New residences in Brazil and India for the Pop Up Film Residency network!

Created by filmmakers for filmmakers, the Pop Up Film Residency is thrilled to announce two exciting new additions to its global network: a residency in Recife, Brazil, and a twin residency across Madh and Alibag in Mumbai, India. These new locations, both hosted by acclaimed local filmmakers, bring fresh creative energy and distinct cultural landscapes to a program dedicated to supporting independent cinema around the world.

Some cities seem to generate cinema almost by instinct. Recife is one of them. The sun-scorched capital of Pernambuco has long been more than a backdrop — it's a protagonist. Kleber Mendonça Filho has spent his entire career turning the city into film, from Neighbouring Sounds to Aquarius and, most recently, The Secret Agent, a political thriller set in 1970s Recife that won the Best Director prize at Cannes 2025. His films treat the city itself as a character carrying the weight of Brazil's history and contradictions in every frame. Recife is also home to a thriving ecosystem of festivals, critics, and independent filmmakers — a city that has always punched above its weight in world cinema.

Mumbai needs no introduction as a film city, yet its identity on screen is anything but singular. It is the home of Bollywood, one of the world's most prolific film industries, but it is equally the birthplace of Indian parallel cinema and a constant presence in global art house. From Salaam Bombay to Dharavi to the films of Anurag Kashyap and more recently, Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine as Light (Jury Grand Prize at Cannes 2024), Mumbai has always contained multitudes: glamour and grit, industry and independence.

Casa Boa Vista (Recife, Brazil)

Nestled in the heart of Recife, the new Brazilian residency is based at Casa Boa Vista — a cozy, character-filled house located close to the Boa Vista market. Quiet and comfortable, the space offers easy access to the north zone, Olinda, and the beachside neighborhood of Boa Viagem, making it an ideal base for filmmakers looking to immerse themselves in the vibrant cultural fabric of Pernambuco.

Residency Hosts

Rachel Daisy Ellis is a Brazilian-British filmmaker based in Recife and co-founder of the production company Desvia. She has a longstanding creative partnership with Gabriel Mascaro, producing several of his features and co-writing three. She has also co-produced internationally acclaimed films and directed the award-winning short Mini Miss (2018). Her debut feature, Eros (2024), premiered at CPH:DOX. She is currently developing new documentary projects.

João Rêgo is a curator, programmer, and film critic from Pernambuco who began his career as a journalist. He works with Cinema da Fundação Joaquim Nabuco, programming retrospectives and coordinating its film club. He co-founded Noturno — Recife International Short Film Festival — and the Chama Curtas screening series, and has curated for festivals including Nicho 54 and Mostra de Cinema de Tiradentes. He has also participated in programs such as the Locarno Industry Academy and Vitrine Lab.

Madh and Alibag Residences (Mumbai, India)

Set along the western coast of India, the Madh and Alibag Residences offer filmmakers a rare combination of landscapes. Madh Island, at the far western edge of Mumbai, looks out over the Arabian Sea — a tranquil escape that remains deeply connected to India's most dynamic city. Alibag, a coastal town known for its long shorelines, dense groves, and unhurried pace of life, rounds out this twin-location residency with a welcome sense of openness and calm.

Residency Hosts

Satyanshu Singh is an award-winning Indian filmmaker, writer, and educator. He is the lead writer, director, and co-showrunner of the acclaimed Netflix series Black Warrant, recognized by Variety and the Asian Creative Academy Awards. Originally trained as a medical doctor, he made his cinematic debut with Udaan (Cannes 2010) and has since directed the National Award-winning short Tamaash, the feature Chintu Ka Birthday, and the series Jehanabad. He teaches internationally and co-authored the Hindi screenwriting book Idea Se Parde Tak.

Pratik Thakare is a Mumbai-based screenwriter and filmmaker and a graduate of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. He is currently writing for the second season of Black Warrant on Netflix. His debut short, Salana Jalsa, premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival and screened at major festivals internationally. His debut feature project A Midnight Meal was selected for MunichFilmUp!, and he has collaborated on script labs and development programs in India with Tatino Films and Netflix's Grow Creative.

These two new residencies reflect the Pop Up Film Residency's continued commitment to connecting filmmakers with vibrant local communities across the globe. With hosts of such depth and experience, both Recife and Mumbai promise to be inspiring homes for the next generation of cinematic voices.

For more information, visit www.popupfilmresidency.org