Ryukyuan, Uchinaanchu, Brasileire, Okinawan, Amarela, Latine, pronouns she/they (ela/elu)
Born and raised in Guarulhos, Thaís is a daughter of the Ryukyuan/Okinawan diaspora in Latin America. Their research examines the sociopolitical history of the land now called Brazil, as well as patterns of migration to/from Latin America – grounded in subaltern positionalities and an anti-colonial, anti-imperialist praxis. Understanding themself as part of the Global Majority and as a queer person of color fighting for dignity and the right to reclaim memory, future, and justice, Thaís moves across visual arts practices: filmmaking, curatorial programs, and teaching.
She flows in, between, and beyond all these categories—learning and expanding with every encounter.
Based in Berlin and São Paulo
PT / EN / ES / ein bißchen Deutsch / リュウキュウ諸語、日本語（べんきょう中）
Photo by May Teston
EDUCATION
M.A. Visual and Media Anthropology – Freie Universität Berlin
B.A. Audiovisual Production – University of São Paulo
WORK
2025-present – KDMS Cinestash // Film Editor
2024-25 – CIRCLE Women Doc Accelerator (Serbia, Greece, Italy) // Project Assistant & Communication
2022-24 – SİNEMA TRANSTOPIA Berlin // Coordination, Communication & Curatorial
TEACHING
2026 – Guest Lecturer “Workshop: Visualizing Grief –A Radical Politics of Loss” // X-Tutorials “Grief & Society” (FU, HU Berlin)
2025-26 – Guest Lecturer “Diasporic Narratives: archives and affects through film and video” // M.A. Visual Anthropology (MU Berlin)
A note on work ethics, values and conduct
As a researcher of decolonial praxis, I’m very often much more interested in how one decides to conduct a project and establish connections with the ones involved rather than the final results.
Therefore, I am a professional who works with respect, kindness and transparency. I value the work and time of the ones I decide to collaborate with. Thus, I demand the same from the ones collaborating with me.
I do not tolerate any type of discrimination, harassment, exploitation and prejudice within my work relations. Please be also aware that I denominate myself as a queer person of color, migrant and latine in Berlin and I am part of different communities that still need to demand respect towards their existences. Please be mindful of who you are in this society, your positionality in this specific historical moment and space we share, the communities you are part of and interact with, and the privileges you take for granted.