The international cinematic universe turns its eyes to Brazilian talent with the recent appointment of Adolpho Veloso. The renowned director of photography was officially nominated for the Oscar award for his exceptional work on the film “Dreams of Trem”, a recognition that further elevates national cinema on the global stage. The news, which quickly reverberated throughout the industry, highlights the artist’s mastery in creating impactful visual narratives and his ability to transform light into poetry on the big screen.
Veloso’s nomination was enthusiastically received, putting his name in the spotlight in the crowded Melhor Fotografia category. Este recognition not only celebrates the professional’s individual talent, but also highlights the growing influence and quality of Brasil’s audiovisual productions, which each year gain more space and prestige in the most important international awards.
The Oscar ceremony, scheduled for March 15th at Los Angeles, in the Estados Unidos, promises to be a remarkable event. Veloso joins other Brazilians who are also competing for statuettes, consolidating a period of great visibility for the country’s audiovisual production and generating great expectations among cinema lovers.
Brazilian highlight in the photography category
Adolpho his work on “Dreams of Trem”, an engaging drama directed by Clint Bentley, is highlighted as one of the film’s highlights. The production stands out for the choice of predominantly natural lighting and the setting in the vast and poetic settings of Noroeste of Estados Unidos, which together create a unique, almost palpable atmosphere, which permeates the memory of the protagonist Robert Grainier, played with sensitivity by Joel Edgerton. Essa’s approach not only highlights Veloso’s ability to capture the essence of the story and emotions through his lens, but also contributes decisively to the audience’s immersion in the narrative, transforming each frame into a visceral and reflective experience that resonates with the soul of the characters and the rustic beauty of the environment.
The minimalist technique behind “Dreams of Trem”
Veloso’s approach to Dreams of Trem is notable for its almost exclusive reliance on natural light, with 99% of scenes captured under ambient lighting conditions, a stylistic choice that gives the film a raw authenticity and undeniable organic beauty. Essa technique, carefully employed, not only underlines the landscape and characters with a rare visual honesty, but also establishes a direct dialogue with the human experience, where nature becomes a character as vital as those who inhabit the screen, allowing light and shadow to narrate for themselves the complexities of the protagonist’s emotional journey. The director of photography uses this methodology to immerse the viewer in a palpable reality, where every ray of sunlight and every cast shadow serves to deepen the narrative and the psychological development of the characters, creating an atmosphere that is both intimate and grand.
Such minimalist mastery is a hallmark of Veloso’s career, who is inspired by great masters of film photography, such as the legendary American Gordon Willis, known for his ability to manipulate light and darkness to create depth and mystery in iconic films such as “The Poderoso Chefão”. The influence of Willis, perceived in the discretion and power of the images in Essa work philosophy allows the film to breathe, for silences and looks to gain extraordinary visual weight, resulting in a cinematic experience that resonates far beyond the projection, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
International recognition and upward trajectory
The nomination for Oscar is not the first major recognition in the career of Adolpho Veloso, who has accumulated awards and praise from critics around the world. In 2025, he was awarded the award of Melhor Direção of Fotografia by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), one of the most prestigious critics associations of the
The following year, 2026, Veloso also received the Critics Choice Awards for the same work, “Jockey”, consolidating his reputation as one of the most promising talents in his field and demonstrating a rare consistency in delivering excellent work. Esses previous awards demonstrate the unquestionable quality of his work, which now culminates in the most coveted award in world cinema, the Oscar.
Collaboration with director
The Brazilian panorama at the awards
In addition to the notable nomination for Adolpho Veloso, Brasil celebrates four other nominations for Oscar, demonstrating the strength and dynamism of its film production. The film “O Agente Secreto”, an acclaimed production directed by the renowned Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring
The presence of two Brazilian works in such important categories highlights the richness and diversity of the country’s cinematographic production. Essas nominations not only celebrate individual talents, but also the collective strength of an industry that continues to overcome challenges and generate high-quality and relevant content, able to speak to global audiences and address universal themes with a unique perspective.
The long-awaited 98th edition of Oscar
The 98th edition of the Oscar ceremony promises innovations and memorable moments in the history of world cinema, reaffirming its position as the most important event in the seventh art. Marcada for March 15th, the gala will take place in the city of Los Angeles, cradle of the global film industry, where the biggest names on the big screen will come together to celebrate the year’s achievements.
For the second year in a row, the charismatic comedian Conan O’Brien returns as host of the event, promising a touch of humor and irreverence to the awards night. Sua presence, which became a highlight of the previous edition, adds an element of light entertainment to the formality of the ceremony, guaranteeing laughter and relaxed moments between the announcements of the winners.
One of the biggest news of this edition is the long-awaited debut of a new category: Melhor Direção of Elenco. Esta is the first time that a new category has been added to the awards since 2002, reflecting the growing importance and recognition of the fundamental work of casting directors in the construction of a film, who are responsible for bringing the characters to life.
The inclusion of this new modality highlights the crucial role that casting directors play in shaping performances and the authenticity of the stories told in cinema, being an important step towards valuing all professionals involved in the seventh art and towards a more complete representation of the talents that contribute to the success of a production.
Future projects and legacy of Veloso
Adolpho Veloso’s schedule is full of new projects that promise to keep his name in the spotlight on the international scene, demonstrating his versatility and the high demand for his talent. Entre planned releases include “Queen at Sea”, directed by Lance Hammer, a filmmaker known for his particular artistic vision, which will feature the acclaimed actress Juliette Binoche.
Another highly anticipated production is “Remain”, a psychological thriller by M. Night Shyamalan, master of suspense, with Jake Gyllenhaal in the main cast. Esses future work solidifies Veloso’s position as a highly sought after director of photography, capable of masterfully moving between different genres and collaborating with some of the most prestigious names in the global film industry.
Influences and the impact of your vision
Throughout his career, Veloso not only developed his own visual signature, characterized by depth and poetry, but also allowed himself to be influenced by great names in cinema, such as the aforementioned Gordon Willis, known for his mastery in films such as “O Poderoso Chefão” and “Annie Hall”. Essa fusion of classical inspiration and originality culminates in a style that is simultaneously reverent and innovative, marking each of his films with an unmistakable depth and atmosphere that uniquely captures and holds the viewer’s attention.
