Thiago Leoni: An Explorer Behind the Scenes

In a rapidly changing film industry, one director has managed to stay both relevant and distinctive over the past decade: Thiago Leoni. For him, filmmaking is more than a profession; it is his primary language. It is how he captures and expresses emotion, transforms silence into storytelling, and brings people closer together.

Starting his journey in Brazil and rising to acclaim in the United States, Leoni has honed his craft behind the scenes, learning to perfect the technical mastery that allows audiences to feel the magic unfold in front of them.

A Curious Beginning

Growing up in Brazil, Leoni was surrounded by family expectations rooted in tradition and stability. Yet from an early age, he followed his curiosity. Writing stories, poetry, and music became his way to make sense of the world. By his teenage years, he was already performing and experimenting, discovering how sound, words, and images could interact to tell a story in its purest form.

When he arrived at UCLA, Leoni found a space to push that curiosity even further. He explored themes of identity, longing, and cultural difference, learning how to balance influences from two worlds rather than choosing between them. It was there that he began experimenting with various forms of filmmaking like drama, theatre, thriller, and documentary; learning how texture, emotion, and narrative could weave together in unexpected ways.

Breaking Through in Film

From his first major work, Querido Espaço (“Dear Blank”), which brought him recognition as Best First Time Director at the Roma Short Film Festival, to projects like Sofia. Take One. and Yesterday at the Park, Leoni has steadily built a reputation as an auteur who brings raw, unfiltered social realities to life. His films often confront unconventional storylines while maintaining a deeply human perspective, showcasing life in ways that are both personal and universal.

Leoni has also contributed to commercials and advertisement projects in Brazil, earning praise for cinematic tone and emotional storytelling. His experience with narrative short films and documentaries has sharpened his skills, making his commercial work feel grounded, authentic, and resonant with viewers.

What’s Next for Thiago?

Leoni is currently working on an untitled documentary feature with renowned Brazilian actor Ivo Müller, shooting in Los Angeles and New York City. The film breaks away from traditional documentary structures. Rather than relying on interviews or voice-over narration, it uses cinema-verité techniques to immerse viewers in Müller’s journey.

The film explores the often unexplainable drive behind creating art, taking risks, and pursuing bold goals. It brings audiences closer to the emotional reality of its subject while maintaining an honest, lived-in perspective; a hallmark of Leoni’s approach.

The Motivation Behind the Camera

For Thiago, filmmaking is not just about telling stories; it is about articulating feelings that might otherwise remain private. He wants to show people that the world is bigger than they think, that it is full of new experiences to explore, and that empathy is essential. His films spark conversation, invite new perspectives, and create a sense of community in an increasingly isolated society.

His short film Manziello exemplifies this philosophy. It follows the journey of a Brazilian immigrant in Los Angeles, exploring themes of survival and self-worth. Though fictional, it draws from Leoni’s own experiences and has been recognized at Festival Cine Urutu and the Lonely Wolf International Film Festival for its distinctive and resonant storytelling.

Influences That Shaped His Vision

Leoni credits a mix of Brazilian and international filmmakers for shaping his approach. From Brazilian masters like Glauber Rocha and Nelson Pereira dos Santos, to U.S. documentary pioneers D.A. Pennebaker and the Maysles Brothers, he has learned to push technical boundaries while keeping emotion at the forefront. Narrative visionaries like Andrey Tarkovsky and Michelangelo Antonioni taught him precision, pacing, and the art of abstraction.

Today, he looks to modern directors such as Walter Salles, Robert Greene, and Nuri Bilge Ceylan, drawing inspiration from how contemporary cinema continues to stand its ground despite the massive increase in media output worldwide.

Exploring the Unexplored

Writing has always been Leoni’s foundation. Even as a student in a small school in Rio de Janeiro, he embraced unpredictability and exploration, using storytelling to give a voice to those who often go unheard. This drive carries through every one of his projects, whether short films, commercials, or documentaries. His work remains a vital contribution to contemporary cinema, combining technical skill, emotional intelligence, and a desire to connect people across cultures and experiences.