As the Marketing Director of Mercedes-Benz Iberia, Monica brings a wealth of experience and a keen eye for detail to the jury of the Mercedes-Benz Nazaré Winter Sessions Awards. Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of Sweden, Monica grew up immersed in outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking, fostering a deep appreciation for nature's beauty.
This passion for the outdoors seamlessly translates into a love for photography, particularly in capturing the dynamic and ever-changing essence of the sea. Monica is captivated by how photography can showcase the ocean's myriad angles and seasons, revealing its power and serenity in equal measure.
With a professional background in marketing and a personal affinity for the natural world, Monica is excited to bring a unique perspective to the competition, celebrating the artistry and skill of photographers who capture the spirit of the waves.
Carlos Filipe, born in Nazaré in 1978, has built a multifaceted career in the fields of arts and cultural management. With a clear passion for creativity and a strong connection to his roots, he began his academic journey in Sculpture, earning a Bachelor’s degree from the School of Arts and Design of Caldas da Rainha (ESAD.CR) in 2004. He continued his education with a degree in Fine Arts from the same institution, completed in 2006, solidifying his artistic skills.
Later, he broadened his intellectual horizons by pursuing a Master’s degree in Comparative Studies – Literature and Other Arts at Universidade Aberta (UAb) in 2022, exploring the intersection of various artistic disciplines.
Since 2017, Carlos Filipe has been serving as the General Director of the Praia do Norte brand and the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo, leading projects that emphasize Nazaré's cultural and historical identity. Under his leadership, these entities have played a pivotal role in promoting Nazaré as an iconic destination, renowned for its giant waves and unique cultural heritage.
Carlos Filipe is a key figure in bridging the worlds of art, culture, and management, contributing significantly to Nazaré's recognition as one of the most emblematic symbols of the Portuguese coast.
João, born on June 1st, 1977 in New Haven, Connecticut, to Portuguese parents, discovered his passion for the sea at the age of seven while is grandmother would take him to the beach in Praia Grande, Sintra to bodyboarding. The rugged Atlantic weast coast became the foundation for what would envolve into his lifelong career.
As the first Portuguese and European surfer to qualify for the World Surf League´s (WSL) Big Wave Championship Tour, João reached the Top 5 in the 2012/2013 season. Was a highlight and nominated for the Big Wave XXL Awards in following seasons, having caught the biggest wave of his career in Nazaré in 2022. He holds a degree in Economics froam NOVA School of Business and Economics(NOVASBE), and in 2000, founded the Surf Academia in Praia Grande and Carcavelos.
João is also a co-founder and former manager of the World Surfing Reserves movement created by the Save The Waves Coalition (STW), helping designate Ericeira as the world´s second World Surfing Reserve. In 2021, he was part of the team that led STW´s Surf Protected Area Network program in the Azores.
His contributions were key in establishing big wave paddle surfing in Nazaré, where he qualified to compete individually and as part of the Portuguese team in the World Surf League (WSL) Nazaré Tow Challenge for 7 seasons. He was inducted in the Nazaré Surfer´ Hall of Fame in 2016. Today, João serves as President of the Hope Zones Foundation, continuing his mission to protect and preserve the Ocean through surfing.
Born in Brazil, Filipi grew up in the countryside and went tocollege in a Catholic University to study Social Communication. From early on, Filipi has been on the run, experiencing different ways to see the world and giving him the opportunity to collaborate cross media, in the universe of communication, technology and arts.
Throughout his career, he’s been lucky to travel around the globeto document and tell extraordinary stories - from music concerts to wild nature - and working alongside many people who have inspired him.
He crossed the Australian East Coast - from Melbourne to Cairns -producing film content, drove through Atacama Desert – twice - shooting BMW motorcycles, spent a year filming a documentary for WWF about the Brazilian Cerrado, "joined" the Army to film a documentary about the Brazilian Air Force. Directed documentaries about Brazilian music and the Julio Iglesias World Tour. He did fashion films, a couple of surf and sports films, some commercial and corporate films and has also filmed Elvis Presley - yes, the King himself.
His last project in Brazil, before heading to Europe, took him in a journey of 6.000 km to the middle of the Amazon Forest during more than 70 days to film the first HBO Documentary Series ever produced in Brazil.
Currently, he’s working around the world in production and post-production of film projects for distinguished clients such as Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Jaguar, BMW, NFL, National Geographic, HBO, Sony, Samsung, Renault, Globo, among others.
Above all, Filipi is passionate about what he does and that is why his office has no walls and his set is the world.
I grew up in a city on the coast where the sea is part of everyday life. The beach has always been part of my life, I grew up appreciating life outdoors, always close to the sea and surfing, which became my hobby, my passion and professional life.
Photography entered my life through my work with Beachcam. What started as a casual interest turned into a more serious dedication, leading me to study at Ar.Co and ETIC to improve my skills.
As CEO of Beachcam, I was able to combine my leadership experience with my love for the sea, transforming a live streaming and wave forecasting platform into a meeting point for the surfing community.
Since 2013, I have been closely following events in Nazaré, especially in Praia do Norte, known for its giant waves. I have witnessed historic moments and significant achievements in the world of surfing over the years.
I present myself here as a member of the jury in this prestigious photography and video competition. As a visual arts enthusiast, I understand the responsibility I carry when evaluating the works entrusted to us. Each image is a narrative, a window into the artist's unique perspective, and deserves to be considered with respect and attention to detail.
Good luck everyone!
Tó Mané is generally the man behind the camera when it comes to capturing some of the most epic surf shots coming out of Portugal. Tó began surfing in 1988 and fell in love with the surfing lifestyle. His photography journey began during childhood, inspired by his grandfather's passion for photography. In 1998, he fulfilled his dream by publishing his first professional surf photograph in a Portuguese magazine named "Surf Magazine." His work has been featured in surf magazines all around the world.
However, the famous giant waves of Nazaré, surfed by the legendary Garrett McNamara, propelled Tó beyond the realm of surfing and into a broader sphere. His impressive portfolio boasts a collection of prestigious awards. Notably, he was featured in Time magazine's 'Most Surprising Photos of 2013', and Tó Mané achieved 3rd place in the Sports and Extreme Sports category at the IPA - International Photo Awards 2023.
