TV Globo's 'Terceirão' Documentary Wins Gabo Award for Young Brazilians' High School Journey
The TV Globo documentary 'Terceirão – Um ano, quatro vidas' has won the 2026 Gabo Award in the Image category, a prestigious honor in Spanish and Portuguese journalism. Directed by Eliane Scardovelli and Caio Cavechini, the film chronicles one academic year in the lives of four Brazilian teenagers as they navigate the end of high school and the crucial decisions about their futures. The documentary captures their experiences with academic pressure, mental health challenges, societal inequality, and family dynamics. The four protagonists represent diverse backgrounds: Luiza, a scholarship student in São Paulo aiming for law school, faces a brain tumor diagnosis before her university entrance exams. Manoela, from Belo Horizonte, who has been accepted into medical school, contemplates the pressures of intense competition. Micael, from rural Ceará, balances work and study to support his family while considering higher education. Bianca, from Capão Redondo, São Paulo, aspires to become a psychologist and is working on reconciling with her mother. The Gabo Foundation highlighted the film's focus on the students' transition into adulthood. Directors Scardovelli and Cavechini emphasized their observational approach, capturing spontaneous moments that reveal the adolescents' transformations, joys, and sorrows. They noted that the project evolved beyond just the stress of university entrance exams to encompass a broader spectrum of life-changing experiences during this pivotal year. Brazil was the most awarded country in this edition, securing three of the five prizes, including 'Terceirão.'
This documentary offers a poignant look at the complex transition from adolescence to adulthood, highlighting the multifaceted pressures faced by young Brazilians. The film's recognition by the Gabo Award underscores the power of observational storytelling in capturing authentic human experiences. By focusing on individual narratives amidst systemic challenges like inequality and mental health, 'Terceirão' prompts reflection on educational systems' capacity to support diverse student needs and aspirations. The award also signifies a broader trend of Latin American journalism gaining international acclaim for its depth and relevance. Future analyses might explore how such narratives influence public discourse on youth development, educational policy, and mental healthcare access in Brazil and beyond, particularly in the context of evolving societal expectations and technological advancements impacting this demographic.
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