Rafael Leal is a Brazilian filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer. Creator and head writer of the series “PASSINHO – O RITMO DOS SONHOS” (Disney+), Rafael has worked on dozens of screenplays over the past decade, including notable projects such as the series “A DONA DA BANCA” (CinebrasilTV), “JUNGLE PILOT” (Universal), and the feature film “CEDO DEMAIS” (Star+). He holds a PhD in Film and Audiovisual Studies from UFF (Brazil), with a DAAD-funded research exchange at LMU Munich (Germany). Rafael has served as a script consultant on numerous series and films, including the hit “O SEQUESTRO DO VOO 375” (Star+), and has mentored over 350 writers through programs such as Netflix’s Segundo Ato. As co-founder of Dédalo, Rafael produced the short film Mergulho, screened at over 100 festivals including the 2023 Rio Film Festival, and the upcoming short Memórias com vista pro mar (in post-production). His VR documentary game “PRIVILEGE GAME SHOW” was recently awarded production funding by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and is set to begin production in 2025. He currently teaches screenwriting and virtual reality at film schools in Brazil and Germany.
Education
- PhD in Film and Audiovisual Studies – Universidade Federal Fluminense (2022)
- Doctoral Research Exchange (DAAD Scholarship) – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2021)
- Master’s in Performing Arts – Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (2016
- Bachelor’s in Social Communication/Film – Universidade Federal Fluminense (2003–2006)
Filmography
- “PASSINHO – O RITMO DOS SONHOS” (2025) – Head writer, co-creator. Boutique Filmes / Disney+.
- “PRIVILEGE GAME SHOW” (2025) – VR documentary game. Co-creator, writer, director. Produced by Arkanum Pictures GmbH. Funded by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg. Selected for NewImages Development Market (Paris).
- “A DONA DA BANCA” (2025) – Head writer, co-creator, showrunner. Dédalo / Raccord / CineBrasilTV.
- “ALEIJADINHO VIRTUAL” (2023) – Interactive VR experience. Studio KwO. Screenwriter.
- “MEMÓRIA DA OFENSA” (2023) – Co-creator, co-writer, co-producer. Dédalo / TVZero. Development supported by Riofilme.
- “CEDO DEMAIS” (2023) – Screenwriter. Raccord / FOX Films / Star+.
- “O MANÍACO DA PRAIA DO CASSINO” (2021) – Co-writer. Warner / HB (Development).
- “PORTAS DO INFERNO / AS PORTAS DO INFERNO” (2021) – Game. Creative supervisor. Cinema Cinema (Brasília).
- “AMERICANA” (2020) – Screenwriter. Fox / Disney (Development).
- “JUNGLE PILOTS” (2019) – Co-creator, head writer (first development). NBC / Universal / Giros Interativa.
- “BLACK RIO” (2019) – Co-creator, screenwriter. Espiral (Development).
- “LADRÃO QUE ROUBA LADRÃO” (“THIEF”) (2018) – Creator, screenwriter, producer. Dédalo Produções (Development). Selected by ANCINE’s Prodav 3 “Creative Hubs” fund.
- “MARÉ VERMELHA” (2018) – Co-writer. Raccord Produções (Development). Selected by ANCINE’s Prodav 3 fund.
- “CINE PRIVÊ” (2017) – Co-writer, producer. Selected by ANCINE’s Prodav 3 fund.
- “BATIDÃO” (2017) – Co-creator, screenwriter. Conspiração Filmes (Development).
- “ENTRE NÓS” (2017) – Screenwriter. Guerrilha Filmes (Development). Selected by ANCINE’s Prodav 4 fund.
- “SISTEMA SOLAR” (2015) – Screenwriter. República Pureza Filmes (Development). Selected by ANCINE’s Prodav 1 fund.
- “AS CANALHAS” (2014) – Screenwriter. GNT / Migdal Filmes.
- “PAIXÃO FC” (2013) – Co-producer, screenwriter. Dédalo / Raccord. Selected by RioFilme for development and pilot production.
- “PERDIDOS” (2012) – Screenwriter. Raccord Produções (Development). Selected for the 1st Globosat Screenwriter Development Program.