Award-winning filmmaker Frederico Lapenda is a global executive who has worked in the entertainment industry for almost 30 years. Lapenda is a pioneer of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and is credited as one of those responsible for the globalization of sport.
In addition to presiding over the Beverly Hills Film Festival® Grand Jury, Lapenda has produced films, MMA events, video games, commercials and documentaries. His documentary, Kidnapping, was eligible for an Oscar nomination in 2011.
Lapenda received a national honor for his lifelong achievements while serving as Tourism Ambassador, appointed by the President of Brazil, placing him among fellow nominees Ronaldinho, Vitor Belfort, Renzo Gracie and Romero Britto.
One of his most significant achievements was the creation of Amazon Allies, a mix of Avengers and Lion King, a children’s book about four super-powered talking animals that protect the Amazon rainforest, co-authored with Marvel Comics founder Stan Lee.