Vincent Carelli is a filmmaker and indigenist whose career spans over five decades of advocacy for Indigenous peoples in Brazil. Born in 1953 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, and raised in São Paulo, he studied Social Sciences before beginning his work as a photographer engaged with Indigenous communities. He later collaborated on publishing projects linked to Indigenous rights before turning to filmmaking as a tool for cultural and political expression.

In 1986, Carelli founded the NGO Vídeo nas Aldeias (Video in the Villages), an influential initiative that places audiovisual media in the service of Indigenous communities. The project has trained the first generations of Indigenous filmmakers in Brazil, offering workshops, equipment access, and distribution support. Over time, it has contributed to the production of more than 70 films created by members of over 15 Indigenous groups, strengthening self-representation and cultural preservation.

Alongside this work, Carelli has directed a significant body of documentaries focused on Indigenous history, identity, and resistance. Among his most recognized films are The Spirit of TV and Meeting Ancestors (A Arca dos Zo’é). His feature documentary Corumbiara (2009), which investigates the massacre of isolated Indigenous people in Rondônia, received major national and international awards. This film was followed by Martírio (2016) and Goodbye, Captain (Adeus, Capitão) (2022), completing a trilogy that examines the identity, culture, and ongoing struggles of Brazil’s Indigenous peoples.

Carelli’s contributions have been widely recognized, earning international recognition, including the UNESCO Cultural Diversity Award in 1999 and the Prince Claus Award in 2017. He lives and works in Olinda, Brazil.