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Honest stories, told with a quiet, watchful camera.

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By the River

Documentary Short · 2019 · Varanasi, India

By the River

Inside Varanasi's “death hotels,” where devout Hindus come to wait for the end — and for moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

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Park Benches

Short Film · Drama · 2025

Park Benches

Returning from a funeral, Toby and Sarah confront their past and their mortality when they return to their nearly empty apartment.

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The Lemming

Short Film · Drama · 2018

The Lemming

A young man revisits memories of a distant past, and is forced to confront his reality.

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Yamaha — Way Up x Rubin Henkel

Brand Film · Yamaha Music Europe · 2021

Yamaha Music

Pianist Rubin Henkel on tonality as colour and silence as canvas — a profile for Yamaha's Way Up series.

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The Postman

Music Video · Rubin Henkel · 2022

The Postman

With a haunted past, a man returns to a place of dear memories.

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Samira

Short Documentary · 2020

SAMIRA

Born and raised in Germany, Samira Prudentos reflects on being judged by her appearance while disconnected from her Caribbean side.

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A Mirror That Was Hidden

Short Film · Drama · 2018

A Mirror That Was Hidden

A woman, reminded of a buried trauma, must decide whether confronting her past is the only way forward.

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Dan Braga Ulvestad

About

Dan Braga Ulvestad

Dan is a Norwegian-Brazilian, Berlin-based film director & writer, emerging as a compelling storyteller with a nuanced sensibility for delicate subject matter that explores the intricacies of the human experience, through a crafted cinematic lens.

His work has garnered selections at several Oscar-qualifying film festivals, as well as received accolades with nominations at prestigious events like 1.4 and Berlin Commercial, Young Director Award, and screened at Camerimage. His work can also be found at renowned online platforms such as NOWNESS, Directors Library, and Directors Notes.

Press & Recognition

Directors Notes“Park Benches” — Article
1.4‘The Lemming’ — Longlist, 2022
San Rafael En Corto‘The Postman’ — Official Selection, 2022
DaVinci International Film Festival‘The Postman’ — Honorable Mention, 2022
SESIFF‘The Postman’ — Official Selection, 2022
Berlin Commercial‘The Postman’ — Best Music Video, Official Selection, 2022
Berlin Commercial‘The Postman’ — Craft: Direction, Shortlist, 2022
Berlin Commercial‘The Postman’ — New Generation, Shortlist, 2022
Berlin Commercial‘The Lemming’ — New Generation, Shortlist, 2022
1.4“Yamaha - Way Up” — Longlist, 2021
Berlin Commercial“Yamaha - Way Up” — Shortlist, 2021
Moscow Shorts“By the River” — Best Annual Documentary, 2021
NOWNESS Picks“By the River” shots“Yamaha - Way Up’”
Directors Library“Yamaha - ‘Way Up”
Booooooom TV“By the River”
shots“By the River” Directors Notes“By the River” — Article
1.4“SAMIRA” — Shortlist, 2020
Booooooom TV“SAMIRA”
Berlin Commercial“SAMIRA” — Shortlist, 2020
Musicbed Reopening Challenge“SAMIRA” — People’s Choice
kontrast Filmfest“By the River” — Official Selection, 2022
Psyche.co‘By the River’
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival“By the River” — Best Australian Director, 2020
Internationale Grenzland-Filmtage“By the River” — Official Selection
Energa CAMERIMAGE“By the River” — Official Selection, 2020
Young Directors Award“By the River” — Shortlist, 2020
Australian Cinematography Society“By the River” — Golden Tripod
ABC Australia Broadcast“By the River”
Golden Tree Doc Fest“By the River” — Official Selection, 2020
Nordic Docs“By the River” — Official Selection, 2020
UNAFF“By the River” — Official Selection, 2020
Docs MX“By the River” — Official Selection, 2020
Doc Edge Film Festival“By the River” — Official Selection, 2020
St. Kilda Film Festival“By the River” — Best Documentary Nomination, 2020
Oslo International Film Festival“By the River” — Silver for Editing, 2019
Jacksonville Film Festival“By the River” — Official Selection, 2021
Antenna Film Festival“By the River” — Official Selection, 2019
Moscow Shorts“A Mirror That Was Hidden” — Official Selection, 2020
Barrie Film Festival“A Mirror That Was Hidden” — Winner, 2020
Blacksphere Film Festival‘A Mirror That Was Hidden’ — Official Selection, 2020
NAIUFF‘A Mirror That Was Hidden’ — Official Selection, 2021
Adobe Design Achievement Awards“Blackshore” — Winner, 2015

Get in touch

dan@danbraga.com
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