One of the most important names in animation, João Gonzalez (Porto, 1996) made history as the first Portuguese director to be up for an Oscar. Ice Merchants, the film that gained him a nomination for Best Animated Short Film, blazed a dazzling trail that began in a small bedroom in London and ended with Hollywood acclaim. In between, the film caught the attention of festivals, won dozens of awards and was the first Portuguese animated film to be distinguished at the Cannes Film Festival.

After a degree in Multimedia at ESMAD, João Gonzalez completed a master’s at the Royal College of Arts, London, and it was at these institutions that he directed the films The Voyage and Nestor respectively.

A classically trained pianist, he frequently brings together his skills in music and animation, taking on the role of composer and, occasionally, instrumentalist for his films, accompanying them with one-off live performances.

Screening with talk and live performance by João Gonzalez. The films The Voyager, Le ravissement de Frank N. Stein and Father and Daughter will be presented with a soundtrack composed and played live by the filmmaker.