Celebrated Production Company MADRE Welcomes Brazilian Director Lu Villaca

Mar. 03, 2025

Celebrated production company MADRE welcomes Brazilian director Lu Villaça to its roster of incredible talent. With degrees in cinema and performance and a master's in screenwriting, Villaça’s multifaceted approach to filmmaking artfully incorporates nuanced human behavior with poetically composed frames.

Villaça’s tastes have been shaped by her childhood training in ballet, studying Greek theatre texts, her passion for music, and her contemplative nature. She honed her cinematic skills early on as an AD and creative assistant before becoming a director. Intent on capturing the drama of everyday life as it plays out, Villaça is tuned in to how the bodies in her frame move through their environments and what elements of the story can be extrapolated from these compositions. Her sharp attention to detail in every aspect, from lighting to the final edit, is all designed to build a swell of emotions within her audience.

Known for directing visceral and compelling films, Villaça has been awarded three Cannes Lions for her film “Next Minute Law,” which promoted awareness of a law in Brazil designed to address the rampant epidemic of sexual violence. “Next Minute Law” also garnered Best Direction at El Ojo and the Ciclope Latino Festival, where Villaça also won Best New Talent. Additionally, she has directed many commercial campaigns for brands like Johnnie Walker, Huggies Wipes, Nestlé, Amazon, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, and a spot for Medley featuring renowned Brazilian Olympic gymnast Rebeca Andrade. Recognized in Brazil as a top music video director, she won Best Female Direction for her work on “Nu” by Assucena and “Lovezinho” by Rachel Reis, which also won Best National Music Video at the MVF Awards. A filmmaker of many talents, Villaça also co-directed the documentary “Pagliacci,” an homage to circus artist Domingos Montagner and the human need for laughter.

Villaca remarked:

“Beautifully executed work done alongside good people is my ultimate goal. That’s what made MADRE the perfect fit for me. Their quality of work, dedication to their productions, and remarkable attention to detail, craft, and creativity in MADRE’s films immediately compelled me to sign with them. I admire my roster-mates and am fortunate to call them my colleagues now. They are all a great reflection of what can happen when artists are supported by producers who believe in them.”

 

MADRE Co-Founder and Managing Director Jonathon Ker added:

“Lu’s films are so rich—visually, narratively, and compositionally speaking. Whether she executes this through abstract emotions or interesting camera work, there’s always a deeper meaning and purpose underneath her work. Lu genuinely wants to bring light to neglected subjects and provide a point of connection for audiences, which is remarkable. We’re lucky to have her with us at MADRE, and we can’t wait to get started.”