Maria Sarem is a Brazilian-born, mixed-race writer, director, and producer based in Vancouver. Drawing on her experiences living across Brazil, Japan, and Canada, she is interested in intimate, character-driven stories exploring identity, belonging, relationships, and the expectations we carry about ourselves and others.

Her short films have screened at festivals including the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival, Chilliwack Independent Film Festival, Couch Film Festival, and Queer Expression Film Fest. Her work has also received semi-finalist recognition at the Berlin Shorts Award and New York International Women Festival.

Before pursuing film, Maria studied biomedical engineering and completed a Master’s in Global Health in Japan. Her multidisciplinary background continues to shape her perspective and interests as a filmmaker.