The publication launched in Brasília presents a survey of 1,104 films directed by black people between 1949 and 2022
Cine Brasília, in the federal capital, hosted the launch of the publication Cinemateca Negra this Thursday (26th March 2026). The initiative is from the NICHO 54 Institute and marks a new chapter in the systematization of data on black people in the country.
The work presents a survey of 1,104 films directed by black people from 1949 to 2022, including short, medium-length and feature films. The data reveals that 83% were carried out from 2010 onwards.
In an exclusive interview with Agência Brasil, the executive director of NICHO 54, Fernanda Lomba, highlighted that the publication was born from concrete experience within the audiovisual sector and from a movement of collective articulation. “I started as an executive producer, occupying decision-making, power and negotiation spaces. And dealing with racism in these environments was very evident. In 2019, after an experience at international festivals such as Cannes, I understood the importance of structuring a support network in Brazil for black professionals, with a focus on community and articulation”, he stated.
According to Fernanda, the institute initially emerged with three fronts: training, market and curation. Over time, it expanded its activities to include research and international advocacy. “Today, NICHO also works to produce data and evidence. This qualifies the debate and allows for better decision-making in public management, in addition to facilitating access to opportunities that are often not articulated”these.
The research that resulted in Cinemateca Negra involved 8 researchers over more than a year, from 2023 to 2024. The work gathered information from festival catalogs, exhibitions, courses, digital files, academic publications and direct contacts with filmmakers and their descendants.
For Lomba, the impact of the publication goes beyond the historical record. “For the first time, we have gathered in one place a consistent overview of films directed by black people in Brazil. This transforms the field of curation, expands the repertoire and opens the way for new research, thematic exhibitions and dialogues between generations of Brazilian cinema”, he explained.
The initiative originated in 2018, based on research by coordinator Heitor Augusto. He began mapping out short films to curate for festivals. With Lomba joining the institute in 2019, the project gained a national scale and resulted in the current mapping.
The publication has a preface by the Minister of Culture, Margareth Menezes, and includes excerpts on direction, interracial co-direction, gender and lists of professionals identified in the research.
This text was originally published by Agência Brasil at 9:39 am on March 26, 2026 and adapted for publication by Poder360.
