Globo Studios, 18 Episodes x 45min
EDUCATION
PhD by Practice in Film Directing (part-time), 2021–Present
Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh
MA in Film Editing – Kino Eyes Erasmus Film Masters, 2018–2020
Screen Academy Scotland (UK), Baltic Film School (Estonia), Lusófona University (Portugal)
Screen Academy Scotland (UK), Baltic Film School (Estonia), Lusófona University (Portugal)
PUBLICATIONS
📖 Duarte, Mariana. A Camera in the Water: Reframing the Migrant Image in Documentary Film, Screen, Volume 65, Issue 2, Summer 2024, Pages 212–232. Read here
LANGUAGES
Portuguese (Native)
English (Fluent)
Italian (Intermediate)