Brazil’s largest and most prestigious film festival, the Gramado Film Festival, is set to honor two of the country’s biggest breakouts in the international film scene: Selton Mello and Maria Fernanda Cândido. The festival, which takes place from August 12-22, will feature a range of Brazilian and international films, including the world premiere of ‘Antártida,’ a production by Brazilian media giant Globo.

Gramado, which is held in the picturesque mountain resort town of Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, has a distinctly Bavarian feel, reflecting the influx of German settlers in the 19th century. The festival, which is organized by Gramadotur, the tourism and culture authority of Gramado Town Hall, will offer audio description and Brazilian Sign Language interpretation and subtitles for all feature films in the competitive sections.

The festival will feature six Brazilian features competing for the main Kikito prize, five of which are world premieres. The competing films include ‘Chorão: Só os Loucos Sabem,’ ‘Justino – Nos Bastidores do Reino,’ ‘Leite em Pó,’ ‘Nosso Segredo,’ and ‘Pele de Rinoceronte.’ The sixth film, ‘Gugu’s World,’ won the best film award at Berlin’s Generation KPlus this year.

The festival will also stage the Brazilian premiere of ‘Emergência 53,’ a production by Conspiração for Globoplay. The film, which is directed by Andrucha Waddington and Cláudio Torres, was a standout at this year’s Berlinale Series Market for its boldness and won the Studio Babelsberg Production Excellence Award for outstanding creative projects that combine artistic ambition with international potential.

Selton Mello, who will be honored at the festival, is a well-known Brazilian actor who has appeared in a range of films, including ‘I’m Still Here,’ the first Portuguese-language Brazilian feature to win an Academy Award. He has also directed several films, including ‘The Clown’ and ‘The Movie of My Life.’

Maria Fernanda Cândido, the other honoree, is known internationally for her roles in Marco Bellocchio’s ‘The Traitor,’ ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,’ and ‘The Secret Agent,’ which scored four Oscar-nominations, an all-time record for Brazil.

The festival will also honor several other notable figures in the Brazilian film industry, including President of the Brazilian Film Academy, producer Renata Almeida Magalhães, who will receive the Eduardo Abelin Trophy. Andrea Beltrão, nominated for an Intl. Emmy Award for her performance in ‘Hebe,’ will take home the Oscarito Trophy. Actor, screenwriter, and director Marcos Caruso, who has appeared in a range of films, including ‘Brazil Avenue,’ will be honored with the City of Gramado Trophy.