It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of our doctoral student, Rodrigo Leal da Silveira.
I met Rodrigo as soon as I started teaching at the Faculty of Education at Unicamp. We were introduced by his then undergraduate advisor, Professor André Paulilo. From the first moment, we perceived the affinities between our research, centered on Brazilian educational cinema. At the same time, he was my FAPESP technical training scholarship recipient, contributing invaluably to the organization of research data in a computerized system he set up. At the time, I created a study group with my advisees, which we affectionately named LAISA (Laboratory for Research in the Sociology of Art), of which Rodrigo was a member from day one. I have followed his research ever since, having participated in his master's thesis defense committees, which focused on educational cinema in the 1920s and 1930s. For his doctorate, Rodrigo became my advisee in the research area of Education and Cultural History and was about to take his qualifying exam, scheduled for June 18, 2026. The work was going very well, as Rodrigo loved what he studied and worked with seriousness, dedication, and commitment. He recently published a book, the result of his master's dissertation, entitled... Educational cinema in transition: from early writings to the beginning of the activities of the National Institute of Educational Cinema. (Editora Diálogo Freireano, 2026). He was also a musician, and on several occasions he graced us with his talent at university events. However, more than all these talents, Rodrigo was a caring, attentive person, concerned about his colleagues and always ready to help. His untimely departure fills our hearts with sadness. I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends. Rodrigo will be greatly missed. However, in our memory and in our hearts he will always be present, like a good film or a beautiful song.
Professor Anderson Ricardo Trevisan
