Petra Costa
DirectingAbout Petra Costa
Petra Costa is a Brazilian filmmaker and actress. She first directed the short film Undertow Eyes (2009) which screened at the MoMA and was winner of best short film at Rio Film Festival, Cine Las Americas International Film Festival, London International Documentary Festival among others. She then directed the feature Elena (2012) which premiered at IDFA, followed by SXSW and HotDocs. Elena won many prizes such as best film at Havana Film Festival (2013), was nominated for Best Cinematography at the 2014 Cinema Eye Honors and was the most watched documentary in Brazil in 2013. In 2013 Petra was one of the 20 recipients of a grant given by CPH:DOX in Denmark. From this grant Petra and her Danish co-director Lea Glob developed a feature film, currently in postproduction, with the working title Olmo and the Seagull. The film is being produced by Zentropa, Som & Furia and Busca Vida Filmes. Petra completed her undergraduate studies Summa Cum Laude in Anthropology at Barnard College, Columbia University, New York. She did her Masters in Health, Community and Development at the London School of Economics, London. She has lived in Brazil for most of her life.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Petra Costa reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 6 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Documentary
The majority of Petra Costa's filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 83% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Petra Costa remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Edge of Democracy, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Petra Costa Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Petra Costa's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Petra Costa.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apocalypse in the Tropics | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | The Edge of Theocracy | Petra Costa | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2019 | The Edge of Democracy | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2017 | Life in Gray | Herself | Hit | Similar → |
| 2017 | Nobody's Watching | Petra | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | Elena | Self | Hit | Similar → |
Petra Costa - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Petra Costa?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Petra Costa is "The Edge of Democracy" with a rating of 7.7/10.
How many movies has Petra Costa acted in?
Petra Costa has been featured in at least 6 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Petra Costa?
Other notable films include "Apocalypse in the Tropics", "The Edge of Theocracy", and "Elena".