The short film “Encoberto”, by Portuguese director Rodrigo Rebello de Andrade, is a semifinalist for the student awards of the United States Film Academy, which awards the Oscars, the organization announced.
The academy unveiled on Wednesday the list of films nominated for the awards and among them is “Encoberto”, by Rodrigo Rebello de Andrade, a final degree work, produced at the Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema and selected in the Narrative category.
The United States Film Academy Student Awards is an international competition that has existed since 1972, aimed at filmmakers who submit films made in a school setting, and is awarded in four categories: Animation, Documentary, Narrative and Experimental.
“Encoberto” is the second short film directed by Rodrigo Rebello de Andrade, after “Primeiro Passo” (2021) and is starring Rafael Morais and Pedro Lacerda.
“Vargas, an undercover agent, is tasked with taking down a group of robbers. After talking to Ricardo, a member of the gang, he begins to question the enemy’s vision, making the mission much more difficult”, says the synopsis.
The film has a script by Pedro Alegria and production by Sofia Correia, with a team that included about 30 students from that higher school.
“Encoberto” has already been distinguished this year by the Portuguese Film Academy with the Sophia Student for best short fiction film and was part of the Curtas de Vila do Conde program.
According to the American academy, the finalists for the awards will be known in August and the winners will be announced in October, who will be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals and monetary prizes ranging from 5,000 to 2,000 dollars (between 4,485 euros and 1,794 euros).
The academy recalls that, in previous editions, these awards have already distinguished students who, years later, won 12 Oscars, namely the Americans Pete Docter and Spike Lee.