Lílis Soares is a Brazilian Director of Photography, winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography at SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2023 and first woman to win Best Cinematography at FESPACO, 2023. She studied at the Institut International de l’Image et du Son in France, and Radio & TV at UFRJ. She has worked in Digital media, TV and Cinema across Brazil, France, Russia, Switzerland, Angola, Benin and Republic of Congo. She was the Director of Photography on the Nigerian black and white feature film “Mami Wata”, directed by C.J. Obasi, the Brazilian feature fictions “Um dia com Jerusa” and “Ó, paí, ó 2” directed by Viviane Ferreira, on “Nosso lar 2”, directed by Wagner de Assis, and on the feature documentary “Diálogos com Ruth de Souza” directed by Juliana Vicente. She was the main cinematographer on TV series “Amar é para os fortes” (Amazon), “Fim de comédia” and “Meninas do Benfica.” She also worked as camera operator on the feature film “Outono – um ano inesquecível” (Amazon), TV series “Sessão de Terapia” (Globoplay) and “Não foi minha culpa” (Disney). Lilis is also the winner of the 2020 Helena Ignez prize for her work in three movies including Mostra de Tiradentes.
