Photographer, producer and director. Spent around ten years photographing Jardim Gramacho, a landfill in the city of Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro. The work led to the making of the book Jardim Gramacho, and later the feature film Estamira, in 2004, his directing debut. The film earned him best documentary film prizes at the Rio Film Festival, the São Paulo International Film Festival, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and the Marseille International Documentary Film Festival. In 1997, with José Padilha, he founded the production company Zazen, which made successful films and documentaries like Tropa de Elite, from 2007; Tropa de Elite 2, from 2010; and Ônibus 174, from 2002. He is also the author of the book Os Carvoeiros, adapted to film in 1999 by the British filmmaker Nigel Noble. He often approaches social issues, always tackled from the subjective perspectives of characters. This relates to his preference by portraits as a photographer. Lives and works in Rio de Janeiro.