João Botelho


João Manuel Relvas Leopoldo Botelho is a Portuguese film director.
He has directed and written the screenplays of numerous films. His films have won several awards. His works have been nominated for the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion.
Botelho was awarded the prestigious Ordem do Infante D.Henrique, one of the highest Portuguese honors, by President Jorge Sampaio on 10 June 2005.

Early years

Botelho was born in Lamego, northern Portugal. He enrolled in mechanical engineering at the University of Coimbra and in cinema at the Lisbon Theatre and Film School, in 1974, dropping out in both cases. He has worked as a graphic artist. His first cinematographic works were O Alto do Cobre and Um Projecto de Educação Popular, both in 1976.

Awards

Several nominations and awards in the Venice Film Festival:

Special participations in festivals

Filmography

The following films were directed by Botelho. For all except Um Projecto De Educação Popular, O Alto Do Cobre, No Dia Dos Meus Anos, 13 Filmes X 3, As Mãos E As Pedras, and Viagem Ao Coração Do Douro, A Terra Onde Nasci, he also wrote the screenplay.