Gabriel Domínguez

Biography

Gabriel Domingues is a rising star in the global film industry, credited with assembling the "living ecosystem" of actors that defines contemporary Brazilian cinema. He began his career at age 24 as a casting assistant for Kleber Mendonça Filho on the 2016 film Aquarius. His work is characterized by a "faces over fame" philosophy, blending established international stars like Wagner Moura and Udo Kier with local character actors and non-professionals to create a sense of hyper-realism. In 2025, Domingues achieved international acclaim for his work on The Secret Agent (O Agente Secreto). His ability to cast dozens of roles that evoke the specific "spirit and melancholy" of 1977 Brazil was a key factor in the film's success at the Cannes Film Festival. As of February 2026, he is a frontrunner for the Academy's newly established Casting category, making him one of the first South American casting directors to receive such high-level Oscar recognition.