
I Dream of Being an Image follows Rosa, a Black woman haunted by a vivid vision of another woman beside a waterfall. As she searches for its meaning, her path crosses with Curitiba’s Black history—and dangers she does not yet recognize.
I Dream of Being an Image is a Brazilian short film blending mystery, thriller and fantasy. At 16 minutes, it centers on Rosa, whose unsettling vision begins to reshape the way she sees the world around her.
Directed and written by Gabriel Borges, the film connects Rosa’s search with the Black history of Curitiba, using a strange image as the starting point for a potentially dangerous investigation.
I Dream of Being an Image movie details
| Title | I Dream of Being an Image |
|---|---|
| Original title | Sonho Ser Imagem |
| Runtime | 16m |
| Genres | Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy |
| Director | Gabriel Borges |
| Writer | Gabriel Borges |
| Country | Brazil |
| Languages | Portuguese |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
Rosa imagines a Black woman standing in a waterfall, but the image feels more tangible than an ordinary dream. She cannot determine whether the woman belongs to the past, the future or another world, so she begins looking for answers.
Her boyfriend, Paulo, works as a guide taking tourists through Curitiba’s Black history. As Rosa follows the mystery behind the image, the city takes on a more threatening dimension. The film’s premise leaves the meaning of the vision open while placing Rosa at the center of an increasingly uneasy search.

What to expect
The film combines mystery, thriller and fantasy elements within a compact 16-minute running time. Its premise suggests a story built around an ambiguous vision, questions of time or reality, and a search that brings Rosa into contact with danger. The Curitiba setting and its connection to Black history are central parts of the setup.
Cast and creative team
Cassia Brito plays Rosa. The cast also includes Jean Guilherme Filho, Victor Curuca, Heleno Rohn, Hique Veiga and Luiz Barotto. Gabriel Borges wrote and directed the film.
- Cassia Brito as Rosa
- Jean Guilherme Filho
- Victor Curuca
- Heleno Rohn
- Hique Veiga
- Luiz Barotto
Release and production context
I Dream of Being an Image is a released short film from Brazil with a runtime of 16 minutes. Its spoken language is Portuguese. The production companies are O Quadro and Filmes do Horizonte. A specific release date and year are not provided.
Production companies: O Quadro, Filmes do Horizonte
Reported production figures:
Budget $13,000
Movies Dock view
With its short format and open-ended supernatural premise, I Dream of Being an Image focuses on a single mysterious image and the risks attached to pursuing it. Its story links personal uncertainty with Curitiba’s Black history while keeping the nature of Rosa’s vision unresolved.
Frequently asked questions
What is I Dream of Being an Image about?
It follows Rosa, who searches for the meaning of a vivid image of a Black woman in a waterfall while confronting dangers in Curitiba.
What genre is I Dream of Being an Image?
It is classified as a mystery, thriller and fantasy film.
How long is I Dream of Being an Image?
The film has a runtime of 16 minutes.
Who directed I Dream of Being an Image?
Gabriel Borges directed the film.
Who stars in I Dream of Being an Image?
Cassia Brito plays Rosa. Jean Guilherme Filho, Victor Curuca, Heleno Rohn, Hique Veiga and Luiz Barotto are also in the cast.
Film data:
TMDB















