Brazilian actress joins a new generation of filmmakers pursuing international recognition through auteur-driven projects
Brazilian actress and director Roxy Fernandez, a member of the Brazilian Academy of Cinema, is entering a new phase of professional growth as she solidifies her transition into directing and invests in building an international career in the audiovisual industry.
Working between Brazil and the United States, the artist is developing original, auteur-driven projects that engage with contemporary cinema and reflect a broader movement of Brazilian filmmakers seeking opportunities beyond their home country.
Trained in Theater, Television, and Film at the Wolf Maya Actors School, and certified as a professional theater technician, Roxy began her artistic journey as an actress in Brazil’s independent film scene. In recent years, she has shifted her creative focus toward directing, with a particular interest in auteur cinema, the symbolic power of imagery, and narratives that explore social and human issues.
Her membership in the Academia Brasileira de Cinema (Brazilian Academy of Cinema) underscores her active role within the industry and expands her influence beyond artistic creation. As a voting member of the Grande Otelo Awards and part of the committee responsible for selecting Brazil’s official submission to the Academy Awards, she takes part in discussions and decisions that help shape the future of Brazilian cinema.
Her international expansion aligns with a broader trend in Brazil’s audiovisual sector. According to data from Agência Nacional do Cinema (Ancine), although female participation in the industry has grown, women still hold fewer than 25% of directing positions in Brazilian feature films. In response, many female filmmakers have pursued artistic residencies, international partnerships, and project development abroad as a strategy to gain greater access to funding, professional networks, and global distribution.
“Building an international career is not about leaving Brazil behind, but about expanding horizons,” says Roxy Fernandez. “Engaging with different cinematic traditions allows me to refine my perspective as a director and to understand cinema as a global language without losing my artistic identity.”
Influenced by auteur cinema and surrealism, she cites filmmakers such as Jean-Luc Godard, Luis Buñuel, Quentin Tarantino, Angelina Jolie, and Martin Scorsese as key references in shaping her aesthetic vision. A strong interest in black-and-white productions, symbolic visual composition, and creative autonomy defines her ongoing development as a filmmaker.
By pursuing a career that moves across countries and cinematic languages, Roxy Fernandez joins a new generation of women positioning Brazilian cinema on the international stage—not only as performers, but as creators, directors, and active agents within the global film industry.
