Entertainment · Books & Arts · 1 hr ago
Renata de Almeida’s book looks back on São Paulo’s film festival
Renata de Almeida’s book tells the story of São Paulo’s international film festival through her personal memories of its editions.
Almeida joined the event’s organizing team in 1989 and later shared its direction with her husband, festival founder Leon Cakoff.
Cakoff died of cancer in 2011, and the book connects their family life with their work on the festival.
The festival faced funding problems, logistical hurdles and the pandemic as it built a 50-year history and a loyal audience.
Almeida also recalls visiting filmmakers, including Quentin Tarantino, Wim Wenders and Abbas Kiarostami, and the relationships formed through the event.
The book also traces how the work of organizing a major festival changed, from arranging guests and bringing film copies to Brazil to newer methods and tools.
Renata de Almeida’s book “Antes que Eu Me Esqueça” looks back on her life and work with the São Paulo International Film Festival.
Almeida began working for the festival in 1989 and later shared its direction with her husband, founder Leon Cakoff.
The book follows the festival’s editions and recounts personal milestones, including the birth of Almeida’s two children and Cakoff’s death in 2011.
It also describes the challenges of organizing the event, from funding problems and film clearance delays to the pandemic.
The festival’s 50-year history has brought filmmakers back to São Paulo and built a loyal audience.
- Who
- Renata de Almeida, who worked for and later shared the direction of the São Paulo International Film Festival.
- What
- Her book “Antes que Eu Me Esqueça” recounts the festival’s history and her personal experiences with it.
- When
- The article was published on October 13, 2026; the book’s publication date is not stated.
- Where
- São Paulo, Brazil.
- Why
- The book offers an affectionate account of the festival and Almeida’s life connected to it.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Almeida began working in the organization of the festival’s 13th edition.
Quentin Tarantino attended the festival with “Reservoir Dogs” and spent several days in São Paulo.
Walter Salles served on the festival jury and helped foreign guests find taxis after a dinner.
Wim Wenders selected 14 films for the program, spoke with audiences and brought his then-new film “Palermo Shooting.
Leon Cakoff died of cancer at age 63.
- Book
- Antes que Eu Me Esqueça
- Author
- Renata de Almeida
- Festival
- São Paulo International Film Festival
- Almeida joined
- 1989, at the festival’s 13th edition
- Cakoff died
- 2011, aged 63
- Festival history
- 50 years
Sources
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