Simão Cayatte

Simão Cayatte is a Portuguese filmmaker based in Lisbon.

He studied film at Columbia University in New York where he also trained in script development at Darren Aronofksy’s Protozoa Pictures and previously theatre at Goldsmiths University in London — his acting background strongly informs his screenwriting, having worked with directors such as Werner Schroeter, Carlos Marcet and Cristèle Meira.

His short films include A VIAGEM, premiered at Cannes Film Festival and MENINA, winner of the Portuguese Academy Award and selected by Les César Les Nuits en Or programme. His feature debut VADIO, co-produced with France and Poland was developed at LESS IS MORE 2017 and played and won awards at international festivals including São Paulo, Lisbon and Oslo. He has directed several TV series including VANDA (Berlinale Series Selects 2022) produced by Legendary and distributed by Lionsgate and Canal+. His latest film THE BOATMAN, produced by Leopardo Filmes is set for a 2026 release. Simão also works as a script consultant internationally and mentor through organisations such as Le Groupe Ouest.