Born in Tomar, Portugal and grew up in Mozambique. Studied Photography, Image and Communication at the António Arroio School of Arts, Lisbon. Worked for several years in France and Portugal, as photographer and assistant director. In 1995 she started directing her own films, exploring subjects which cross her personal history experiences and prominent issues in recent Portuguese history, such as, the colonial war in Africa, the revolution, and the post-colonialism years. The documentaries “Natal 71/Christmas 71” and “Kuxa Kanema -The Birth of Cinema “, and the feature films “The Murmuring Coast” and “Yvone Kane” are amongst her best known films.Her films where screened and award in many festivals, such as Rotterdam, Venice and Locarno. In 2005 received one of Portugal’s highest distinction – Commander of the Order of Prince Henry – for her contribution towards spreading Portuguese culture.

In 2015 the Dipartimento di Studi Letterari, Linguistici e Comparati – Università degli Studi Napoli L’Orientale, created the “Cátedra Margarida Cardoso” a center of creative practice and research inspired on her works.

FILMOGRAPHY

2017 – BANZO (em preparação)

2017 – CADERNO DE MEMÓRIAS COLONIAS (em preparação)

2016 – BOTANIC TALES, 90’ (em pós-produção)

2016 – A TUA VOZ, 56’

2015 – PARTIR DO ZERO, 26’

2014 – YVONE KANE, 117’

2014 – SEMPRE ESTIVEMOS AQUI, 10’

2013 – ATLAS, 10’

2012 – SOB OLHAR SILENCIOSO, 90’

2010 – LICINIO DE AZEVEDO, CRÓNICAS DE MOÇAMBIQUE, 94’

2008 – O CÓDIGO DA VIDA DE A. DE MONTROND, 10’

2007 – ERA PRECISO FAZER AS COISAS, 57’

2007 – A Batalha de Aljubarrota

2004 – A COSTA DOS MURMÚRIOS, 120’

2003 – KUXA KANEMA, O NASCIMENTO DO CINEMA, 52’

2001 – COM QUASE NADA, 52’ (co-realizado com Carlos Barroco)

2000 – NATAL 71, 52’

1998 – A TERRA VISTA DAS NUVENS- HISTÓRIA DO CINEMA PORTUGUÊS 86/98, 52’

1999 – ENTRE NÓS, 20’

1996 – DOIS DRAGÕES, 15’