Felipe Milanez is PhD candidate and junior researcher at Centro de Estudos Sociais of the University of Coimbra, Portugal. His current research focuses on violence, institutions and cultures in the Amazon. He holds a Master's degree in political science by the Université des Sciences Sociales Toulouse (final work mémoire about the French ecological movement and the association Plus Jamais Ça Ni Ici Ni Aileurs). He has worked as a specialized journalist in the Amazon for 7 years as editor of Brasil Indígena, the official magazine of Brazil's indian agency FUNAI, and as editor of National Geographic Brasil. He has also worked as an independent journalist, listening to the most vulnerable people of the forest and telling their stories, raising the public awareness about the reality of the Amazon and it's destruction.
He is author of articles in magazines such as National Geographic Brasil, Courrier International, Etiqueta Negra, Vice Magazine, CartaCapital, RollingStone, Valor Econômico, Gazeta Mercantil, GQ, Indian Country Today, on topics related to violence, genocide and illegal activities that threaten the Amazon rainforest and its traditional populations. He also co-authored the book Mata Atlântica, with the environmental photographer Araquém Alcantara. A second book titled Memórias Sertanistas: Cem Anos de Indigenismo no Brasil will be published next year by Sesc Editora.
As a documentary filmmaker, also working in the Amazon, Felipe has produced and directed the following films: Toxic Amazon (with VICE.com); Guarani Struggle; I Know What Awaits Me; Cocoa Production and Amazon Forest Conservation, Sounds Machines of the Amazon: Motherboard (with VICE.com). O Nascimento de Uma Nação (The Birth of a Nation) a new documentary about the Belo Monte dam, will be screened in March. Felipe Milanez was nominated one of Latin America's Forest Hero by the United Nations in 2012, a special award for the International Year of the Forests.
Watch Toxic Amazon:
