Érica Faleiro Rodrigues (course coordinator)
Érica Faleiro Rodrigues works as an assistant professor and researcher in Lusófona University's Department of Cinema and Media Arts, Lisbon, specialising in European Film Heritage and Research Methodologies. She is also currently a leading writer in the European alliance FilmEU. Holding a degree in film direction from the University of the Arts, London, she pursued a master's in Television Drama at Goldsmiths College, University of London. Presently, she is concluding her doctorate at Birkbeck College, examining "Women in Portuguese Cinema Before and After the Revolution". As a member of AIM - Association of Moving Image Researchers, she actively co-heads the Cinema, Music, Sound and Language group. Recognising her filmmaker contributions, the British government awarded her a Skillset Millennium Fellowship for documentaries on art's impact on refugees. She has lectured at University of London, University ofLisbon and Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Proactive in conference organisation across Portugal and the UK, Faleiro Rodrigues has also penned numerous articles and served as a film critic for a Portuguese weekly newspaper. At London's Barbican Arts Centre, she curated films, liaising with industry luminaries and was for 12 years director of UTOPIA - UK Portuguese Film Festival. In 2017, she launched in Lisbon the festival Underscore, a music , film and archive festival. Faleiro recently obtained a ICA grant in Portugal for a documentary spotlighting pioneer Portuguese female filmmakers.
Rita Grácio
Rita Grácio completed her PhD in Sociology at the University of Exeter, UK, and achieved her MA and BA qualifications in Sociology from the University of Coimbra, Portugal. Currently, she holds the position of Assistant Professor at Lusófona University. In this capacity, she instructs on Organisational Behaviour and Communication, catering to students at both undergraduate and master's levels. Beyond her teaching commitments, Grácio plays an active role in the European alliance FilmEU task force. Within the research domain, Grácio affiliates with CICANT at Lusófona University. Her involvement in research is evident in her participation in several European-funded projects. Notable among these are filmEU (Eramus+: 101004047, EPP-EUR-UNIV-202), FilmEU_RIT (H2020: 101035820), and RestART Europe, a programme focused on mentoring female entrepreneurs in the European arts and creative sectors (2021-1-FR01-KA220). She has dedicated her research to various areas within sociology, including arts and culture, artistic practices and identities, organisational structures, and cultural industries. She also analyses the roles of producers, amateurs, and audiences, alongside topics like creativity, gender, digital landscapes, visual culture, and organisational dynamics.
Diego Barajas Riaño
Diego Barajas Riaño, is a cinematographer and film director from Colombia, is associated with the ADFC and has an extensive portfolio covering feature films, short films, television, and documentaries that have captivated global audiences. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in Audiovisual Arts and Media Studies at Tallinn University, Estonia, and is a dedicated member of the European alliance FilmEU. His professional path has led to collaborations with production entities like ARTE and Radio Télévision Suisse, producing projects across continents such as Asia, Africa, Europe, and America. These works have been featured in distinguished film festivals including IDFA, Tampere FF, Uppsala IFF, San Sebastian, SXSW in Austin, and Tallinn's Black Nights Film Festival. Beyond cinematography, Riaño has directed both fiction and documentary short films. Academically, he earned his BA in Film and Television from the National University of Colombia and later secured an MA in Cinematography from the European Union's VIEWfinder programme, graduating with cum laude honours.
Stella Carneiro
Stella Carneiro, originating from Recife, Pernambuco in Brazil, is a film director, writer, and visual artist. She is an active member of the Task Force of the European Alliance FilmEU. Carneiro´s's body of work spans over thirty short films, numerous Brazilian feature films, and television series, with collaborations involving prominent Brazilian production companies such as Gullane, Paris Entertainment, TV Globo, and REC Produtores. She completed her degree in Film and Communication at FAAP in São Paulo and furthered her studies with an MA in Screenwriting through the Erasmus Kino Eyes - The European Fiction Masters programme. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD at FilmEU in Universidade Lusófona, mentored by Inês Gil. Stella's recent engagements include working as an assistant screenwriter for the second season of the TV series 'Jailers' and teaming up with director Marcelo Gomes for the film 'Joaquim', which premiered at Berlinale. One of her screenplays garnered an Honorable Mention at the notable FRAPA screenplay festival in Porto Alegre. Her short films have been selected for notable events like the Baltic Pitching Forum 2020, the Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), and the Brussels Short Film Festival. Additionally, Stella was a jury member at the 14th Festa do Cinema Italiano in Lisbon.
Tarun Madupu (Podcasts sound design)
Tarun Madupu is a sound designer, composer and filmmaker who graduated from Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music and later earned his Masters from Kino Eyes - The European Movie Masters. Tarun is a member of the FilmEU alliance task force. Drawing from his education and hands-on experience in film and music, he possesses a deep understanding of how film, narratives and soundscapes intertwine to create impactful art. Having worked in both India and Europe, he brings a distinctive perspective to filmmaking and aspires to make significant contributions to the field.
