Discover the list of actors, directors and technicians from Brazil who are part of the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences
The Brazilian presence at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood has never been discussed as much as in 2026. With national cinema in the spotlight due to the success of productions such as “I’m Still Here” and “The Secret Agent”, the doubt about who are the Brazilians voting at the 2026 Oscars gained strength, especially after international comments about the influence of this group.
Currently, it is estimated that Brazil has around 60 to 65 voting members at the Academy, a record number, but which still represents less than 1% of the organization’s total of almost 11 thousand members. These professionals, divided between actors, directors, producers and technicians, are responsible for helping to choose the best films of the year.
How voting works
To understand the weight of the Brazilian vote, it is necessary to understand the Academy system. The general rule is: each member votes in their specific category to define the nominees (actors vote for actors, directors for directors). However, to choose the winner of the main prize, the Best Filmall voting members, regardless of area, can participate.
This means that names like Fernanda Montenegro and Wagner Moura help define the acting nominees, while directors like Fernando Meirelles vote in the directing category.
Brazilian actors and actresses at the Academy
The field of activity is the most visible and has some of the most prestigious names in television drama and national cinema. Among the confirmed voters for the 2026 edition are:
- Fernanda Montenegro: The lady of theater and cinema, nominated for an Oscar for Central do Brasil.
- Fernanda Torres: Member of the Academy (and highlight in the 2026 season), daughter of Fernanda Montenegro.
- Sonia Braga: International icon, known for Kiss of the Spider Woman and Bacurau.
- Alice Braga: Star of Hollywood productions such as I Am Legend.
- Wagner Moura: Globally recognized for Narcos and Civil War.
- Selton Mello: Actor and director, recently praised for Still Here.
- Rodrigo Santoro: With a long international career in works such as 300 and Westworld.
- Maeve Jinkings: Acclaimed independent film actress, recently invited (class of 2024).
Directors and screenwriters
Brazilian filmmakers have a strong representation and include names that have already competed for the statuette or won awards in Cannes and Berlin:
- Walter Salles: Director of Central do Brasil and Motorcycle Diaries.
- Fernando Meirelles: Nominated for an Oscar for City of God.
- Kleber Mendonça Filho: Director of Bacurau and The Secret Agent.
- José Padilha: Director of Elite Squad and RoboCop.
- Anna Muylaert: Director of Que Horas Ela Volta?.
- Karim Aïnouz: Director of The Invisible Life.
- Carlos Saldanha: One of the biggest names in world animation (Ice Age, Rio).
- Alê Abreu: Nominated for an Oscar for Animation for The Boy and the World.
Technicians, producers and musicians
In addition to the famous faces, Brazil has very high-level technical voters, respected in the global industry:
- Adriano Goldman: Cinematographer (Emmy winner for The Crown).
- Affonso Beato: Renowned cinematographer, frequent collaborator of Pedro Almodóvar.
- Lula Carvalho: Director of photography.
- Carlinhos Brown: Musician and composer, nominated for an Oscar for the soundtrack to Rio.
- Antonio Pinto: Composer (Cidade de Deus, Amy).
- Marcelo Zarvos: Compositor.
- Petra Costa: Documentary filmmaker nominated for an Oscar for Democracy in Vertigo.
- Karen Akerman: Publisher and editor.
- Andrea Barata Ribeiro: Producer (O2 Filmes).
New members and recent expansion
The Academy has made an effort to diversify its voting pool. In recent cycles (classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025), several Brazilians were invited, increasing the country’s influence.
Among the most recent additions already participating in Oscar 2026 voting are:
- Maeve Jinkings (Atriz)
- Carlos Segundo (Director)
- Plínio Profeta (Musician)
- Renata de Almeida Magalhães (Producer)
- Juliana Rojas (Director)
- Jorge Bodanzky (Documentarian)
The “block vote” controversy
In the 2026 season, a controversy arose involving Spanish director Oliver Laxe, who suggested that Brazilians would be “ultranationalists” and would vote en masse for their own productions. However, the data disproves this theory that Brazil could decide the Oscars alone.
With just over 60 members in a universe of more than 10 thousand voters, Brazilians represent approximately 0.6% of the Academy. Although the group is united and committed to promoting national cinema, it is mathematically impossible for them to elect a winner without the massive support of American and European voters.
The growing presence of Brazilians at the Oscar Academy reflects the maturation and internationalization of our audiovisual industry. More than just voting, these professionals ensure that Latin and Brazilian productions are watched and considered in one of the most competitive awards in the world.
