Photo: File:Fernando Meirelles - Österreichpremiere 360 Wiener Volkstheater 01.jpg: Manfred Werner (Tsui) derivative work: Minerva97 / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Fernando Meirelles, born on September 11, 1955 in São Paulo, Brazil, is a film director, film producer and screenwriter. As of 2026, Fernando Meirelles is 70 years old. Schooling on record includes University of São Paulo. Awards on record include Commander of the Order of Cultural Merit (Brazil) (2016), Brazilian Cinema Grand Prize for Best Director and Officer of the Order of Rio Branco (2006).
My Take
Meirelles is, for me, the Brazilian filmmaker who proved that stories from the margins could command the whole world's attention. Born in São Paulo and trained at the University of São Paulo, he is forever linked to City of God, a furious, kinetic portrait of favela life that earned international acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. I still feel that film grab me on every rewatch. Decorated with Brazil's cultural honors and still working, he is a director I deeply respect for delivering universal, urgent cinema from the other side of the globe.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Fernando Meirelles
- Name (Japanese)
- フェルナンド・メイレレス
- Reading
- ふぇるなんど・めいれれす
- Born
- September 11, 1955 (age 70)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Virgo / Goat
- Origin
- São Paulo, Brazil
- Occupation
- film director / film producer / screenwriter / director
2. Background
- University
- University of São Paulo
Awards & achievements
- 2016 Commander of the Order of Cultural Merit (Brazil)
- Brazilian Cinema Grand Prize for Best Director
- 2006 Officer of the Order of Rio Branco
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Fernando Meirelles born?
Born September 11, 1955 (age 70).
Where is Fernando Meirelles from?
Fernando Meirelles is from São Paulo, Brazil.
What does Fernando Meirelles do?
Fernando Meirelles works as film director, film producer, screenwriter, director.
Film director — see all → · Film producer — see all → · More people from Brazil →