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Photo Jady Martins
Arthur Lopes is an award-winning Film Director, Producer, and Editor whose work has garnered international acclaim.
His most recent feature documentary, Freya: Beyond the Mat (2025), has received international recognition, winning Best Documentary Feature at the West London Film Festival, Oxford International Film Festival, New York International Film Awards, and the 17th Underground Cinema Film Awards in Ireland.
Previously, his short film Little Dream Boy (2023) was named Best Children's Short of the Year and earned him a Best Director nomination at the IndieX Film Fest in Los Angeles.
His debut documentary Libre: A Celebration of the Queer Body (2021) earned multiple international awards, including Best Film, Best Documentary, and Best Director, and was officially selected for the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival in Ireland, along with more than ten additional international film festivals.
Arthur holds dual degrees in Marketing & Advertising and Film & Television Production, as well as a Master's degree in Documentary Practice from Dublin City University, bringing a unique balance of creative storytelling, academic expertise, and strategic vision to his work. bringing a unique balance of creative storytelling and strategic vision to his work. His films have been showcased at festivals in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Prague, India, Germany, Cannes, London, Oxford, and across Ireland.
Beyond his independent filmmaking, Arthur worked as Production Manager on Bagatelle: Ómós do Liam Reilly (2022), a documentary produced for Irish broadcaster TG4 that was nominated for Best Factual Entertainment at the Royal Television Society Awards. He also worked on RTÉ's Mustard (2022), which won Best Comedy as part of the Storyland series.
Selected Filmography
Documentary following Freya’s journey, a 10-year-old jiu-jitsu athlete, over the course of one year of relentless training, challenges, and triumphs. It was filmed across five countries and four continents and is currently screening in festivals.
Short film about a little boy who, driven by his imagination, dreams of seeing the ocean for the first time.
It celebrates the power of childhood imagination and the agency of children, showing that their dreams are valid and transformative. Through Oliver’s journey, the film explores discovery, curiosity, and the courage to venture beyond familiar horizons, reminding us of the boundless potential within every child.
A documentary following Irish photographer Fred Kelly on his journey to America, in pursuit of the perfect shot of the fleeting totality eclipse. A Jungle House Production in association with Raw Dublin.
Commissioned by TG4, this programme pays tribute to the late Liam Reilly, lead singer of Bagatelle. It features powerful performances of the band’s music by Camille O’Sullivan, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Lucia Evans, Tommy Fleming, The High Kings, Ryan McMullan, Brian Kennedy, and Greenshine. Broadcasted at RTÉ on new years eve 2022, nominated Best Factual Entertainment at the Royal Television Society.
Commissioned by RTÉ, the story follows the protagonist, Eilis, who develops a harmful addiction to mustard during a period of heartbreak. Using food and obsession as metaphor, the drama portrays deeper struggles with mental health and self-harm. Broadcasted at RTÉ and available at RTÉ Player. Won Best Comedy at the Prague Film Festival.
A short documentary that follows a photoshoot with four queer individuals, exploring their personal journeys and celebrating their bodies, while highlighting the struggles and triumphs of body image within the queer community. The film was showcased at the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival in 2022.
It won Best Documentary Short at the Prague International Indie Film Festival 2021, Best Film at the LGBTQ+ Toronto Film Festival 2021, and Best LGBTQ Documentary at Venice Shorts 2021, among other selections.
For a deeper understanding of the film's impact, you can read the article "Bodies In Motion" in GCN Magazine, which discusses the emotional journey of creating 'Libre'.
Short film about a young teenager, Jordan, who decides to leave home after having a conflict with his mum. Being out wandering with too much time on his hands, he encountered an old man, Bernard, in a failed mugging. Jordan begins to rethink all the decisions that led him to where he is now.
Nominated Best Short Film in the SMEDIAS 2022.
Short film about Thomas who, on a walk to the grocery store, rediscovers his late wife’s telescope in an antique shop window, turning it into his sole companion and life’s quiet focus. The film won Gold for Best Drama Short, Best First Time Director, and Silver for Best Actor at the Independent Shorts Awards.
This short film tells the story of a widowed woman clinging to her husband’s memory in her countryside cottage. It was showcased at the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival, Student Frame, 2022.