On Behalf Of My Son, Gabriel Martins’ New Film, Has Been Selected For The Official Selection In Competition Of San Sebastián International Film Festival

São Paulo, August 14, 2026 - On Behalf of My Son , the new film by Minas Gerais-born director Gabriel Martins, has been selected for the 74th San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain, in the Official Selection (Sección Oficial) - the festival's competitive section featuring its main titles in competition. The film is running for the Golden Shell, the festival's top prize, which will take place from September 18 to 26. "I feel very honored to be part of such a prestigious and long-standing festival for the first time, especially as part of the official competition. I feel this will be another important step in the film's journey, elevating the work not only of our cast and crew, but also of Brazilian cinema," says Gabriel Martins, the film's director. The result of a partnership between Netflix and production company Filmes de Plástico, On Behalf of My Son tell the story of a mother who decides to seek out the families of the victims of a tragedy involving her son. In the film, Vicentina (Rejane Faria) must deal with the aftermath of her son Wesley's death in a bus accident in which he was the driver. As the investigation unfolds, evidence suggests that Wesley's action may have been intentional. Vicentina then embarks on a courageous journey to find the victims' families and apologize, while being forced to confront her own grief and deepest uncertainties. The film's selection in San Sebastián also marks another special moment for Brazilian cinema and, above all, for the director's home state. Set in Minas Gerais, where Gabriel Martins was born and raised, the film adds to a standout year for the state's film industry on the international festival circuit. "I also celebrate this selection as another achievement for cinema from Minas Gerais, which has been having a remarkable year in 2026, starting with the Berlin Film Festival. This makes me very happy for the local artists and excited about the next steps for this generation that I am part of." Directed and written by Gabriel Martins, from an original story by the filmmaker, On Behalf of My Son stars Rejane Faria in the lead role and features some of the most prominent names in Brazilian cinema, including Maíra Azevedo, Flavio Bauraqui, Giovanna Heliodoro, Giovanni Venturini, Grace Passô, Karine Teles, Renato Novaes, and Thalma de Freitas. On Behalf of My Son premieres in 2026. About On Behalf of My Son Synopsis: On a sunny morning in the city of Belo Horizonte, a crowded public bus makes its way downtown. As it crosses an overpass, the vehicle suddenly swerves, veers off the road, and crashes onto the avenue below. One passenger is left critically injured, while everyone else -- including Wesley, the driver -- is killed. The tragedy dominates television broadcasts and newspaper headlines across the country. Security cameras from both the bus and the roadway capture the moment of the crash, and after the footage is analyzed, speculation begins to spread that the driver may have acted intentionally. Vicentina, a 75-year-old retired schoolteacher and Wesley's mother, is devastated by the tragedy and uncertain of how to move forward. She decides to seek out the victims' families and apologize. The road ahead proves difficult to navigate, and the answers Vicentina longs for are not always the ones she finds. Director: Gabriel Martins Producer: Thiago Macêdo Correia Original Story: Gabriel Martins Screenplay: Gabriel Martins Music: Tiganá Santana Cinematography: Leonardo Feliciano Editing: Gabriel Martins, Thiago Ricarte Sound: Tiago Bello (Edição e Mixagem); Gustavo Fioravante (Gravação) Production Design: Rimenna Procópio Costume Design: Diana Moreira Special Effects: Rodrigo Jinks, Marcelo Cabral, Cajamanga, Quanta Production Company: Filmes de Plástico Cast: Rejane Faria (Vicentina); Maíra Azevedo (Joana); Renato Novaes (Wesley/Bruno); Giovanni Venturini (Fred); Giovanna Heliodoro (Gisele); Grace Passô (Isabel); Marisa Revert (Vera); Fernanda Vianna (Marta); Clébia Sousa (Solange); Fábio Leal (Victor); Docy Moreira (Marluce); Carlos Francisco (Antônio); Thalma de Freitas (Cleide); Flavio Bauraqui (Luiz); Bárbara Colen (Amélia); presenting Miguelzinho do Cavaco (Himself). About Netflix: Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services offering TV series, films, games and live programming across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time. About Filmes de Plástico Founded in 2009 by André Novais Oliveira, Gabriel Martins, Maurilio Martins, and Thiago Macêdo Correia, FILMES DE PLÁSTICO is one of Brazil's leading film production companies, recognized for films that portray Black and working-class communities with honesty and dignity. Its productions have been screened and awarded at major international festivals - such as Cannes, Berlin, Sundance, Locarno, and Rotterdam - and, in 2023, the company represented Brazil as the official submission for the 95th Academy Awards® with the film Mars One ( Marte Um ). In addition to developing its own projects locally, the production company also works to train and foster new talent within its community. Press Contacts Ágora Agency | [email protected]