Sara Eustáquio, born in September 1999, is a Portuguese young filmmaker who currently lives in Los Angeles. She is a BFA student majoring Film and Video at CalArts (California Institute of The Arts).
Passionate about photography and movies since the childhood, she shot at 14, in Portugal, her first short film, "Elizabeth" (about teenage bullying), with a small digital camera. The project began as a simple artistic presentation for an English class in high school. The enthusiasm with which it was received led her to upload it on YouTube. Surprisingly, the homemade video reached over 10,000 views in the first days (http://youtu.be/qjYyB8MQZQU).
After that, she started becoming involved in some local school and youth associations' video productions.
In May 2016, at 16, Sara released "4242", her first short fiction narrative film, also produced in Portugal (). "4242" got 54 awards, 34 nominations and was officially selected for 179 international film festivals in 40 countries (http://youtu.be/oemLpOFHnnE).
In August 2016, she successfully completed an intensive summer program in filmmaking at New York Film Academy, in New York City, where she made her second narrative fiction, the micro-short mystery film "Mirror" (). "Mirror" got 82 awards, 31 nominations and was officially selected for 197 international film festivals in 32 countries (http://youtu.be/BV8VQ94ecsg).
In October 2016, Sara wrote a short script entitled "Neverland". The screenplay got 3 awards, 2 nominations and was officially selected for 9 international film festivals in 5 countries.
In November 2016, Sara was awarded a medal of merit by the mayor of her hometown, Torres Vedras, for her remarkable personal achievements in filmmaking. In January 2017, Sara was awarded another prize of merit by the board of her high school, Escola Secundaria Henriques Nogueira, for her remarkable personal achievements in filmmaking and inspirational path for Portuguese students.
In April 2017, she was awarded a scholarship by the Walt and Lilly Disney Foundation for her college studies.
In November 2017, Sara was awarded a diploma of recognition by the City of Los Angeles for her "dedication to improving the local and global community through youth media arts".
In December 2017, Sara completed a new microfilm, "Creation", her first experimental work directed in California as a student project in CalArts (). "Creation" got 6 awards, 3 nominations and was officially selected for 16 international film festivals in 7 countries.
"4242" Appraisals
“A very powerful and well-made film”
Santa Monica International Teen Film Festival
“It was a unique, wonderful experience to watch ‘4242’”
Nami Melumad, Top Shorts Film Festival
“Sara Eustaquio’s unique directing and editing styles makes ‘4242’ more than just a good experimental”
Roy Zafrani, Festigious International Film Festival
“One incredibly intense movie, overflowing with emotion and dramatic images”
Brian Lutes, Creation International Film Festival
“It is hard not to be impressed by what this 16-year-old director achieved through this film”
Bucharest ShortCut CineFest
“A remarkable short film”
The Worthwhile Journal
“A short film with powerful experimental influences”
TMFF
"Mirror" Appraisals
“A wonderful piece of filmmaking”
Bucharest ShortCut CineFest
“An absolute mind-trip”
Horror Films in Hotlanta
“Deeply impressive what a 17-year-old teenager can do with a movie camera”
Best Film Awards
“'Mirror' is the work of a pro”
Utah Film Awards
“A surprisingly bold and sophisticated short film”
Ouchy Film Awards
“Impressive filmmaking skills from editing, make up right through to direction”
Largo Film Awards
"Sara Eustáquio astutely displays her talent as a filmmaker"
Filmstrip International Film Festival
“An excellent well-executed film with a simple premise”
Elevation Indie Film Awards
Creation
(
Film
by Sara Eustaquio (Drama and Short)
Director/Editor/Cinematographer/Writer It is strange how we're so hung up on our past. But now it's time to move on. I can't have you back, and you can't have me back. It is time to leave Neverland and start living in the grown-up world.
4242
(
Film (short)
by Sara Eustaquio (Drama)
Director/Editor/Cinematographer/Co-Writer Based on true events, "4242" is the story of a young female immigrant, a story of a teenager's anguish who is trying to redefine her identity after being forced to leave home.
Cristi has just moved to an unknown country, far away from family and friends. At first, she is happy for the challenge. But soon she begins to question her place in this new world that seems to be a lost town, made of absences, distances, silence, and indifference.
Mirror
(
Film (short)
by Sara Eustaquio (Drama, Horror, Mystery and Thriller)
Director/Editor/Cinematographer/Writer She is young. She is in trouble. She is staring at the mirror looking for answers.
But what she is about to find can change her life.
Neverland
Film (short)
by Sara Eustaquio (Drama and Short)
Director/Editor/Cinematographer/Writer (pre-production)
Do you like yourself? Can you feel something? A group of teenagers spends a night out together challenging emotions and feelings in a place called Neverland. A place they will find that it is not only physical.
Best Microfilm, Los Angeles Film Awards (USA), Creation
(2018)
Best Young Filmmaker (Honorable Mention), Global Film Festival Awards (USA), Creation
(2018)
Nomination for Best Student Short, Global Film Festival Awards (USA), Creation
(2018)
Best Experimental (Platinum Award), LA Shorts Awards (USA), Creation
(2018)
Nomination for Best Student Film, Top Indie Film Awards (Canada), Creation
(2018)
Best Student Film, Lake View International Film Festival (India), Creation
(2018)
Best Short Film (Bronze Award), Mindfield Film Festival Albuquerque (USA), Creation
(2018)
Best Audience Award of the Month, Direct Short Online Film Festival (USA), Creation
(2018)
Nomination for Best Narrative Short Film, Barcelona Planet Film Festival (Spain), Creation
(2018)
Silver Award (Student Film Competition), California Film Awards (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Honorable Mention, One-Reeler Short Film Competition (USA) 4242
(2017)
Honorable Mention, One-Reeler Short Film Competition (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Best Mystery Film, Festigious International Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Honorable Mention (Thriller/Horror), Filmmatic International Short Film Awards (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Experimental Film, Scout Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Female Filmmaker, Scout Film Festival (USA) 4242
(2017)
Award of Merit (Student Film), Depth Of Field International Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Special Mention (Student Short Film) and Best Young Actress (Short Film), FCIFF (Venezuela) Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Student Short, FROSTBITE International Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Foreign Film, Prince of Prestige Academy Award competition (USA) 4242
(2017)
NYC Indie Jury Award for Best Director, NYC Indie Film Awards (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Best Director, NYC Indie Film Awards (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Horror Film, NCCC Film & Animation Festival (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Award of Merit (Favorite Student Film), Bloody Horror International Film Festiva (Canada) Mirror
(2017)
Nomination or Best Director, Independent Horror Movies Awards (Canada) Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Trailer, Yes! Let's Make a Movie Film Festival (Canada) Mirror
(2017)
Honorable Mention (Experimental), Top Shorts Film Festival (USA) 4242
(2017)
Audience Choice Award (Experimental), Top Shorts Film Festival (USA) 4242
(2017)
Audience Choice Award (Indie Film), Top Shorts Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Nominations for Best Director and Best Student Film, Top Indie Film Awards (Canada) Mirror
(2017)
Nominations for Best Director, Best Student Film and Best Writing, Top Indie Film Awards (CAN) 4242
(2017)
Best Sound / Music, Largo Film Awards (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Best Female Filmmaker of the Month, Direct Short Online Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Best Audience Choice Award of the Month, Direct Short Online Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Best Student Film, Direct Monthly Online Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Best Audience Choice Award, Direct Monthly Online Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Honorable Mention (Documentary), Santa Monica International Teen Film Festival (USA) 4242
(2017)
Best Short Film (Gold Award) and Best Director (Award of Merit) (LA Short Awards) Mirror
(2017)
Best Student Short (Gold Award) and Best Director (Gold Award), Mindfield Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Best Screenplay, The Buddha International Film Festival (India) Neverland
(2017)
Silver Award (Horror Short), Spotlight Horror Film Awards (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Best Young Director and Best Young Actress (short film), FCIFF (Venezuela), 4242
(2017)
Best Drama Short Student, London Independent Film Awards (UK), 4242
(2017)
Best Experimental and Best Actress, Gold Movie Awards Goddess Nike (UK) Mirror
(2017)
Best Student Director, NYC Indie Film Awards (USA), 4242
(2017)
Diamond Award: Best Student Film, NYC Indie Film Awards (USA), 4242
(2017)
Nominations for Best Actress and Single Scariest Moment Award, Horror Films in Hotlanta (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Best Director and Best Student Film (Platinum Awards), LA Shorts Awards (USA), 4242
(2017)
Spotlight Award: Short, Elevation Indie Film Awards (Ireland), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Young Filmmakers Award, High Peak Independent Film Festival (UK), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Experimental Film, Short to the Point International Film Festival (Romania) 4242
(2017)
Best Short Film, SmartFest (Portugal), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best International Short, Millennial Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2017)
Best Student Film (Diamond Award) and Best Student Director, Hollywood Film Competition (USA) Mirror
(2017)
Best Actress (Diamond Award), Hollywood Film Competition (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Short Film (Gold Award), Los Angeles Horror Competition (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Director (Gold Award), Los Angeles Horror Competition (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Actress (Silver Award), Los Angeles Horror Competition (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Short Film (Platinum Award), Hollywood Film Competition (USA), 4242
(2017)
Best Director (Silver Award), Hollywood Film Competition (USA), 4242
(2017)
Award of Merit (Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger), Impact Docs Awards (USA), 4242
(2017)
Award of Recognition (Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising), Impact Docs Awards (USA), 4242
(2017)
Nomination for Best Student Film, Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (Canada), 4242
(2017)
Nomination for Best Director, Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (Canada), 4242
(2017)
Nomination for Best Student Film, Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (Canada), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Actress, Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (Canada), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Photography, Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (Canada), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Cinematography, Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (Canada), Mirror
(2017)
Best Young Filmmaker and Best Young Actress, New York Film Awards (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Film of The Month, AAB International Film Festival (India), Mirror
(2017)
Best Student Film of The Month, Direct Monthly Online Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2017)
Best Female Filmmaker of the Month, Direct Short Online Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2017)
Best Audience Choice Award of the Month, Direct Short Online Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2017)
Best Short Film (Gold Award), Mindfield Film Festival - Los Angeles (USA), 4242
(2017)
Best Director (Platinum Award), Mindfield Film Festival - Los Angeles (USA), 4242
(2017)
Best Editing (Diamond Award), Mindfield Film Festival - Los Angeles (USA), 4242
(2017)
Nomination for Best Student Film, Short to the Point International Film Festival (Romania), Mirror
(2017)
Best First Time Director, New York Film Awards (USA), 4242
(2017)
Best Student Film and Best Screenwriter (Lake View International Film Festival (India), 4242
(2017)
Best Woman Director, European Cinematography Awards (Poland), 4242
(2017)
Nomination for Best Editing of the Year, Shortcutz Viseu (Portugal), Mirror
(2017)
Best Student Film, Eurasia International Monthly Film Festival (Russia), 4242
(2017)
Rising Star (Gold Award), International Film Competition Festival (Indonesia), Mirror
(2017)
Newcomer Filmmaker of the Year (Silver), International Film Competition Festival (Indonesia), Mirror
(2017)
2nd Best Film of The Month, AAB International Film Festival (India), 4242
(2017)
Nomination for Best Documentary Short Film - International, Hollywood Verge Film Awards (USA), 4242
(2017)
Nominations for Best Film and Best Actress, Sunlight International Film Festival (Germany), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Screenplay (Youth 18), Newark International Film Festival (USA), Neverland
(2017)
Best Picture (Student Film), Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Actress, Asheville Film Festival (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Jury Award of the Year, AAB International Film Festival (India), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Female Filmmaker Showcase Award, Shortcut 100 Film Festival (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Teenage Filmmaker Foreign Film, Roselle Park Shorts! Film Festival (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Student Film, Lake View International Film Festival (India), Mirror
(2017)
Award of Recognition (Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger), Best Shorts Competition (USA), Neverland
(2017)
Directing and Student Film (Silver Awards), International Independent Film Awards (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Short Film (Bronze Award), Mindfield Film Festival - Albuquerque (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Editing (Gold Award), Mindfield Film Festival - Albuquerque (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Cinematography (Bronze Award), Mindfield Film Festival - Albuquerque (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Actress (Bronze Award), European Independent Film Award (Australia), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Young Adult Film, Ocktober Film Festival (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best World Cinema (Student Shorts), Delhi International Film Festival (India), 4242
(2017)
Best Director Student Film, Hollywood Now Film Festival (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Award Of Recognition (Student Filmmakers), Hollywood Now Film Festival (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for 2017 Student Vision Award, EyeCatcher Film Festival (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best World Cinema (Student Shorts), Delhi International Film Festival (India), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Screenplay, Philadelphia Youth Film Festival (USA), Neverland
(2017)
Nomination for Best Student Film, US Hollywood International Golden Film Awards (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Student Film, US Hollywood International Golden Film Awards (USA), 4242
(2017)
Nomination for Outstanding Cinematography, US Hollywood International Golden Film Awards (USA), 4242
(2017)
Finalist, Manhattan International Film Festival, World Youth Alliance (USA), 4242
(2017)
Best Student Short, American Filmatic Arts Awards (USA), 4242
(2017)
Young Filmmaker Best Cinematography, Outlaw International Film Festival (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Screenplay Writing (2nd Place), Philadelphia Youth Film Festival (USA), Neverland
(2017)
Best One Actress Horror Film, Avalonia Festival (USA), Mirror
(2017)
Best Editing (High School category), FECEA (Brazil), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Actress and Best Production (High School category), FECEA (Brazil), 4242
(2017)
Nomination for Best Director, Bloodstained Indie Film Festival (China), 4242
(2017)
GFA Outstanding Editing, US Hollywood International Golden Film Awards (USA), 4242
(2017)
Audience Award - Experimental, FICSAM - International Mental Health Film Festival (Portugal), Mirror
(2017)
Best Student Film, Filmstrip International Film Festival (Romania), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Director, Best Independents International Film Festival (Romania), Mirror
(2017)
Nomination for Best Actress, Best Independents International Film Festival (Romania), Mirror
(2017)
Award of Merit Special Mention (Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger), BestShorts Competition(USA), 4242
(2016)
Junior Winner Award, Near Nazareth Festival (Israel), 4242
(2016)
Nomination for Best Student, Los Angeles Cinefest (USA), 4242
(2016)
Nomination for Best Narrative, Barcelona Planet Film Festival (Spain), 4242
(2016)
Nomination for Best Portuguese Cinema Now, Lisbon International Film Festival (Portugal), 4242
(2016)
Award of Merit (Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger), IndieFest Film Awards (USA), 4242
(2016)
Nomination for Best Short, Frame by Sound Festival (Dominican Republic), 4242
(2016)
Nomination for Best Student Short, Gullah Geechee Heritage Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2016)
Nomination for Best Short, Women’s Only Entertainment Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2016)
Awards of Best Student Film and Best Foreign Film, Christian Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2016)
Nomination for Best Short (Fiction), FARCUME - Festival de Curtas-Metragens de Faro (Portugal), 4242
(2016)
Award of of Best Cinema of Europe, Canadian Diversity Film Festival (Canada), 4242
(2016)
Award of Best Student Film, Creation International Film Festival (Canada), 4242
(2016)
Award of Best Filmmaker Under 18, Chandler International Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2016)
Award of Best Filmmaker Under 18, Hollywood Boulevard Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2016)
Award of Best Filmmaker Under 18, Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards (USA), 4242
(2016)
Nomination for Best Experimental Short Film, Stonefair International Film Festival (Romania), 4242
(2016)
Award of Best Youth Film, Chicano International Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2016)
Award of Best Filmmaker Under 18, Barnes Film Festival (UK), 4242
(2016)
Nomination for Best Short (Drama/Action), Filmmatic - Filmmaker Awards (USA), 4242
(2016)
Silver Award (Student Film), Fameus International Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2016)
Award of Merit Special Mention (Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger), Accolade Competition (USA), 4242
(2016)
Award of Merit (Film Short), Accolade Competition (USA), Mirror
(2016)
Award of Merit (Tight Shorts), WRPN.TV Short, Tight and Loose Global Film Festival (USA), 4242
(2016)
Award of Merit (Film Short), BestShorts Competition (USA), Mirror
(2016)
Nomination for Best Young Filmmaker, TMC London Film Festival (UK), 4242
(2016)
Jury Award (Best Short Film), Mediterranean Film Festival (Italy), Mirror
(2016)
Young Filmmaker Award (Short Film), Los Angeles Film Awards competition (USA), 4242
(2016)
Award for Best Woman Filmmaker, Barcelona Planet Film Festival (Spain), Mirror
(2016)
Nomination for Best Best Narrative Short Film, Barcelona Planet Film Festival (Spain), Mirror
(2016)
Jury Special Mention (Medium Length Film), Arte Non Stop Festival (Argentina), 4242
(2016)
Award of Merit (Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger), IndieFest Film Awards (USA), Mirror
(2016)
Award of Best Cinematography, Seoul ICARUS Drone International Film Festival (South Korea) Mirror
(2016)
Award of Best Woman Filmmaker, Chandler International Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2016)
Award of Best Young Filmmaker Under 18, Chandler International Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2016)
Award of Best Young Filmmaker Under 18, Hollywood Boulevard Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2016)
Nomination for Best Youth Short Film, ITSA Film Festival (USA) 4242
(2016)
Jury Award/Special Mention, Global Shorts Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2016)
Award of Recognition for Best Action/Thriller Short Student, HIMPFF (USA) Mirror
(2016)
Nomination for Best Student Short, Eerie Horror Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2016)
Finalist (Best Short Film), Cinema Los Angeles (USA) 4242
(2016)
Finalist (Best Short Film), New York City Film Festival (USA) 4242
(2016)
Finalist (Best Short Film), Eurocinema Film Festival (Switzerland) 4242
(2016)
Finalist (Best Short Film), Palermo Film Festival (Italy) 4242
(2016)
Jury Award (Short Film), Malta Film Festival (Malta) 4242
(2016)
Award of Best Young Filmmaker, Festigious International Film Festival (USA) 4242
(2016)
Award of Best Film, Outlaw International Film Festival (USA) 4242
(2016)
Award of Best Cinematography, Outlaw International Film Festival (USA) 4242
(2016)
Kudos Endeavor Award (Best Inspirational Short), Depth of Field Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2016)
Award of Best New Filmmaker, Canadian Diversity Film Festival (Canada) Mirror
(2016)
Outstanding Achievement Award, Berlin Flash Film Festival (Germany) Mirror
(2016)
Award of Best Filmmaker Under 18, Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards (USA) Mirror
(2016)
Bronze Award (Student Film), Fameus International Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2016)
Best Mystery Film, Los Angeles Film Awards, December 2016 (USA) Mirror
(2016)
Award of Recognition, Wellington Student Film Festival (USA) Mirror
(2016)
Nomination for Best Screenplay, IndustryBOOST Competition (USA) Neverland
(2016)
California Institute of the Arts
(2017-2021)