I was born in 1977, in Bahrain, but grew up in Lisbon, Portugal. From an early age, I was drawn to the image, first through photography, and it was sound that led me to cinema — to the fascination of the moving and “time” image. I studied film and specialized in editing, mainly documentaries but also some fiction. I come from the analog era and lived through the transition to digital, always searching for the aura of the image. I believe the secret of a good editor is to know how to find it — and also to know how to dance, because dance teaches rhythm, in both time and silence. In my free time, I am also a fado singer.

Maria Joana Figueiredo

I was born in 1977, in Bahrain, but grew up in Lisbon, Portugal. From an early age, I was drawn to the image, first through photography, and it was sound that led me to cinema — to the fascination of the moving and “time” image. I studied film and specialized in editing, mainly documentaries but also some fiction. I come from the analog era and lived through the transition to digital, always searching for the aura of the image. I believe the secret of a good editor is to know how to find it — and also to know how to dance, because dance teaches rhythm, in both time and silence. In my free time, I am also a fado singer.

Available to hire

I was born in 1977, in Bahrain, but grew up in Lisbon, Portugal. From an early age, I was drawn to the image, first through photography, and it was sound that led me to cinema — to the fascination of the moving and “time” image. I studied film and specialized in editing, mainly documentaries but also some fiction. I come from the analog era and lived through the transition to digital, always searching for the aura of the image. I believe the secret of a good editor is to know how to find it — and also to know how to dance, because dance teaches rhythm, in both time and silence. In my free time, I am also a fado singer.

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Language

Portuguese
Fluent
English
Intermediate
French
Intermediate

Work Experience

Film Editor / Director at Independent / Freelance
January 1, 2001 - Present
Since 2001, I have been working between editing and directing in cinema and theatre, with extensive experience editing documentaries. I have also worked as a continuity script in fiction and served as a videographer for Sporting Clube de Portugal, filming and editing in quick turnaround.
Video Editor at Sporting Clube de Portugal SAD
August 1, 2021 - September 17, 2025
Collaborated in the making of videos for Sporting Clube de Portugal; engagement started in January 2019 and ended August 2021.
Freelance Editor and Director at Various Directors / Freelance
January 1, 2001 - Present
Edited and directed for numerous Portuguese cinema projects; collaborated with Teresa Villaverde (ÁGUA E SAL, TRANSE, SWAN, AMAPOLA) and other notable directors; involved in editing for numerous other titles listed in filmography.
Videographer / Video Editor at Sporting Clube de Portugal (SAD)
August 1, 2021 - September 17, 2025
Filmed and edited club videos; collaborated on video production from January 2019 to August 2021.
Editor – UNICEF São Tomé and Príncipe project at UNICEF São Tomé and Príncipe / No-Land
December 31, 2014 - September 17, 2025
Edited documentary material for 25 YEARS OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS (20’) for UNICEF São Tomé and Príncipe; production No-Land 2014.
Video Production / Show Editing at LARGO Residências
December 31, 2015 - September 17, 2025
Filming and editing of the Lis+Bú show (105’) directed by Madalena Victorino and Pedro Salvador; production by LARGO Residências (2015).

Education

Enrolment at Lisbon Film School
January 1, 1996 - September 17, 2025
Erasmus Exchange Program at Munich Film and Television Department (Germany)
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1999
Bachelor of Cinema - Area Editing at Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema
January 1, 2000 - September 17, 2025
Cinema-Direction Course at Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2004
Bachelor in Cinema-Area Editing at Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema
January 1, 2000 - September 17, 2025
Cinema-Direction Course at Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2004
Erasmus Programme in Film and Television at Munich, Germany
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 1999

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Other