FERNANDO EPSTEIN
Productor – Editor – Docente
Award winning producer and film editor, with more than 40 credits in Latin American films, Fernando Epstein has been part of the birth of recent Uruguayan Cinematography and recent Latin American most successful films such as Monos, and The Heiresses.
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1969. He studied Social Communication at the
Catholic University of Uruguay. Soon after graduating he started working as an editor in the edge of the analogue and digital era. From 1997 to 2001, his first job related to film consisted in editing commercial spots, video clips and documentaries.
25 Watts (Juan Pablo Rebella – Pablo Stoll, 2001) was his first experience as Producer and Film Editor. The same year he founded CONTROL Z FILMS together with Rebella and Stoll to distribute 25 Watts and produce feature and short film projects such as Whisky (Rebella – Stoll, 2004), The Dog Pound (Manuel Nieto, 2006), Acne (Federico Veiroj, 2008), Gigante (Adrián Biniez, 2009), Hiroshima (Pablo Stoll, 2009) and 3 (Pablo Stoll, 2011). All this films collected awards in Cannes, Berlin, Rotterdam and other festivals. Whisky and Gigante where theatrically released in more than 30 countries.
In 2011 together with Agustina Chiarino they founded MUTANTE CINE, a new
production company focused on the discovery of new talent but also with a strong focus in audiovisual training. The first feature film produced by Mutante
Cine is El 5 (directed by Adrian Biniez) that was premiered in Venice Days 2014. Since then they produced several feature length fiction and documentaries such as Madness on Air (Alicia Cano & Leticia Cuba). They also participate as minority coproducers: History of fear (Benjamin Naishtat – Argentina) that was premiered in Official Competition at Berlin International film festival, My friend from the park (Ana Katz - Argentina) and the heiresses (Marcelo Martinessi, Paraguay), winner of 3 Silver Bears at the Berlin international Film festival - Official Competition.
From Control Z Films as well as Mutante Cine, Fernando led the theatrical release and commercial distribution in Uruguay for all his productions and coproductions.
As a Film Editor, he has edited all the feature films he has produced. He also worked in both fiction and documentaries as free-lancer for Latin American directors including Neon Bull and Divine love (Gabriel Mascaro - Brazil) and the silence of the river (Carlos Tribiño, Colombia). One of his latest works, the documentary Ecstasy (Moara Passoni, Brazil) which just premiered at CPH DOX and VISIONS DU REEL in their virtual version due to the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020. In 2018 he started working as Editing Consultant for several Latin American productions at post production process.
On the training side, since 2013 MUTANTE CINE has been the Latin American host for the program PUENTES by EAVE, a European organization focused on the training of film producers, where Fernando also participates as a group leader and expert. So, he does for PUENTES URUGUAY. He also participates at the BIO BIO LAB in Concepcion, Chile as an expert in production and film editing.
He also worked as Professor, teaching Executive Film Production at ECU (Escuela de Cine del Uruguay), ORT University, UCUDAL (Catholic University of Uruguay) and EICTV (International School of Film and Television, San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba). As teacher in film editing he worked for the UDELAR (National Uruguayan University) and currently at UCUDAL for documentary students.
His latest production is a Colombian Feature: Monos directed by Alejandro Landes, won a Jury Special Prize at Sundance Film Festival 2019, the Audience Award at Cartagena Film Festival, Best Film at London Film Festival among others. It had its European Premiere at Berlin International Film Festival and was released in US, Canada, Spain, UK, Italy, France and other 15 territories.
Filmography
*all titles are Uruguayan Feature Films unless listed differently*
Producer / Executive Producer
• Aleli, directed by Leticia Jorge (2019)
• Monos, directed by Alejandro Landes (2019)
• Madness on Air, directed by Alicia Cano and Leticia Cuba –feature documentary- (2018)
• The Waves, directed by Adrián Biniez (2017)
• El 5, directed by Adrián Biniez (2014)
• So much water, directed by Ana Guevara and Leticia Jorge (2013)
• -3- directed by Pablo Stoll (2012)
• Hiroshima, directed by Pablo Stoll (2009)
• Gigante, directed by Adrian Biniez (2009)
• Acne, directed by Federico Veiroj (2008)
• The dog pound, directed by Manuel Nieto (2006)
• Whisky, directed by Juan Pablo Rebella, Pablo Stoll (2004)
• 25 Watts, directed by Juan Pablo Rebella, Pablo Stoll (2001)
Coproducer
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The heiresses, directed by Marcelo Martinessi (Paraguay 2018)
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Lovelling, directed by Gustavo Pizzi (Brazil 2018)
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Une Vie Ailleurs (2017) directed by Olivier Peyon (France, 2017)
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My friend from the Park, directed by Ana Katz (Argentina, 2015)
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History of fear, directed by Benjamin Naisthtat (Argentina 2014)
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A mysterious world, directed by Rodrigo Moreno (Argentina 2011)
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The custodian, directed by Rodrigo Moreno (Argentina 2006)
Film Editor
• UTAMA, directed by Alejandro Loayza (Bolivia in post-production)
• Ecstasy, directed by Moara Passoni (Docu – Fiction Brazil, 2020)
• Hogar, directed by Gerardo Minutti (Short film, 2019)
• The money changer, directed by Federico Veiroj (2019)
• Divine love, directed by Gabriel Mascaro (Brazil 2019)
• AMUKAN, directed by Francisco Toro Lessen (Chile, 2019)
• The heiresses, directed by Marcelo Martinessi (Paraguay, 2018)
• Neon Bull, directed by Gabriel Mascaro (Brazil, 2015)
• The silence of the river, directed by Carlos Tribiño Mamby (Colombia, 2015)
• El 5, directed by Adrián Biniez (2014)
• El Bella vista, directed by Alicia Cano (Feature Documentary, 2014)
• -3- directed by Pablo Stoll (2012)
• The Flicker, directed by Gabriel Sollozsy (Feature Documentary, 2010)
• Hiroshima, directed by Pablo Stoll (2009)
• Gigante, directed by Adrian Biniez (2009)
• Liverpool, directed by Lisandro Alonso, (Argentina, 2008)
• Acne, directed by Federico Veiroj (2008)
• Total availability, directed by Adrian Biniez (Short Film, 2008)
• 8 hours, directed by Adrian Biniez (Short Film - 2008)
• D.F. Final-destination, directed by Mateo Gutierrez -(Feature Documentary - 2008)
• The dog pound, directed by Manuel Nieto (2006)
• Whisky, directed by Juan Pablo Rebella, Pablo Stoll (2004)
• Despite Treblinka, directed by Gerardo Stawsky (Feature documentary 2003)
• 25 Watts, directed by Juan Pablo Rebella, Pablo Stoll (2001)
• The gift, directed by Gabriela Guillermo, (Medium length film, 2000)
Editing Consultant
• To kill a dead man, directed by Hugo Gimenez (Paraguay, 2020)
• She and me directed by Gustavo Rosa de Moura (Brazil, in postproduction)
• Pedro the First, directed by Lais Bodanzky (Brazil, in postproduction)
• The invisible, directed by Javier Andrade (Ecuador, in postproduction)
• Taking care of the sun, directed by Catalina Razzini (Bolivia, in postproduction)
• The singing of flies, directed by Ricardo Soto (Mexico, in postproduction)
Teacher / Professor / Expert
• Avid Certifcate Instructor (Private, 1998 – 2000)
• Executive Production Seminar (ECU Escuela de cine del Uruguay 2002 to 2005)
• Production Teacher (ORT University, 2004 – 2006)
• FORMATA PARAGUAY: Executive Production Seminar (Paraguay, 2009 – Uruguay 2010 to 2013)
• Executive Production Seminar (UCUDAL, 2011 -2013)
• Executive Production Seminar (UCF Uruguay Campus Film, 2016 -2019)
• BIO BIO Production Lab (as “production expert”, Concepción, Chile 2014 -2018)
• BIO BIO Post Production Lab (as “film editing expert”, Concepción, Chile 2014 -2018)
• EAVE PUENTES (as “Group leader” and “Production expert”, 2011 – 2018)
Other
• Director for Implementation of the Mercosur Theatres Net (for Uruguayan Cinema Institute 2014- 2016)
AWARDS - RECOGNITIONS
MONOS Released at Sundance International Film Festival & PANORAMA section of the Berlin International Film Festival, January - February 2019
- Special Jury Award @ Sundance International Film Festival, USA.
- Audience Award @ Cartagena de Indias Film Festival, Colombia
- Special Jury Award @ 2019 Sundance International Festival (USA)
- Audience Award @2019 Cartagena International Film Festival (FICCI) (Colombia)
- Best Fiction @ Toulouse Latin American Film Festival 2019 (France)
- Best Original Music for Mica Levi @ 2019 Buenos Aires Independent Film Festival (BAFICI) (Argentina)
- Best Film @ 2019 Newport Beach Festival Film (USA)
- Best Director for Alejandro Landes @2019 Newport Beach Festival Film (USA)
- Best Cinematography for Jasper Wolf @ 2019 Newport Beach Festival Film (USA)
- Best Actress for Sofia Buenaventura @ Newport Beach Festival Film (USA)
- Best Fiction Feature Film @ 2019 Montclair Film Festival (USA)
- Transylvania Trophy for Best Film @ 2019 Transylvania International Film Festival (Rumania)
- Blue Angel for Best Film @ Art Film Fest 2019 (Slovakia)
- Best Director for Alejandro Landes @2019 Odesa International Film Festival (Ukraine)
- Best International Director for Alejandro Landes @2019 Santiago International Film Festival (SANFIC) (Chile)
- Gran Paoa Award for Best Film @ 2019 Viña del Mar International Film Festival (FICVIÑA) (Chile)
- Specialized Press Award @2019 Viña del Mar International Film Festival (FICVIÑA) (Chile)
- Emeric Pressburger Prize for Best Film @2019 Cinefest Miskolc International Film Festival (Hungary)
- International Confederation of Art Cinemas Jury’s Prize @2019 Cinefest Miskolc International Film Festival (Hungary)
- Sebastiane Award @ 2019 San Sebastian International Film Festival (Spain)
- Best Latin American Film @2019 Latino Media Fest (USA)
- Best Actress for Julianne Nicholson @ Ourense Film Festival 2019 (Spain)
- Best Director for Alejandro Landes @ Ourense Film Festival 2019 (Spain)
- Best Film Official Competition @ 2019 London Film Festival (UK)
- International Jury Special Award @ 2019 International Film Festival War on Screen (France)
- Georges Delerue Award for Best Music and Sound Design (Mica Levi & Lena Esquenazi) @ 2019 Flanders International Film Festival Ghent (Belgium)
- Explore Zone Award @ 2019 Flanders International Film Festival Ghent (Belgium)
- Special Mention Carmel International Film Competition @ Haifa Film Festival 2019 (Israel)
- Special Mention at the Feature Film Competition @ Zagreb International Film Festival 2019 (Croatia)
- FIPRESCI Award @ 2019 Ljubljana International Film Festival (Slovenia)
- Best Latin American Feature Film @ Meliés International Festivals Federation
- Best Ibero-American Award @ Palm Springs International Film Festival 2020
MADNESS ON AIR (documentary) Released at Malaga International Film Festival, April 2018
- Audience Award @ Biarritz Latin American Film Festival Documentaries Competence, France
- Best Documentary Feature @ Detour Film Festival, Uruguay
- Alberto Mántaras Award @ AtlantiDoc Festival, Uruguay
EL 5 Released at Giornatti degli Autori section of the Venice International Film Festival, August 2014
- Best Director @ Mar del Plata Film Festival
SO MUCH WATER Released at PANORAMA section of the Berlin International Film Festival. January, 2013
- FIPRESCI Award @ Cartagena de Indias Film Festival, Colombia
- Best Film & Best Script @ Miami International Film Festival, USA
- Best Opera Prima @ Guadalajara International Film Festival, Mexico
- Special Jury Mention @ Transylvania International Film Festival, Romania
- Best Film for Youth @ Zlin Film Festival, Czech Republic
- Best Opera Prima @Lima Latin American Film Festival, Peru
- Special Jury Mention @ Detour Travel Film Festival, Italy
- Best Male Actor @ La Orquidea Film Festival, Ecuador
- Best Opera Prima @ Cinema Tropical Awards, USA
- Best Male Actor & Best Female Actress & Best Direction @ Costa Rica International Film Festival, Costa Rica
3 Released at 44th Director´s Fortnight - Cannes, May 2012
- Best Director @ Unasur Film Festival, Argentina
- Itamaraty Award @ Latin American Festival of San Pablo, Brazil
- Best Sound & Best Editing & Best Original Score & Female revelation Best Actress @Association of Uruguayan Cinematographic Critics Award, Uruguay
HIROSHIMA Released at 34th Toronto International Film Festival, September 2009
- Special Jury Mention @Latin American Competence Mar del Plata Film, Argentina
- Special Mention by Fipresci @ Festival del Nuevo Cine Latino Americano de La Habana, Cuba
GIGANTE Released at 59th Berlin International Film Festival – Official Competence, February 2009
- Silver Bear Best Opera Prima & Alfred Bauer Award & Silver Special Jury Award@ Berlin International Film Festival, Germany
- Special Jury Award @Lima Latin American Film Festival, Peru
- Best Actor & Best Script & FIPRESCI AWARD@ Festival de Cine de Gramado, Brazil
- Golden Hugo Award Best Director & Golden Hugo Award Best Film, Chicago International Film Festival, USA
- Audience Award Best Cinematography@ Manaki Brothers International Films Festival, Macedonia
- Horizontes Latinos Award@ San Sebastian International Film Festival, Spain
Coral Award Best Opera Prima @ Festival del Nuevo Cine Latino Americano de La Habana, Cuba
- Best director @ Bombay International Film Festival, India
- Best Film@ Istanbul Independent Film Festival, Turkey
- Crystal Simorgh Award Best Director @ Fajr International Film Festival, Iran
- Best Film @ Cartagena de Indias Film Festival, Colombia
ACNE Released at 40th Director´s Fortnight - Cannes, May 2008
- Cine en Construcción TVE Award @ San Sebastian International Film Festival, Spain
- Jury Award @ AFI, Los Angeles, EEUU
- Coral Award Best Opera Prima @ Festival del Nuevo Cine Latino Americano de La Habana, Cuba
- Best Director @ SANFIC Santiago de Chile Independent Film Festival, Chile
- Nominated to Goya Award Best Hispanic Film, @ Goya Awards, Spain
THE DOG POUND Released at 35th Rotterdam International Film Festival, January 2006
- VPRO Tiger Award @Rotterdam International Film Festival, Holland
- Key to Freedom Award@ Huelva Ibero American Film Festival, Spain
- Best film @ Uruguayan Film Critics Association Awards
WHISKY Released at 57th Cannes International Film Festival – Un Certain Regard, May 2004
- PRIX DU REGARD ORIGINEL & FIPRESCI AWARD @Un Certain Regard, Cannes - France.
- Best Film & Best Actress @ Latin American Film Festival, Lima, Peru
- Special Mention: Best Cinematography @ Manaki Brothers International Films Festival, Macedonia
- Audience Award & Best Film & Best Actress @ Gramado Film Festival, Brazil
-Silver Hugo Best Director @ Chicago International Film Festival, USA
- Best Film & Best Actress @Tokyo International Film Festival, Japan
- Golden Colón Best Film & Silver Colon Best direction @ Huelva Ibero American Film Festival, Spain
- Best Film @ San Juan Cinemafest, Puerto Rico, USA
- Best Script & Best Actress @ Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Greece
- Coral Award to Best Fiction & Special Mention Glauber Rocha Award by the international Press @ Festival del Nuevo Cine Latino Americano de La Habana, Cuba
- FIPRESCI Award & Best Film & Acting Revelation Award & Best Film & Best Director & Best Actor & Best Actress & Best Script & Best Cinematography & Best Music @ Festival Cinematográfico Internacional de Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Goya Award Best Hispanic Film, @ Goya Awards, Spain
- Best Actress @Miami International Film Festival, USA
- Best Actress & Audience Award & “Guerrero” Award by the specialized Press @Festival de Guadalajara, Mexico
- Ariel Award Best Ibero American Film, @ Mexican Academy of Arts and Cinematographic Sciences, Mexico
- Golden Iris @ Iris Awards, Uruguay
- Transylvania Trophy @ Transylvania International Film Festival, Romania
- Audience Award @Quebec Festival du CINEMA des 3 Ameriques, Canada
- Audience Award & Special Jury Award @ 8º Festival de Cine Latinoamericano de Washington D.C., USA
- Best Latin American Film of the Decade @ Cinema Tropical Awards, USA
25 WATTS Released at 30th Rotterdam International Film Festival, January 2001
-VPRO Tiger Award & Movie zone Award (Young Jury Award) @ 30º Rotterdam International Film Festival, Holland
-Best Male Actor(s) Daniel Hendler, Alfonso Tort y Jorge Temponi & FIRESCI AWARD @Buenos Aires Independent Film Festival (BAFICI), Argentina
-Best Script & “La Gran Ilusión Magazine” Award @Lima Latin American Film Festival, Peru
-Special Jury Mention @Cine Cinema Jove International Film Festival, Valencia – Spain
-Special Jury Mention @ Bogotá International Film Festival, Colombia
-Best Film @VIII Festival de Cine Independiente de Barcelona L’Alternativa. Spain
-Coral Award Best Opera Prima @ Festival del Nuevo Cine Latino Americano de La Habana, Cuba