Wislan Esmeraldo is a screenwriter and filmmaker from Ceará, Brazil. He holds a degree in Cinema and Audiovisual Studies from the Federal University of Ceará. Among his screenwriting credits is the feature film “MOTEL DESTINO” (2024), directed by Karim Aïnouz, which competed for the Palme d’Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Wislan has participated in major film festivals with his short films “TENHO UM DRAGÃO QUE MORA COMIGO” (2014) and “PARA MINHA MÃE” (2015). He is the co-director and co-writer of the TV movie “GUERRA DA TAPIOCA” (2017), a co-production between Tardo and Globo Filmes, as well as of the TV series “IDENTIDADE, #TRANSVIVE” (Tardo), “SE AVEXE NÃO” (TV Brasil/EBC), and “TRAGO A PESSOA AMADA” (Prime Box Brasil), both produced by Orla Filmes. He also co-directed the documentary feature “UM PEDAÇO DO MUNDO” (2022). His debut fiction feature script, “O RIO”, which was selected for numerous festivals and labs—winning Best Screenplay at Guiões 2019 and receiving an Honorable Mention at FRAPA 2018 – Festival de Roteiro Audiovisual de Porto Alegre—will be filmed in 2025, co-directed with Hilton Lacerda and produced by Carnaval Filmes.
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Audiovisual Studies – Federal University of Ceará (2015)
Filmography
- “MOTEL DESTINO” (2024) – Feature Film. Screenwriter. Production: Cinema Inflamável and Gullane. Directed by Karim Aïnouz.
- “TRAGO A PESSOA AMADA” (2024) – Series. Writer and Director. Platform: Prime Box Brasil.
- “UM PEDAÇO DO MUNDO” (2023) – Feature Film. Co-Director and Co-Writer.
- “O RIO” (in development) – Feature Film. Screenwriter. Production: Carnaval Filmes. Directed by Wislan Esmeraldo and Hilton Lacerda.
- “MADRUGADA” (in development) – Feature Film. Screenwriter. Production: Carnaval Filmes. Directed by Armando Praça.
- “ALTO PARAÍSO” (in development) – Feature Film. Screenwriter. Production: Moveo Filmes. Directed by Juliane Peixoto and Diego Hoefel.
- “IDENTIDADE #TRANSVIVE” (2020) – Documentary Series. Writer and Director.
- “SE AVEXE NÃO” (2024) – Series. Writer and Director.
- “PEDRO” (2013) – Documentary/Experimental. Director.
- “TENHO UM DRAGÃO QUE MORA COMIGO” (2014) – Fiction Short. Director, Screenwriter, and Editor.
- “PARA MINHA MÃE” (2015) – Fiction Short. Director and Screenwriter.
- “GUERRA DA TAPIOCA” (2017) – Medium-Length Fiction. Co-Director and Co-Writer.
Awards and Nominations
- “PEDRO” (2013)
- Carta Film Showcase – Official Selection.
- NOIA Brazilian University Film Festival – Official Selection.
- “TENHO UM DRAGÃO QUE MORA COMIGO” (2014)
- 14th Goiânia Mostra Curtas – Best Film.
- 1st MOV International University Film Festival of Pernambuco – Best Film.
- 25th Cine Ceará – “A Ficção Necessária” Award.
- 13th NOIA Brazilian University Film Festival – Best Supporting Actor for Wellington Silva.
- “PARA MINHA MÃE” (2015)
- Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival – Official Selection.
- 26th Cine Ceará Ibero-American Film Festival – Official Selection.
- 4th Belém Audiovisual Festival – Official Selection.
- 23rd Vitória Film Festival – Official Selection.