Leonor Teles was born in 1992, in Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal, to a family of gyspy origins by her father’s side. She studied Cinema at the Lisbon National Theatre and Film School, having specialized in Filmmaking and Cinematography.
Her first film, Rhoma Acans (2013), in which she addresses gypsy traditions, was presented and awarded at various film festivals, such as the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, IndieLisboa and Curtas Vila do Conde, among others.
In the short film Batrachian’s Ballad (2016), winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, the director focuses on a xenophobic, prejudiced and common behavior in Portugal, which consists of placing ceramic frogs at the entrance of commercial stores, to prevent gypsies from entering.
Her first feature film, Ashore (2018), premiered at the Cinéma du Réel International Film Festival, where it won the SCAM International Award, and at the Mar del Plata International Film Festival, where it was distinguished with the Young Critics Award – Best First Work.
Dogs Barking at Birds (2019), which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, introduces us to a family of gypsy origins, living in Porto, who is forced to abandon the house they live in in downtown, due to real estate speculation.
Currently, Leonor Teles continues to develop mainly documentaries’ related projects and is also working as a photography director.