Ricky Mastro is a leading voice in Brazilian queer cinema. His journey began with a Drama degree from the University of Washington, followed by a Master’s degree in São Paulo, where he focused on LGBTQIA+ representation on screen. He later earned a Master’s degree from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Audiovisuel in Toulouse, France. Ricky has built an international career centered on authentic queer storytelling.

In Brazil, Ricky significantly contributed to LGBTQIA+ culture through his work with the MIXBrasil website, G Magazine, and by organizing electro music events celebrating queer identity. He has written and directed ten LGBTQIA+ short films, including a segment in Fucking Different São Paulo, which premiered at the Berlinale in 2010. His debut feature film, 7 Minutes (2020), was distributed worldwide, solidifying his place in global queer cinema.

Active on the international festival circuit, Ricky served on the jury for the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014. He was a key programmer for DIGO – Goiás International Festival of Sexual and Gender Diversity for nearly a decade and founded Recifest in Recife. In 2023, he launched Mostra Queer Brasil, an initiative showcasing Brazilian queer cinema globally, which debuted at Oslo/Fusion.

Currently, Ricky is developing two feature films, Giulia and Tarzan, along with Our Hood, a new series exploring queer youth in São Paulo’s nightlife, produced by Manjericão Filmes. Ricky remains committed to representation and visibility, creating meaningful spaces for queer stories to shine on screen.