In Focus
ava ferrera — 'storytelling is making the abstract visual and mystifying the mundane.'
Indie Cinema
WHO IS
Ava Ferrera?
Ava Ferrera is an award-winning film director and writer in Madeira Island, Portugal— known for her rich, poetic, and emotionally charged style. Her work fuses the elegance of European cinema with the intensity of psychological storytelling. She’s already won international awards with her short documentary Echoes of the Past, and now she’s moving into narrative films like The Last Sacrament and Moth. People often describe her films as evocative, experimental, unorthodox storytelling and stylized — she favours narrative structures that are not linear or conventional — the kind of work that builds a devoted following. Ava Ferrera's film style is unique and all her screenplays are original works.
"Echoes of the Past:
A Ava Ferrera FILM
Echoes of the Past is a powerful and intense journey into nature, tradition and human bonds."
"Echoes of the Past:
A Gripping Documentary by Ava Ferrera
Immerse yourself in the world of Echoes of the Past, a documentary short film that delves into the human experience through the eyes of Ava Ferrera. This powerful film showcases the art of filmmaking and the impact of storytelling on our lives."
Award-Winning Director Produces New Short Films in Madeira
Ava Ferrera, a director recognized for her striking visual style and bold storytelling, is officially in production on two new short films: The Last Sacrament and Moth, both written and directed by Ferrera and being shot in natural locations in Madeira.
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The director has been gaining increasing attention on the international stage, with her latest documentary filmed in Madeira, Echoes of the Past, having won awards at several independent film festivals.
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To date, it has won Best Short Documentary at the Paris Film Awards; Best Short Documentary at the Florence Film Awards; Gold Award for Best Documentary at the Hollywood Gold Awards; Semifinalist for Best Short Documentary at the Sweden Film Awards; Finalist for Best Short Documentary at the East Village New York Film Festival; Nominated for Best Short Documentary at the Rome Prisma Film Awards; Official Selection at the RED Movie Awards, and continues to compete for new nominations at events in Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Australia, and Africa, which will be announced soon. The work has been praised for its sensitive, poetic, and intimate approach, reflecting Ferrera’s dedication to deeply human and emotionally resonant cinema.
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The Last Sacrament
A psychological horror‑thriller, The Last Sacrament is an unsettling, atmospheric work exploring themes of ritual, repression, and desire. Filmed within Madeira’s evocative environments, the film delves deeply into the psychological collapse of its central character. It stars Adriano Martins, known for his role in the film Crendices.
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Moth
In contrast, Moth is a noir drama with a lyrical and sensual tone, reflecting on transformation and the mystique of the feminine. With a rich, poetic visual language, the story unfolds like a hypnotic meditation on identity and metamorphosis. It stars promising Portuguese actress Carolina Andrade, whose compelling presence adds depth to the enigmatic narrative.
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Ava Ferrera’s decision to film both projects in Madeira reflects her commitment to aesthetic and narrative authenticity. She explains: “Madeira has a raw and timeless beauty that perfectly mirrors the emotional and psychological states of these stories.”
With a career defined by films that challenge genre and conventional storytelling, Ava Ferrera continues to establish herself as one of the original voices of contemporary independent cinema. The Last Sacrament and Moth are expected to premiere on the international festival circuit in 2026.
Source: Jornal da Madeira - Portugal
Madeira Becomes Setting for Two Short Films: 'The Last Sacrament' and 'Moth' Directed by Ava Ferrera
The "acclaimed director Ava Ferrera, recognized for her striking visual style and bold storytelling," has just announced that "she is officially in production on two new and highly anticipated short films," the movies The Last Sacrament and Moth. "Both films, written and directed by Ferrera, are being shot in natural settings on the stunning island of Madeira," she emphasizes.
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The press release states that director Ava Ferrera "has been gaining increasing attention on the international stage" and "her latest documentary filmed in Madeira, Echoes of the Past, has already won awards at several independent film festivals," namely, and so far, "Winner of Best Short Documentary at the Paris Film Awards; Best Short Documentary at the Florence Film Awards; Gold Award for Best Documentary at the Hollywood Gold Awards; Semifinalist for Best Short Documentary at the Sweden Film Awards; Finalist for Best Short Documentary at the East Village New York Film Festival; Nominated for Best Short Documentary at the Rome Prisma Film Awards; Official Selection at the RED Movie Awards."
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This particular production by the director, who has made Madeira her favorite filming location, "continues to compete for new nominations at events in Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Australia, and Africa, which will be announced soon. The work has been highlighted for its sensitive, poetic, and intimate approach, reflecting Ferrera’s dedication to cinema that is deeply human and emotionally resonant," the release notes.
These new productions continue Ferrera’s preference for Madeira as a cinematic setting. She explains: “Madeira has a raw and timeless beauty that perfectly mirrors the emotional and psychological states of these stories.”
The Last Sacrament is a psychological thriller of horror — an atmospheric exploration of ritual, repression, and desire. Set against Madeira’s dramatic landscapes, the film examines the psychological collapse of its central character and stars Adriano Martins, known for his role in the film Crendices.
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​​Adriano Martins in the film "Crendices"
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In contrast, Moth is a noir drama with a lyrical and sensual tone, exploring transformation and the mystique of the feminine. With a poetic visual language, the story unfolds as a meditation on identity and metamorphosis, led by Portuguese actress Carolina Andrade, whose compelling presence brings depth to the enigmatic narrative.
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Carolina Andrade, the rising star of "Moth" written & directed by Ava Ferrera
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Both projects are scheduled to premiere on the international festival circuit in 2026, further establishing Ava Ferrera as a bold and original voice in contemporary independent cinema.
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Source: Diario de Noticias - Portugal
Ava Ferrera Presents 'Echoes of the Past' with Exclusive Preview at Forum Machico
On 9 August 2025 — Independent filmmaker Ava Ferrera will host a special evening of cinema, culture and gastronomy at the Fórum Machico on 16 August.
The event will feature a screening of her award-winning short documentary Echoes of the Past — shown in English with Portuguese subtitles — followed by an exclusive preview of a chapter from her upcoming feature‑length documentary The Art of Fermentation: From Orchard to Table, screened in Portuguese with English subtitles.
Echoes of the Past has already won Best Short Documentary at both the Florence Film Awards (Italy) and the Paris Film Awards (France), and received the Gold Award at the Hollywood Gold Awards (USA). It has also been selected officially at the RED Movie Awards (France). The film’s international festival journey continues this year with confirmed selections in Japan and South Korea, further boosting Ferrera’s global reputation as a cinematic storyteller.
Guests will enjoy a tasting of regional craft cider, canapés by Chef Duarte Oliveira, and live music from Amaro. An exhibition on the Festival of Torches of Machico will showcase the island’s rich cultural heritage. The evening will conclude with a welcome reception hosted by Ava Ferrera and cider‑maker Luís Mendonça of The Drunken Pharmacist.
With all seats already reserved, the event is sold out — a reflection not only of the strong connection between Ferrera’s work and the Madeiran community, but also of the growing international recognition of her filmmaking.
Source: Jornal da Madeira - Portugal
Ava Ferrera's Film Screening at Forum Machico Sold-Out
On 9 August 2025, a screening of Ava Ferrera’s film at the Fórum Machico achieved a full house, highlighting the growing interest in the Portuguese director’s work.
The event featured her acclaimed short documentary Echoes of the Past, filmed on the island of Madeira. The documentary, written and directed by Ava Ferrera, explores themes of memory, identity, tradition and cultural preservation, and has been widely praised for its lyrical storytelling and striking visual style.
The sold-out session reflects Ferrera’s increasing recognition in both local and international cinema circles. Audiences had the opportunity to engage with the director during a Q&A session, gaining insights into her creative process, filmmaking techniques, and the inspiration behind the documentary.
Based in Madeira, Ava Ferrera continues to make her mark as an emerging voice in contemporary European cinema, with upcoming projects including her feature-length documentary The Art of Fermentation.
Source: Diario de Noticias - Portugal
Film Shot in Madeira Receives International Recognition
June 8, 2025 — Rising independent director Ava Ferrera has received further international acclaim for her work, winning the Best Short Documentary awards at the Paris Film Awards and the Florence Film Awards for her film Echoes of the Past.
Written and directed by Ferrera, Echoes of the Past, filmed on the island of Madeira, investigates the complexities of memory, identity, tradition and cultural preservation. The documentary was praised for its lyrical narrative and striking visual composition, marking Ava Ferrera as a voice on the rise in contemporary European cinema.
Based in Madeira, Ferrera works across writing, directing, cinematography and editing. Her aesthetic — rooted in emotion, elegance and mystery — draws from the French New Wave, film noir and poetic realism. At the core of her work is a desire to tell stories that endure, in a quiet and honest way.
She is currently in the final post‑production phase of her feature‑length documentary The Art of Fermentation, expected to be completed this summer.
Source: Jornal da Madeira - Portugal
Film Shot in Madeira Receives International Distinction
A film shot in Madeira has received international recognition. The short documentary Echoes of the Past, by independent director Ava Ferrera, won Best Short Documentary at both the Paris Film Awards and the Florence Film Awards.
Written and directed by Ava Ferrera, the film explores the complexities of memory, identity, tradition, and cultural preservation.
The documentary has been praised for its lyrical narrative and striking visual composition, establishing Ava Ferrera as a rising voice in contemporary European cinema.
Source: RTP Madeira - Portugal
Ava Ferrera Wins Gold at the Hollywood Gold Awards with Documentary Filmed in Madeira
In April 2025, Portuguese director Ava Ferrera, currently based in Madeira, was awarded the Gold Award for Best Short Documentary at the Hollywood Gold Awards for her film Echoes of the Past.
Filmed on the island of Madeira and written and directed by Ava Ferrera, the documentary delves into the complexities of memory, identity, tradition, and cultural preservation, and has been widely praised for its lyrical narrative and striking visual composition.
This recognition, granted by one of the festivals celebrating the most bold and original voices in global cinema, reinforces Ava Ferrera’s rise in the contemporary European film scene.
Echoes of the Past also serves as a prelude to her feature-length documentary, The Art of Fermentation, which is scheduled to premiere later this year. The short film is currently screening at selected festivals, with wider distribution planned soon.
Source: Madeira Island Magazine - Portugal
Director Based in Madeira Wins Gold Award at the Hollywood Gold Awards
Portuguese film director Ava Ferrera has been honoured with the Gold Award for Best Short Documentary at the April 2025 edition of the Hollywood Gold Awards for her evocative film Echoes of the Past.
Written and directed by Ava Ferrera and filmed on the island of Madeira, Echoes of the Past explores the complexities of memory, identity, tradition, and cultural preservation. The short documentary was praised for its lyrical narrative and striking visual composition, establishing Ferrera as a rising voice in contemporary European cinema.
The Hollywood Gold Awards, known for recognising bold and original voices in global film production, highlighted Echoes of the Past for its emotional storytelling and masterful visual language.
“Receiving this award is an incredible honour,” said Ava Ferrera. “Echoes of the Past is a deeply personal project, and I am grateful that it has resonated with both audiences and jury. I hope it sparks conversations about the legacies we carry and the stories we inherit.”
Ferrera also revealed that the short documentary serves as a prelude to her upcoming feature-length film, The Art of Fermentation, set for release later this year.
Based in Madeira, Portugal, Ava Ferrera has already gained recognition for her narrative shorts and experimental cinema. With this latest accolade, she continues to affirm herself as one of the most exciting emerging filmmakers on the international stage. Echoes of the Past is currently screening at selected festivals and will be made available for wider distribution later this year.
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