João Rui Guerra da Mata
Directing
João Rui Guerra da Mata was born in Lourenço Marques, Mozambique. He teached Art Direction at the Lisbon Film School from 2004 to 2011. In 1997 he co-starred in the short PARABÉNS!, directed by João Pedro Rodrigues, that won the Special Jury Mention at the 54th Mostra di Venezia. As an Art Director, he worked in several features and shorts, notably the ones directed by João Pedro Rodrigues, whose films he also co-scripted. This collaboration lately evolved to co-direction, namely in the shorts CHINA, CHINA (2007) – 39th Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes; Best Short Film and Audience Award, Belfort Film Festival and ALVORADA VERMELHA (2011) – Best Portuguese Short Film, IndieLisboa Film Festival; international premiere at Locarno Film Festival. O QUE ARDE CURA (2012) is his debut solo film.
Known for
Directing10
movie13 Alfinetes
2025
Director
movieA Room in Town
2021
Director
movieIEC Long
2015
Director
movieMahjong
2013
Director
movieThe King's Body
2012
Assistant Director
movieAs the Flames Rose
2012
Director
movieRed Dawn
2011
Director
movieChina, China
2007
Director
Art12
movieWill-o'-the-Wisp
2022
Production Design
movieThe Ornithologist
2016
Art Direction
movieGoodnight Cinderella
2014
Art Direction
movieMahjong
2013
Art Direction
movieMorning of Saint Anthony's Day
2012
Art Direction
movieSide Effects
2011
Art Direction
movieTo Die Like a Man
2009
Art Direction
movieChina, China
2007
Art Direction
movieTwo Drifters
2005
Set Decoration
movieThe Girl in the Mirror
2004
Art Direction
movieO Fantasma
2000
Production Design
Afonso's Smile
Production Design
Writing10
movie13 Alfinetes
2025
Screenplay
movieThe Ornithologist
2016
Screenplay
movieIEC Long
2015
Screenplay
movieMahjong
2013
Screenplay
movieThe Last Time I Saw Macao
2013
Screenplay
movieRed Dawn
2011
Writer
movieChina, China
2007
Writer
Acting9
Camera3
movieIEC Long
2015
Director of Photography
movieThe Last Time I Saw Macao
2013
Director of Photography
movieRed Dawn
2011
Director of Photography
Costume & Make-Up3
movieTwo Drifters
2005
Costume Design
movieO Fantasma
2000
Costume Design, Makeup Artist
movieHaircut
1996
Costume Design
Editing3
Crew1
movieWhere Do You Stand Now, João Pedro Rodrigues?
2016
Cinematography
Production1
movieHappy Birthday!
1997
Production Assistant