Created in 2017 to honor actor Nicolau Breyner (1940-2016), the Nico Awards aim to “recognize and encourage new talents in the national cinematographic landscape” and are presented “to professionals whose work stands out in an activity related to Portuguese cinema,” stated the APC in a communiqué.
The 2025 Nico Awards ceremony took place during the dinner commemorating the 14th anniversary of the Portuguese Academy of Cinema, held on Tuesday, in an evening dedicated to celebrating the 14 years of the Academy’s activities and recognizing new talents in Portuguese cinema.
Ada Costa, of Portuguese-Italian descent, was born in 2010 and gained recognition for her performance in the short film ‘À tona d’água’ (2022), directed by Alexander David.
Carolina Rosendo, born in Lisbon in 2001, debuted in directing with the short film ‘Iara’ (2021) at the Lisbon Theatre and Film School, where she pursued a degree in Cinema. Her work was selected for IndieLisboa 2022, where she returned the following year with the documentary ‘A obra’ (2022).
Diogo Fernandes made his professional debut in 2021, playing Andy in ‘Trouble,’ the first theater production by American director Gus Van Sant.
The actor, who began in theater at age 11 with the group O Bando, graduated in computer engineering and, after a stint in London, continued his training as an actor at the Lisbon Theatre and Film School, completing the Theater – Acting stream.
The Portuguese Academy of Cinema also awarded an honorable mention to director Tiago Roma Almeida.
