Biography
Márcio D'Astrain was born on March 9, 1993, in Le Sentier, Switzerland. He is a Portuguese director, screenwriter, writer, and actor whose creative brilliance has left an indelible mark on the world of storytelling.
From an early age, he displayed an insatiable passion for the arts, a fire that only grew stronger when he moved to Pombal, Portugal, at the age of five. His artistic journey took flight during his school years at Instituto D. João V, where he not only acted but also wrote and directed theatrical productions. His play, The Werewolf King (2011), won Best Play at the XV Theater Festival of Pombal, an early testament to his storytelling prowess. His contributions to theater earned him an honorable mention, foreshadowing the cinematic genius that would later emerge.
In 2012, Márcio pursued Artistic Studies at the University of Lisbon, where he joined the renowned Grupo de Teatro de Letras (GTL) as a writer and producer. During this time, he honed his filmmaking skills while interning at Marginal Filmes, working alongside acclaimed director José Carlos de Oliveira.
His directorial debut came in 2020 with the gripping documentary Floripes (2020), which became a semifinalist at the New Cinema - Lisbon Film Festival. In the same year he also made a small contribution to the production of the film In Search of Darkness Part II: The Journey Into '80s Horror Continues (2020).
His next film, The Sound of the End (2021), stormed over ten international festivals, winning the Winter Award for Best Super Short Experimental Film at the Toronto Couch Film Festival.
Márcio's impact continued to grow with his 2022 film Saudade: The Lisbon I Never Knew (2022). Featuring the three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Tom Mustin and a soul-stirring soundtrack by Mara Nunes, the film earned multiple accolades, including Best Poster Design at the Focus International Film Festival and a Best Short Documentary nomination at the King's Cross Film Awards.
A true artistic polymath, Márcio ventured into the world of literature, proving that his storytelling transcends the screen. In 2023, he released the children's book "Serei a Vilã da Minha Própria História?" (Will I Be the Villain of My Own Story?), published by Cordel D'Prata. The book follows Bianca, a young witch, on a journey through the mystical village of Terrenho, challenging the notions of heroism and villainy.
In September 2024, Márcio D'Astrain, in collaboration with Motion Bloom Studios, conducted a photoshoot celebrating iconic witches from cinema and television - including characters from Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988), Hocus Pocus (1993), and Agatha All Along (2024).
On July 8, 2025, Márcio D'Astrain released his first book, The Acting Art of Cher: A Filmmaker's Critical Study of Cher's Screen Legacy, through Motion Bloom Studios(TM). Published on Amazon, the book quickly gained traction and, within its first 24 hours, reached the #1 spot on the Hot New Releases chart in Acting & Auditioning. A groundbreaking work of performance analysis, the book reframes Cher's screen career through a director's lens - combining cinematic detail, critical insight, and a deep respect for acting craft.
Márcio D'Astrain stands as a visionary in contemporary cinema and literature, a creator unbound by convention. His ability to weave narratives-whether through film, theater, or the written word-continues to captivate audiences worldwide. With a relentless drive for innovation and a deep love for storytelling, his legacy is only beginning to unfold. His journey is not just one of artistic success-it is a testament to the power of imagination, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of creative excellence.
