About Us
Atalaia Films
Timeline
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Atalaia Films was founded in February 2011 by filmmaker Emerson Pinheiro, with a creative focus on producing films inspired by true stories, alongside original fiction, documentaries, and music videos.
Based in London, England, Atalaia Films is an independent production studio that has, to date, produced seven short films, three documentaries, one feature film, and three music videos.
The company’s debut feature film, Spiritual Contact, was produced on a micro-budget of £6,000. Development began in August 2008, with principal production and post-production completed in 2013.
2013–2015
The year 2013 marked a significant milestone for Atalaia Films with the official release of its first short film Spiritual Contact, alongside the production of several short films and music videos. Spiritual Contact premiered in January 2013 at the Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley, London. In September of the same year, the film was screened at the Portobello Film Festival in London. Following this, Atalaia Films’ projects were selected and screened at multiple international film festivals worldwide.
2016–2018
From 2016 onwards, Atalaia Films expanded into international productions. During this period, two documentaries focusing on Brazilian martial arts were produced abroad, with filming taking place in Alicante, Spain (2016), Santa Marta, Colombia, and Cheltenham, England (2018).
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The Team
The People of Atalaia Films
Emerson Pinheiro
Emerson Pinheiro is a Multidisciplinary Artist and International Independent Filmmaker, working as a Film Director, Actor, and Supporting Artist, with extensive experience in Martial Arts.
He began his artistic training at the age of 10, studying drama and 11 he start training "Capoeira" in Brazil, where he developed a strong foundation in performance and storytelling. In 2004, Emerson relocated to London, England, to further pursue his creative career. In early 2007, he participated in the BBC Manchester–produced game show Strangers, marking his first involvement with British television. That same year, he continued his formal training by enrolling in drama studies in Central London.
Emerson trained several pupils to a high level in Brazil from 2000 - 2004, also in London from 2004 - 2008. From 2008 onward, he shifted his focus toward cinema, dedicating himself to screenwriting and film production. His debut screenplay was the paranormal Short Film Spiritual Contact: The Movie. In 2011, he founded his Independent Production Company called Atalaia Films, through which he has written, directed, and performed in his own projects.
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Since establishing Atalaia Films, Emerson has collaborated with a wide range of film studios and creatives, contributing as a director, actor, and supporting artist across short films, music videos, commercials, feature films, documentaries, and television series. His work reflects a versatile artistic profile, combining cinematic vision, performance expertise, and disciplined martial arts training.
