Oscar-winning Brazilian film 'I'm Still Here' makes UAE debut
A cinematic milestone unfolded in the UAE this weekend as Ainda Estou Aqui (I'm Still Here), Brazil's first-ever Oscar-winning film, premiered at Dubai's Cinema Akil — becoming the first Brazilian feature to screen in the country. The exclusive event marked a major cultural crossover and was led by actress Sabrina Petraglia, a Dubai resident who has made it her mission to bring Brazilian cinema to the Middle East.
The screening of Ainda Estou Aqui, which won Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Academy Awards, drew a full house of over 130 attendees. The audience included UAE and Brazilian dignitaries, diplomats, filmmakers, artists, and prominent members of the expat Brazilian community — all gathered to witness history at Alserkal Avenue's indie cinema.
Grammy Award-winning actress Fernanda Torres, who starred in the film and made headlines this year as the first Brazilian to win a Golden Globe, addressed the Dubai audience in a heartfelt video message before the screening.
'I'm Still Here is the first Brazilian movie to be released in the Emirates, which makes us really proud,' Torres said. 'It's a very special film, directed by the wonderful Walter Salles.'
The premiere wasn't just about watching a film — it was a celebration of storytelling across borders. The evening was the culmination of a months-long initiative spearheaded by Sabrina Petraglia, known for her work in Brazilian TV and film. Since relocating to Dubai in 2023, Petraglia has been building cultural bridges between Brazil and the UAE — a vision she brought to life again with this landmark screening.
'This moment is the culmination of five months of work behind the scenes,' Petraglia told the audience in an emotional speech before the film began. 'It gives me so much joy to see the Brazilian community come together alongside our Emirati friends to share this moment and prove the universal power of storytelling.'
Petraglia previously screened her own short film, Mar de Mães (Ocean of Mothers), in the UAE earlier this year. It was during that experience she discovered that no Brazilian films had been officially shown in the Emirates before.
'When I learnt Ocean de Mães was the first to even be shown here, I couldn't believe it,' she said. 'UAE is a country that values and supports the arts, so I asked myself, 'Where are the Brazilian movies?' That's when I started connecting with people — with Sony, with Empire, and friends who acted in the movie.'
The event also served as a cultural diplomacy milestone, with a post-screening reception attended by officials from the Embassy of Brazil in the UAE, Visit Dubai, members of the Al Serkal family, and other partners. Ambassador Sidney Leon Romeiro praised Petraglia for her dedication in championing Brazil's creative voice in the region.
'Sabrina is one of the key promoters of Brazil's cultural scene here,' he said. 'Each step of this project, she has been calling me, updating me… I always feel her enthusiasm and am deeply grateful for her help in this effort to strengthen Brazil's cultural agenda in the UAE.'
Made possible with the support of Ambipar, a Brazilian company known for its commitment to sustainability and the arts, the screening is expected to be a springboard for greater cultural and cinematic collaborations between Latin America and the Arab world.
Ainda Estou Aqui will continue screening at Cinema Akil throughout June, inviting UAE residents of all backgrounds to experience the power, emotion, and resonance of Brazilian storytelling — a first, but certainly not the last.
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