LA URSA
Founded in 2015 by Alagoas-based filmmakers Rafhael Barbosa and Felipe Guimarães, La Ursa Cinematográfica has been expanding its reach in recent years, forging new paths alongside the contemporary Alagoas cinema movement.
In addition to producing internationally awarded short films, festivals, and educational activities, the company is currently producing three feature films and a television medium-length film, along with other projects in development.
The feature film in development Filhas do Mangue, directed by Stella Carneiro, was selected by the Factory Cannes-Ceará program to represent Brazil’s Northeast region at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in 2025.
Among the company’s main releases is the short film A Barca, directed by Nilton Resende. Inspired by the work of writer Lygia Fagundes Telles, the production has participated in over 100 festivals across 20 countries, including the Tiradentes Film Festival and the Havana Film Festival. It was also a finalist for the Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro. A Barca has won 39 awards and was licensed by Canal Brasil and the Itaú Cultural Play platform.
In 2021, La Ursa released its first feature-length documentary Cavalo in Brazilian theaters, in partnership with Descoloniza Filmes. Despite being launched during the pandemic, the film received strong reception from audiences and critics alike, premiering in 25 movie theaters across Brazil’s major capital cities. It was also released simultaneously on digital platforms and licensed by Canal Brasil.
In an associate production with Aqua Studio, Sambacaitá, and Cana Filmes, La Ursa produced the animated short film Diafragma, directed by Robson Cavalcante. The film premiered at Olhar de Cinema – 34th International Film Festival, and later stood out at events such as the São Paulo International Short Film Festival – Curta Kinoforum and the 33rd Cine Ceará – Ibero-American Film Festival.
La Ursa’s current projects in production include the fiction features Olhe para Mim (in post-production) and the animated film Utopia (in production), both directed by Rafhael Barbosa; Ed. Lygia (in pre-production) by Nilton Resende; and Filhas do Mangue by Stella Carneiro. The company is also producing the medium-length television film Maninha Xukuru-Kariri, directed by Celso Brandão and Aldemir Barros.
