Festival Programme (English)

Headline In-Conversation

The MenCare Festival opens with an unforgettable celebration of connection, courage, and care. The With One Voice, Homeless Choir of Rio lifts the room with songs of resilience, setting the stage for a powerful conversation between Equimundo and WOW founders Gary Barker and Jude Kelly. They’ll be joined by special guests including activist Kamila Camillo and Miguel (Crias do Tijolinho), a young changemaker from Maré whose journey from the favela to COP30, where he recently met Prince William, inspires us all; to WOW CEO Colette Bailey. Together they’ll explore what it means to grow, lead, and reimagine masculinity and boyhood with empathy and hope in this joyful start to the festival.

Led by Gary Barker and Jude Kelly CBE

Confirmed speakers include: Miguel dos santos Lourenço da Silva and Kamila Camillo from Crias Do Tijolinho, Colette Bailey and Diana Rodriguez Franco

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Note: this event is not part of the public festival ticket – by invitation only

Walking Tour

(maximum 20 participants per group)

This guided walking tour brings Rio’s hidden history to life, tracing the African diaspora, the roots of Brazilian society and the cultural legacy of the Port Region through powerful archaeological sites and living memory. You’ll explore key locations from the African Heritage Circuit, alongside additional historic points that deepen the story, turning the streets into an open-air classroom in an immersive journey through memory, resistance, culture and identity.

Led by: Conectando Territórios (Thays)

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation – both tours are open to Portuguese and English speakers

Film screening

Join us for this 90-minute documentary screening (in Portuguese with subtitles), offering a powerful and personal look at young men’s experiences and perspectives.

The film will be followed by a conversation with Guilherme Valadares, Co-founder and Director of PDH, alongside Anderson Diniz, one of the young men featured in the documentary – bringing the story beyond the screen and into a candid, live discussion.

Speakers include: Guilherme Nascimento-Valadares and Anderson Diniz

Portuguese only

Panel Discussion

Violence in Brazil runs deep, touching every part of society, but as we saw in Rio's deadliest attack in October 2025, its weight falls heaviest on Black men and boys in the favelas. From police raids to social neglect, men and boys in the favelas face a daily battle against a system that criminalises their existence. This violence isn’t just physical; it’s structural and psychological, rooted in centuries of racism and inequality. It shapes futures, fractures families, and erases potential. Yet, within these same communities, there is strength, creativity, community care and resistance that refuse to be silenced. 

Join us for a powerful conversation with the people at the forefront of this work.

Confirmed speakers include: Orlando Zaccone, Irone Santiago, Luiz Eduardo Soares

Chair: Andreza Jorge

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion

When money, work and security become uncertain, so does identity. In a world that still ties masculinity to success and providing, the pressure to “make it” can feel overwhelming. This session explores how economic instability is reshaping what it means to be a man, revealing a crisis rooted not in individual failure, but in deep structural change, and opening up new possibilities for care, resilience and redefinition.

Confirmed speakers: Freddie Feltham, Selen Okay Akçalı and Leonardo Piamonte

Chair: Jude Kelly 

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion

Join us for a lively look at how Dads show up – from devoted penguins and nurturing seahorses to human fathers juggling bedtime and beyond! Blending fascinating animal insights with cutting-edge science from Yale professors, this session explores how men’s brains and bodies are shaped for care, connection, and protection, and how fatherhood transforms not just children, but men, families, and communities.

Confirmed speakers: Prof. Sarah Hrdy, Prof. Eduardo Fernández Duque, Prof. Lee Gettler

Chair: José Campi Portaluppi

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Workshop for children and young people

Why are we still taught to hold back tears and what does it cost? Around the world, “crocodile tears” describes insincere emotion, but what happens when real feelings are dismissed the same way? What happens when we project cultural meaning onto a natural response?

This interactive, artist-led workshop challenges the stigma around physiological emotion creating a space to explore vulnerability, empathy, and authentic expression. Through storytelling, reflection, and hands-on creative exercises using comic-style formats, participants will share experiences of crying and create their own visual narratives that explore how crying is felt, understood and represented.

Led by artist Juca Fiis

Portuguese only: Please note this session will not have translation to English available

Workshop

Join us for an honest, open conversation for men from all backgrounds to talk about the real impact of personal, financial, and professional loss. This facilitated roundtable discussion gives space to talk about how setbacks affect confidence, identity, and feelings of self-worth. Through open discussion and shared stories, men explore practical ways to navigate hardship, find resilience, and reconnect with purpose.

The session will be led by Renato Noguera, a philosopher, professor, and leading voice in the fields of race relations, masculinities, and education, bringing a critical and thoughtful perspective to the topic.

Led by: Renato Noguera

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion

Take a deep dive into how the digital world shapes what we see, feel, and believe every day and explore both the risks and possibilities for care and connection online. This session unpacks how algorithms and games capture our focus, influence behaviour and friendships, and can quietly steer everything from our moods to our motivations – both good and bad. Through real examples and open discussion, we’ll explore why certain content hooks us, how attention becomes profit, and what it means for our societal and individual well being when social media, gaming, pornography and other digital environments shape our behaviour, identity, and belonging.

Confirmed Speakers: Ana D'Utra Vaz, Galen Lamphere- Englund, Weszt Hart, Caroline Hayes

Chair: Marija Manojlovic

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Workshop

A high-energy celebration of Passinho, the explosive street dance born in Rio’s favelas, where rhythm, creativity, and community spark cultural movements that influence Brazil and the world. More than just homes, these neighbourhoods are powerful incubators of music, dance, and style. Led by Imperadores da Dança (The Dance Emperors) – widely recognised as the first Passinho family,  representing Rio's funk culture in projects, battles, festivals, and workshops both in Brazil and abroad. This session is one to get you moving!

Open to all ages, all genders, and all bodies.

Led by: Imperadores da Dança (The Dance Emperors).  The workshop is led by Iguinho Imperador, leader and founder of the group, dancer, MC and teacher.

Workshop

Join us to learn how to care for your child’s hair, try out simple styles, and pick up skills that make mornings easier and relationships stronger. From brushing, to plaits and basic styles, it’s about care, patience, and showing up in everyday ways. You can also try your hand at crochet in this creative corner of the MAR courtyard.

Led by: Felipe Salsa and Samuel Ramos

Portuguese only: Please note this session will not have translation to English available

Headline In Conversation

Join two global musicians – one from Brazil, one from the UK – as they explore how men in music are redefining influence, care and connection. From the studio to the stage, they’ll share insights on challenging industry norms, supporting collaboration, and using their platforms to foster a more inclusive, compassionate, and creative world in this headline conversation.

Confirmed speakers: Baco Exu do Blues and Jordan Stephens

Chair: Gary Barker

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion

Dive into The State of the World’s Fathers report, 2026 and uncover what fatherhood really looks like today. Explore the latest insights on men’s roles in families, caregiving, mental health, and relationships, and hear what’s shaping fathers’ lives across the globe. Through discussion with the experts who commissioned and wrote the report, this session highlights both challenges and opportunities, revealing practical ways to support engaged, resilient, and connected fathers and the communities they help nurture.

Confirmed speakers: Suna Hannoz Penney, Marcos Nascimento, Delfina Schenone, Sean Cooke, Francsico Aguayo, Tatiana Moura, Anamarija Soco and Taveeshi Gupta

Chair: Kate Mangino 

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Workshop

Feel the pulse of Brazil in this immersive drumming workshop, rooted in rich Afro-Brazilian traditions. Through rhythm, movement, and storytelling, discover how Brazilian drumming becomes a powerful form of emotional and collective expression.

Guided by experienced facilitators, you’ll learn the beats, connect with the energy, and experience how rhythm brings people together. 

Led by: Rodrigo Maré and Ana Paula Cruz

Portuguese only: Please note this session will not have translation to English available

Workshop

Experience capoeira as a powerful expression of ancestry, resistance, and care. Rooted in Afro-Brazilian history, this dynamic performance blends movement, music and rhythm to tell stories of survival and strength. Reframing masculinity through discipline, respect, and connection, capoeira becomes a non-violent language of care, where bodies move in dialogue, not domination.

Open to all ages, all genders, and all bodies.

Led by: Kilombarte with Mestre Paulo Kikongo 

Portuguese only: Please note this session will not have translation to English available

Workshop

Exploring what it means for men and boys to show care – for themselves, others, and their communities. Just like physical strength, care is a muscle that grows with use.  In this session, we’ll explore how sport and mentorship build care, discipline and community and why these traits are powerful.

Led by: Jorge Magnun, Roberto Custódio and Rogério Brunelli of Luta Pela Paz / Fight for Peace

Portuguese only: Please note this session will not have translation to English available

Panel Discussion

This session looks at how ideas of masculinity and gender shape the way we respond to the climate crisis and the urgent challenges facing our cities. We’ll examine how we can lead with care and responsibility, how communities adapt to environmental pressures, and how artists transform urban spaces into powerful expressions of climate action and social change. It’s a conversation about building cities and futures, where creativity, care, and collective responsibility help us tackle the climate emergency together.

Confirmed speakers: Ailton Krenak, Holly Milburn-Smith, Nancy Pierorazio

Chair: Wessel Van der Berg

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion / Workshop

Step into the world of storytelling with a powerhouse line-up of global voices, from the creator behind Dreaming Whilst Black and the director of How to Catch a Tiger. Spanning comedy, drama, and documentary, this session explores how ideas are crafted and carried across cultures, from first spark to stories that travel the world.

Through behind-the-scenes insights and real examples, we’ll dive into how storytelling can drive global change: challenging stereotypes, reshaping narratives around men and masculinity, and opening up space for joy, vulnerability, and truth. Expect a lively, thought-provoking conversation about the power of stories not just to entertain, but to connect, shift perspectives, and move the world forward.

Speakers include: Adjani Salmon, Nisha Pahuja 

Chair: Colette Bailey

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Headline In Conversation / Panel Discussion

What responsibility and power does the media have to shape social change and ideas around masculinity? Bringing together leading voices from journalism, entertainment and sport, we’ll explore how footballers, actors and other public figures can be role models – challenging stereotypes and redefining what it means to be a man. Through discussion and examples, we’ll highlight the trailblazers who are using their platforms to promote care, dignity, and responsibility, showing how media and high-profile figures can inspire a more inclusive, thoughtful, and connected culture

Confirmed Speakers: Jonas Maria, Ashley Kolaya, Ana Paula Brasil

Chair: Jess Morales Rocketto

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Headline In Conversation / Panel Discussion

Explore how faith shapes masculinity in this dynamic session on religion and identity. Drawing on different traditions, we unpack the powerful ways beliefs can define and confine gender. Together, we examine how faith intersects with politics, culture, and inclusion, and how religious narratives can both uphold and challenge harmful gender norms. Through open, critical discussion, we ask: Is leaving religion the only path for men seeking healthier masculinities? Or can faith itself offer tools for transformation? Join us as we reimagine what inclusive, compassionate, and liberating spiritual life could look like.

Confirmed Speakers: Padre Júlio Lancellotti, Ivanir dos Santos, Henrique Vieira

Chair: Marcos Nascimento

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion

Join the Nordic Council and friends for an insightful session exploring how paternity leave is evolving across the globe and why it matters more than ever. Drawing on everything from the Nordic region’s long-standing leadership in gender equality and family policy and Lula's recent policy change in Brazil, this discussion will offer a comparative look at how different countries are reshaping the role of fathers in early childcare and what best practice could look like and why it matters to us all. Because when parents are supported, families thrive, workplaces strengthen and societies become more equal.

Confirmed speakers: Camilla Bruzzi, Morten N Christiansen and Andreas Lunn

Chair: Georgie Dent

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Workshop for adults

Why are we still taught to hold back tears and what does it cost? Around the world, “crocodile tears” describes insincere emotion, but what happens when real feelings are dismissed the same way? What happens when we project cultural meaning onto a natural response?

This interactive, artist-led workshop challenges the stigma around physiological emotion creating a space to explore vulnerability, empathy, and authentic expression. Through storytelling, reflection, and hands-on creative exercises using comic-style formats, participants will share experiences of crying and create their own visual narratives that explore how crying is felt, understood and represented.

Led by artist Juca Fiis

Portuguese only: Please note this session will not have translation to English available

Panel Discussion

This session takes a deep look at the joys, challenges, and transformative power of fatherhood. From grappling with absence, incarceration, and inequality to celebrating moments of care, presence, and connection, we’ll explore how fathers shape the lives of their children and communities. Through inspiring stories and open conversation, this session highlights the ways men can become powerful agents of change, not just in families, but in creating stronger, more resilient, and more caring communities for everyone.

Confirmed Speakers: Tiago Koch, All.iceee, Ted Bunch

Chair: Leonardo Piamonte 

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion

Around the world, too few countries have policies that value care while actively including men as decision-makers and caregivers. This session explores how more gender-equal spaces for men in leadership from parliamentary care caucuses to workplace structures , can reshape what care policy looks like in practice. Join global champions of change as they examine best practice, colleague interactions, and global policy frameworks that reinforce or challenge traditional norms. Together, we’ll explore how men can be allies, leaders, and caregivers, creating cultures of inclusion, empathy, and sustainable social impact that benefit us all.

Confirmed Speakers: Bia Pacheco, Ana Moreno, Alex Lloyd Hunter

Mediação: José Campi-Portaluppi

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Walking Tour

(maximum 20 participants per group)

This guided walking tour brings Rio’s hidden history to life, tracing the African diaspora, the roots of Brazilian society and the cultural legacy of the Port Region through powerful archaeological sites and living memory. You’ll explore key locations from the African Heritage Circuit, alongside additional historic points that deepen the story, turning the streets into an open-air classroom in an immersive journey through memory, resistance, culture and identity.

Led by: Conectando Territórios (Thays)

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation – both tours are open to Portuguese and English speakers

Performance

Join us for a poetry slam bursting with rhythm and unstoppable energy. Expect big vibes, big feelings, and performances that swing from explosive to hypnotic in a heartbeat. It’s fast, loud, fiercely creative and lots of fun! Spoken word performance from Poetas de Rima Collective.

Led by: Dorgo, Math de Araújo, René and Pekar, and Efêmero

Portuguese only: Please note this session will not have translation to English available

Workshop

What masks do we wear and what happens when we take them off?

In this interactive, playful workshop, we invite you to explore the roles, expectations, and “performances” many men and boys carry every day. Through creative exercises, reflection, and conversation, we’ll unpack how these masks shape our identity and behaviour. Together we'll unpack what this means and experiment with new ways of showing up that help us move toward greater honesty, freedom and authenticity.

Led by: Kay Rufai and Ashanti Branch

Inspired by the series This Thing Called Menopause, aired on TV Globo and hosted by Poliana Abritta,  this panel opens up a conversation on perimenopause and menopause, humanising the journey and inviting everyone into the dialogue to explore the importance of active, empathetic listening and the effects of menopause on relationships, communication, and intimacy.

Confirmed Speakers: Dr. Cláudia Araújo, Lee Gettler and Alexandre Coimbra Amaral

Chair: Poliana Abritta

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Workshop

In the run-up to the World Cup, step outside and get moving with a celebration of Brazilian football skills, flair, and creativity. Join this outdoor activity and try your hand at keeping the ball in the air in this classic Brazilian beach game – simple, addictive, and full of rhythm. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just curious, it’s a chance to play, connect, and experience the joy of football, Brazil-style.

Led by: Ayrão Altinha

Portuguese only: Please note this session will not have translation to English available

Sexual violence against men is rarely talked about and is often not even recognised. Many boys and men grow up hearing that they should always want sex, always be ready, and never say no. Those messages can make it much harder to recognise when something isn't okay, or to find the words to talk about it.

This interactive workshop creates a safe, open, and informative space to explore male sexuality, consent, and the pressures linked to ideas of being a “real man.” Using real social media posts, we’ll look at how men describe their experiences, not only what is said directly, but what is implied through tone, hesitation, humour, or silence. Together, we’ll unpack the language, challenge harmful myths about masculinity, and learn to spot the subtle signs of unwanted sexual experiences lived by boys and men as well as create a space where men can recognise their own boundaries, feel confident expressing them, and reflect on moments where those boundaries may have been overlooked or crossed in a safe and caring environment.

Led By: Renê Bastos of Memórias Masculinas

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Headline In Conversation

Get ready for laughs with a purpose! This headline conversation brings together some of Brazil’s funniest and most celebrated comedy voices to explore how humour can challenge the status quo. From poking fun at outdated stereotypes to shining a light on social truths, this session shows how comedy can entertain, provoke, and inspire all at once. Expect honesty, sharp wit, and plenty of laughs as we discover how laughter becomes a tool for reflection, change, and seeing the world and masculinity in a whole new light.

Confirmed speakers: Rafa Chalub

Chair: Rita Von Hunty

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion

In Brazil, an average of four women are killed every day due to femicide. At a time where the country is confronting this devastating reality head on, we invite some of the people at the frontline of this work to ask what it will truly take to end violence against women.

Centering men’s role and responsibility in GBV – and ending it – this session brings together leading voices to explore accountability, public policy, and the deep cultural shifts needed to drive change. Honest, urgent, and necessary, it’s a call to action to build safer, more just futures for women, girls and society.

Speakers: Luciano Ramos, Michael Flood, Miriam Generoso and Regan Mitchell 

Chair: Jude Kelly 

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Headline In Conversation / Panel Discussion

Join much-loved sports stars and commentators for a lively, big-hearted conversation on what it really means to “win.” From the ring to the pitch, we’ll explore how sports can build discipline, resilience, and care, not just strength.

Through stories, insight, and a bit of self reflection, we’ll look at the relationship between men and sports and how coaching, education and influencers and sportstars are reshaping masculine identities and creating healthier, more supportive cultures in traditionally tough spaces. 

Confirmed speakers: Karine Alves, Diego Marcelino of Luta Pela Paz

Chair: Marcos Luca Valentim

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion

Go behind the scenes of the global MenCare movement in this dynamic panel and masterclass with its international communications team. Discover how campaigns, storytelling, and strategy are reshaping narratives around men, care, and fatherhood across cultures. From shifting public attitudes to influencing policy, this session unpacks what it takes to build a movement that resonates globally while staying rooted in local realities.

Confirmed speakers: Tatiana Moura, Douglas Mendoza, Jean Marie Nkurunziza

Chair: Suna Hannoz Penney

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion

This session dives into the pressures men face around strength, performance, image, and intimacy. From men on Rio’s beaches injecting their bulges with hyaluronic acid to look bigger, to heavier subjects around confidence, connection, and vulnerability. We’ll explore how societal expectations shape identity and relationships, sparking honest conversation, reflection, and new ways to think about what it really means to be a man today.

Confirmed speakers: Dr Vinicius Borges (Doutor Maravilha), Luca Scarpelli, Daniel Gonçalves

Chair: Rachel Lehrer

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion

What happens when boys are given the space to imagine differently? This session focuses on how young people can and are reshaping the future through care, curiosity, and the freedom to become something new. We hear how boys are lifting up their communities, challenging stereotypes, and redefining strength through creativity and connection directly from the people doing the work.

Confirmed Speakers: poet Math de Araújo, Mary Gordon, two young people from the Smiling Boys from Maré project, Ray Vinicius Gomes Peixoto and Thiago Nogueira Da Silva

Artist: Kay Rufai

Chair: Giovanna Lauro

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Panel Discussion

This session celebrates the resilience, joy, and leadership within trans and queer communities. Through personal stories, lived experiences, and powerful reflections, we’ll explore how these communities navigate challenges, claim visibility, and create spaces of care, solidarity, and empowerment. Activists and community leaders will share their work, offering insight into the everyday courage, creativity, and commitment that drives change and builds stronger, more inclusive communities.

Confirmed speakers: Gilmara Cunha, Bruna Benevides, Leonardo Peçanha

Chair: Lör Macedo

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Workshop

A high-energy celebration of Passinho, the explosive street dance born in Rio’s favelas, where rhythm, creativity, and community spark cultural movements that influence Brazil and the world. More than just homes, these neighborhoods are powerful incubators of music, dance, and style.

Led by Imperadores da Dança (The Dance Emperors) – widely recognised as the first Passinho family,  representing Rio's funk culture in projects, battles, festivals, and workshops both in Brazil and abroad. This session is one to get you moving!

Open to all ages, all genders, and all bodies.

Led by: Imperadores da Dança (The Dance Emperors). The workshop is led by Iguinho Imperador, leader and founder of the group, dancer, MC and teacher.

Headline In Conversation / Performance

A triumphant finale to the Festival, this celebratory closing session brings together Gary Barker, Jude Kelly, and the WOW and Equimundo teams to reflect, rejoice, and honour the journey we’ve shared, closing the festival with energy and a shared sense of possibility for the future. The session ends with the Night of the Stars, a feel good performance that lights up the auditorium before leading everyone out into the courtyard to continue the festivities under the open sky. 
Confirmed speakers: Gary Barker, Jude Kelly

Performance: Night of the Stars, leading the audience across the public square to the closing gig in the Courtyard at Museu de Arte do Rio

Portuguese/English simultaneous translation

Performance

Catch DJ Cuca as she lights up the open-air courtyard with an unforgettable sunset set, turning the festival into a night of music, rhythm, and energy.

Performance

Performance

Catch DJ Cuca as she lights up the open-air courtyard with an unforgettable sunset set, turning the festival into a night of music, rhythm, and energy.