More than 50 festivals, screenings with Hollywood stars, and a hands-on approach: understand the 'I'm still here' Oscar campaign
More than 50 festivals, screenings with Hollywood stars, and a hands-on approach: understand the 'I'm still here' Oscar campaign .      Alongside Walter Salles and Selton Mello, Fernanda Torres travels the world to get the feature film noticed: 'A foreign film must seek votes in Europe, Latin America, and Asia as much as in the United States', she explains Venice, Toronto, New York, Hamptons, Los Angeles, London, San Sebastian, Biarritz, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Lyon, Paris, Ping Yao, Marrakech, Los Angeles again... Since its debut in September at the Venice Film Festival in Italy, where it won the best screenplay award, "I'm still here" has been filling up the passports of its crew.
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Venice, Toronto, New York, Hamptons, Los Angeles, London, San Sebastian, Biarritz, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Lyon, Paris, Ping Yao, Marrakech, Los Angeles again... Since its debut in September at the Venice Film Festival in Italy, where it won the best screenplay award, "I'm still here" has been filling up the passports of its crew.

The film, which has drawn the largest Brazilian cinema audience since the pandemic with 2.3 million tickets sold, is actively campaigning for an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature Film. The awards will be held on March 2. It's an endeavor that demands dedication, particularly from director Walter Salles and lead actors Fernanda Torres and Selton Mello, who portray Eunice and Rubens Paiva in the adaptation of the book by Marcelo Rubens Paiva, the couple's son.

— I've lost count of the flying hours. It’s been a zigzag over the Atlantic. If everything goes wrong, I might consider a career as a flight attendant. I thought I'd spend December at home, but I'm back in Europe, with screenings in London, Paris, Madrid, and Porto. In January, I'll return to Los Angeles — Fernanda Torres writes in an email. — I take it one step at a time to keep from going crazy. But I'm happy because these things rarely happen in life. The important thing is to get the film seen.

Salles says "I'm still here" received invitations to more than 50 international festivals, requiring the team to stretch themselves. With the main cast fully booked in the U.S. and Europe, Luiza Kosovski, who plays young Eliana Paiva, represented the production at the Ping Yao International Film Festival in China.

Sean Penn, Fernanda Torres, and Selton Mello attend "Im Still Here" screening at CCA agency in Los Angeles — Foto: Reproduction/Instagram

'We have to be there'

Following the festival focus, the film turned its attention to special screenings worldwide, aimed at members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Golden Globes, and other award circuits.

Organized by the film's international distributors, these sessions often feature personalities mediating a discussion with the film's team. Actor Sean Penn led a conversation after a screening in Los Angeles, while French filmmaker Olivier Assayas presented the film in Paris. Tomorrow, Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón, a four-time Oscar winner with films like "Roma" (2018) and "Gravity" (2013), will talk with Salles and Torres after a screening in London.

— We must ensure Academy members see the film, and we need to be there — emphasizes producer Rodrigo Teixeira via email, an awards season veteran with acclaimed works like "Call Me by Your Name" (2017) and "The Lighthouse" (2019). — The campaign is organized by local distributors, with support from producers. Each market has its own particularities. It's been a beautiful collective effort to witness.

Classic Aero Theater in Santa Monica hosts screening of "I'm still herei" with Walter Salles, Fernanda Torres, and Selton Mello in attendance — Foto: Reproduction/Instagram

Teixeira explains that the team's efforts are focused on a nomination for Best International Feature, which the U.S. press sees as likely. According to the Hollywood Reporter, "Ainda Estou Aqui" is the third favorite for a nomination in the category, behind only the French "Emilia Pérez" and the German "The Seed of the Sacred Fig". The film's international distributor, Sony Classics, is also promoting it for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress categories.

Salles sees changes

This would be Salles' third time vying for an Oscar. In 1999, his "Central Station" competed for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actress, with Fernanda Montenegro. In 2004, he saw "The Motorcycle Diaries" win Best Original Song (the film was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay).

The 68-year-old director from Rio de Janeiro notes that, since then, "the Academy has become more diverse, but the vast majority of voters are still from the U.S. film industry." He also points out regional imbalances: South America as a whole has practically the same number of voters as France.

The major change for Salles, however, is the entry of streaming platforms into the equation.

— Streaming companies skew the playing field with their unlimited resources to promote their films. Many of these films barely make it to cinemas but use traditional independent cinema events to promote themselves. It's a strange contradiction: multinational streaming industries increasingly occupy film festivals to divert viewers from the collective cinema experience.

After watching from afar as her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, campaigned for an Oscar in 1999, Torres also notes the differences between then and now.

— The "Central Station" campaign was much more U.S.-focused. But the Academy has diversified its members, and today a foreign film, especially, must seek votes in Europe, Latin America, and Asia as much as in the U.S. Hence the zigzag across the Atlantic — says the 59-year-old actress, ten years younger than her mother was when she competed.

The Academy's effort to reach beyond Hollywood is making an impact on the awards. The first major milestone was in 2020 when South Korea's "Parasite," directed by Bong Joon-ho, became the first non-English-language film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. This year, it was less surprising to see foreign films like "The Zone of Interest," "Anatomy of a Fall," and "Past Lives" competing in major categories.

Fernanda Torres, Marcelo Rubens Paiva, Selton Mello and Walter Salles present "I'm still here" at New York Film Festival — Foto: Reproduction/Instagram

'A national passion'

While she enjoys the support of Brazilians hoping she'll "avenge her mother" and bring the Oscar to Brazil, Torres regards the possibility of a nomination for herself as very challenging.

— I find it beautiful when a film becomes a national passion. But I try to explain that it's very difficult for a Portuguese-language film to break the foreign film barrier, that this year's lineup is extraordinary, with incredible performances by outstanding actresses — she says. — I often say that Brazil is a continental island with 200 million Portuguese speakers. We aren't culturally colonized; we consume our culture and take pride in it. Occasionally, we succeed in producing a film, a book, or a song that crosses our borders, and we're very proud when that happens. "I'm still here" is a rare case of that.

The American press also sees a nomination for Torres as unlikely, although her name appears on lists of the year's best performances. In Variety's ranking, she is in seventh place, behind Angelina Jolie ("Maria Callas"), Cynthia Erivo ("Wicked"), Karla Sofía Gascón ("Emilia Pérez"), Marianne Jean-Baptiste ("Hard Truths"), Mikey Madison ("Anora"), and Nicole Kidman ("Babygirl"). The Hollywood Reporter also includes Demi Moore for "The Substance" ahead of the Brazilian actress.

Fernanda Montenegro was nominated for an Oscar in 1999 for her role in "Central Station" — Foto: Reproduction

Keep pushing

Despite not being a frontrunner for an Oscar nomination, the Brazilian actress has better chances of being nominated for a Golden Globe since the awards divide categories between drama and comedy/musical. This week, Variety projected a nomination for Torres alongside Jolie, Kidman, Jean-Baptiste, Tilda Swinton ("The Room Next Door"), and Saoirse Ronan ("The Outrun"). Golden Globe nominations will be announced tomorrow, with the ceremony set for January 5, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser.

So far, "I'm still here" boasts as its prize season highlight the best screenplay award in Venice and a mention as one of the year's five international highlights by the National Board of Review, an important Oscar indicator. However, the film was left out of the New York Film Critics Circle and Film Independent Spirit Awards lists.

— Ultimately, it's the film that guides us. It's important to remain true to the work we've done and invite people to come see it in different countries — states Salles.
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2024-12-08
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     Alongside Walter Salles and Selton Mello, Fernanda Torres travels the world to get the feature film noticed: 'A foreign film must seek votes in Europe, Latin America, and Asia as much as in the United States', she explains Venice, Toronto, New York, Hamptons, Los Angeles, London, San Sebastian, Biarritz, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Lyon, Paris, Ping Yao, Marrakech, Los Angeles again... Since its debut in September at the Venice Film Festival in Italy, where it won the best screenplay award, "I'm still here" has been filling up the passports of its crew.
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The film, which has drawn the largest Brazilian cinema audience since the pandemic with 2.3 million tickets sold, is actively campaigning for an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature Film. The awards will be held on March 2. It's an endeavor that demands dedication, particularly from director Walter Salles and lead actors Fernanda Torres and Selton Mello, who portray Eunice and Rubens Paiva in the adaptation of the book by Marcelo Rubens Paiva, the couple's son.
— I've lost count of the flying hours. It’s been a zigzag over the Atlantic. If everything goes wrong, I might consider a career as a flight attendant. I thought I'd spend December at home, but I'm back in Europe, with screenings in London, Paris, Madrid, and Porto. In January, I'll return to Los Angeles — Fernanda Torres writes in an email. — I take it one step at a time to keep from going crazy. But I'm happy because these things rarely happen in life. The important thing is to get the film seen.
Salles says "I'm still here" received invitations to more than 50 international festivals, requiring the team to stretch themselves. With the main cast fully booked in the U.S. and Europe, Luiza Kosovski, who plays young Eliana Paiva, represented the production at the Ping Yao International Film Festival in China.
Sean Penn, Fernanda Torres, and Selton Mello attend "Im Still Here" screening at CCA agency in Los Angeles
Reproduction/Instagram
'We have to be there'
Following the festival focus, the film turned its attention to special screenings worldwide, aimed at members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Golden Globes, and other award circuits.
Organized by the film's international distributors, these sessions often feature personalities mediating a discussion with the film's team. Actor Sean Penn led a conversation after a screening in Los Angeles, while French filmmaker Olivier Assayas presented the film in Paris. Tomorrow, Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón, a four-time Oscar winner with films like "Roma" (2018) and "Gravity" (2013), will talk with Salles and Torres after a screening in London.
— We must ensure Academy members see the film, and we need to be there — emphasizes producer Rodrigo Teixeira via email, an awards season veteran with acclaimed works like "Call Me by Your Name" (2017) and "The Lighthouse" (2019). — The campaign is organized by local distributors, with support from producers. Each market has its own particularities. It's been a beautiful collective effort to witness.
Classic Aero Theater in Santa Monica hosts screening of "I'm still herei" with Walter Salles, Fernanda Torres, and Selton Mello in attendance
Reproduction/Instagram
Teixeira explains that the team's efforts are focused on a nomination for Best International Feature, which the U.S. press sees as likely. According to the Hollywood Reporter, "Ainda Estou Aqui" is the third favorite for a nomination in the category, behind only the French "Emilia Pérez" and the German "The Seed of the Sacred Fig". The film's international distributor, Sony Classics, is also promoting it for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress categories.
Salles sees changes
This would be Salles' third time vying for an Oscar. In 1999, his "Central Station" competed for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actress, with Fernanda Montenegro. In 2004, he saw "The Motorcycle Diaries" win Best Original Song (the film was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay).
The 68-year-old director from Rio de Janeiro notes that, since then, "the Academy has become more diverse, but the vast majority of voters are still from the U.S. film industry." He also points out regional imbalances: South America as a whole has practically the same number of voters as France.
The major change for Salles, however, is the entry of streaming platforms into the equation.
— Streaming companies skew the playing field with their unlimited resources to promote their films. Many of these films barely make it to cinemas but use traditional independent cinema events to promote themselves. It's a strange contradiction: multinational streaming industries increasingly occupy film festivals to divert viewers from the collective cinema experience.
After watching from afar as her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, campaigned for an Oscar in 1999, Torres also notes the differences between then and now.
— The "Central Station" campaign was much more U.S.-focused. But the Academy has diversified its members, and today a foreign film, especially, must seek votes in Europe, Latin America, and Asia as much as in the U.S. Hence the zigzag across the Atlantic — says the 59-year-old actress, ten years younger than her mother was when she competed.
The Academy's effort to reach beyond Hollywood is making an impact on the awards. The first major milestone was in 2020 when South Korea's "Parasite," directed by Bong Joon-ho, became the first non-English-language film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. This year, it was less surprising to see foreign films like "The Zone of Interest," "Anatomy of a Fall," and "Past Lives" competing in major categories.
Fernanda Torres, Marcelo Rubens Paiva, Selton Mello and Walter Salles present "I'm still here" at New York Film Festival
Reproduction/Instagram
'A national passion'
While she enjoys the support of Brazilians hoping she'll "avenge her mother" and bring the Oscar to Brazil, Torres regards the possibility of a nomination for herself as very challenging.
— I find it beautiful when a film becomes a national passion. But I try to explain that it's very difficult for a Portuguese-language film to break the foreign film barrier, that this year's lineup is extraordinary, with incredible performances by outstanding actresses — she says. — I often say that Brazil is a continental island with 200 million Portuguese speakers. We aren't culturally colonized; we consume our culture and take pride in it. Occasionally, we succeed in producing a film, a book, or a song that crosses our borders, and we're very proud when that happens. "I'm still here" is a rare case of that.
The American press also sees a nomination for Torres as unlikely, although her name appears on lists of the year's best performances. In Variety's ranking, she is in seventh place, behind Angelina Jolie ("Maria Callas"), Cynthia Erivo ("Wicked"), Karla Sofía Gascón ("Emilia Pérez"), Marianne Jean-Baptiste ("Hard Truths"), Mikey Madison ("Anora"), and Nicole Kidman ("Babygirl"). The Hollywood Reporter also includes Demi Moore for "The Substance" ahead of the Brazilian actress.
Fernanda Montenegro was nominated for an Oscar in 1999 for her role in "Central Station"
Reproduction
Keep pushing
Despite not being a frontrunner for an Oscar nomination, the Brazilian actress has better chances of being nominated for a Golden Globe since the awards divide categories between drama and comedy/musical. This week, Variety projected a nomination for Torres alongside Jolie, Kidman, Jean-Baptiste, Tilda Swinton ("The Room Next Door"), and Saoirse Ronan ("The Outrun"). Golden Globe nominations will be announced tomorrow, with the ceremony set for January 5, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser.
So far, "I'm still here" boasts as its prize season highlight the best screenplay award in Venice and a mention as one of the year's five international highlights by the National Board of Review, an important Oscar indicator. However, the film was left out of the New York Film Critics Circle and Film Independent Spirit Awards lists.
— Ultimately, it's the film that guides us. It's important to remain true to the work we've done and invite people to come see it in different countries — states Salles.
The translation of this text into english was carried out by Project Irineu, O GLOBO's initiative to develop artificial intelligence tools. Here is the link to the original report.
More than 50 festivals, screenings with Hollywood stars, and a hands-on approach: understand the 'I'm still here' Oscar campaign