Orlando Pantera

More than a biography, this film is a tribute to an artist who never became a star in his lifetime but remains a powerful symbol of Cape Verdean identity and culture.

The Cape Verde islands, off the coast of West Africa, are home to a large tradition of music. This film features the story of Orlando Pantera, a Cape Verdean musician and composer who tragically died at age 33, in 2001.  Pantera left a lasting impact on Cape Verdean music, reviving its Afro-rooted traditions, particularly from the island of Santiago, where he was born. The film includes archival materials shot in 2000 by the filmmaker and follows his daughter encounters with meaningful places, people and memories and explores his legacy while also capturing unique musical performances set against Cape Verde’s tropical and rugged landscapes. Artists like Mayra Andrade and Princezito interpret his work, showing how his influence continues to shape contemporary capeverdian music.

FESTIVALS:

[2025] IndieLisboa - International Film Festival (IndieMusic Award, Audience Award for Feature Film) [Portugal]
[2025] MDOC - Festival Internacional de Documentário de Melgaço [Portugal]
[2025] IndieCork Film Festival [Ireland]
[2025] DjarFogo International Film Festival [Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau]
[2025] Caminhos do Cinema Português [Portugal]
[2025] Porto/Post/Doc: Film & Media Festival (Audience Award) [Portugal]
[2025] Korea International Ethnographic Film Festival - KIEFF [South Korea]
[2026] FIPADOC [France]