Gavião Kyikatejê F.C. - Brazil’s First Indigenous Soccer Team

Co-created and directed by Luiz Whately, the film portrays the trajectory of Brazil’s first indigenous soccer team. Shot on 16mm film in the state of Pará, the project premiered on national television and featured a PR strategy that directly contributed to the team securing its first sponsorships.

The campaign launched nationwide on February 7, National Indigenous Peoples’ Struggle Day.

—— ABOUT ——

This film tells the story of the Gavião people, an Indigenous group in Brazil that, like many others, faces deep-rooted prejudice. A prejudice that dates back to colonization and still affects Indigenous communities today.

But this story isn’t just about struggle—it’s about resilience, culture, resistance, and social awareness. The Gavião Kiykatejê has found in football a way to spread their message, to show the world that Indigenous peoples are still here, standing strong, on and off the field.

With sponsorship, this team can reach the top tier of Brazilian football. And when that happens, the voice of the Gavião people will echo even louder, across the country and beyond.

—— AWARDS ——

​Cannes Lions 2025
GOLD LION – Entertainment for Sport: Film Series and Audio
SILVER LION – Entertainment for Sport: Diversity & Inclusion
3× SHORTLIST – including Film Lions

—— CREDITS ——

Directed by Luiz Whately

Agency: AREA 23 - An IPG Health Company
Creative Team: Victor Toyofuku, Henrique Louzada, Yohannã Ioshua, Lucas Pimenta

Production Company: Balma Films

Executive Director: Thiago Balma
Executive Producer: Niry Usha
Director: Luiz Whately
​Indigenous Consultant: Karina Puri​

Strategic Planning: Rafael Della Rosa
Head of Production: Juliana Sigolo
Production Assistant: Marina Rohnik
Director of Photography: Caio Humb
Camera Assistant: Daniel Oliveira

2nd Unit Camera & Still Photography: Madson Kokinire

Post-Production Supervisor: Felipe Andriolo
Compositing: Francinaldo Lemos
3D & Motion: Guilherme Mourão
Motion: Lucas Pimenta
Colorist: Acauan Pastore
Editor: Luiz Whately

Animation Production Company: Dirty Work
Executive Producer: Ito Andery
Account Manager: Larissa Virco
Directors: Gustavo Leal, Faga Melo
Head of Production: Jéssica Sales
Line Producer: Felipe A. F. Moreira
Storyboard: Felms
Animatic: Jefferson Lima
Art Direction: Felms
Illustration: Felms
Paintings: Thiago Biazzoto, Gustavo Leal, Carol Guimarães
Typography: Gustavo Leal, Felms
Animation Direction: Jefferson Lima
Traditional Animation: Jefferson Lima, Felms, Robson Medeiros, João Maurício, Geovani Ângelo, Bruno Leal, Gustavo Pereira, Lucas Moraes
Cleanup: Julia Balthazar, Danilo Cheng, Alan Valentim, Ana Carolina Couto, Rafaela Gomes, Bruno Leal, Daiane Mateus
Compositing: Caique Moretto, Pedro Fernandes (oito:olhos), Christopher Rocha (oito:olhos)

Case Film: Flavor

Sound Production Company: Bumblebeat
Music Direction: Lucas Sfair, Henrique Tanji
Production Coordination: Luisa Hackett
Music Supervision: Bumblebeat Team
Music Production & Final Mix: Bumblebeat Team
Sound Design: Pedro Osinski

Content: Ludmilla Florencio

Poster: Felms

Still Photography: Edu Pimenta
Digital Artist: Moreira Studio

Digital Review: Giba Zurita

Interviews: Liga Pesquisa
Coordination, Moderation & Analysis: Amanda Oliveira
Analysis: Alice Neves, Cláudio Queiroz

Collaboration:
Mauro Beting
André Henning

Pepkrakte Jakukreikapiti Ronore Konxarti
Apreire Joxatkrare Kwynkaprekre
Renato Sisdaze Xerente
Arikikrire Prykapare da Silva
Prykapare Horakraktare Topramti
Kukakrykre Jujamarkra Kwypamtare
Kupemakakokpeiti Jujamarkra Kwypamtare
Kawany Amjikinpramre Haraxare Sompre
Hakakwyi Lima Haraxare
Ainoa Amjijakrityire Sompre Pepkrakte
Hakakwyinaypare Atomre Kokinire
Kokinire Lima Haraxare
Max Mello Gonçalves
Jõxarati Zawxiáí dos Santos Gavião
Antonio Dawti dos Santos Farias
Kuktykti Jokakure Haraxare
Nakoti Aru Waykanosen Haraxare Sompre
Hakakwyi Lima Haraxare
Krakakreti Turakire Toramti
Mpotoamjinareti Jokakure Haraxare
Krepramti Mpokinti Mulato Gavião
Pehenapy Pempti Pepkwyiti
Jossiel Temassari Karajá
Japentayareti Tohar Jukaprire
Tohar Kwynka Prekre Jonxakrare

Daniel Venosa
Sthefano Duque