Branded entertainment production company Gloria Content–which maintains bases of operation in Los Angeles and Mexico City–has signed Brazilian-American director Gandja Monteiro for commercials and branded content in the U.S. She joins a directorial roster which includes company co-founder Diego Luna, Jonas Cuaron, Rodrigo Valdez and Rogelio Sikander. Gloria was launched by Luna along with executive producers Pablo Cruz and Eric Bonniot in 2015.
A world traveler with a wide breadth of cultural understanding, Monteiro fuses diverse global perspectives with compelling narratives that resonate with audiences. Her stylized approach can be seen in spots and branded content spanning such clients as AT&T, Smirnoff, MasterCard and Nike in the U.S. market, and global/international fare for Coca-Cola and Chevrolet.
Most recently, Monteiro was accepted into the highly competitive American Film Institute (AFI) Directing Workshop for Women and is currently working on a female-led sci-fi short that will debut at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles. Her narrative short Almost Every Day garnered international visibility in festivals such as Tribeca and Palm Springs Film Festival, and went on to be shortlisted for the Academy Awards®. She has also directed an hour-long episode for HBO’s documentary series Youth, produced by Prodigo Films. Prior to coming to Gloria, Monteiro was represented by Hungry Man, Zola Films and Prodigo Films internationally. The director had been working independently in the U.S. where she wasn’t officially repped by any company prior to joining Gloria.
Monteiro graduated with a film degree from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, but had been immersed in the arts from an early age while attending Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Performing Arts. With an NYC upbringing, her creative surroundings and influences–including her family–helped steer her toward a career behind the camera. Monteiro is bicoastal, splitting most of her time between Los Angeles and NYC.
