Hi, I’m Maria Caeiro, an educator, storyteller, entrepreneur, and screenwriter from Évora, Portugal.
For as long as I can remember, stories have been my way of seeing the world.
They’ve helped me connect, express, and make sense of life’s twists and turns. I started my career as a teacher, guiding students through the beauty of English Language and Literature, not just as academic subjects, but as doorways to imagination, empathy, and healing. Whether I was working with curious little ones or ambitious teens preparing for university, storytelling was always at the heart of my classroom.
Naturally the desire of stepping into the world of entrepreneurship, creating products and stories for children that nurtured their creativity and sense of wonder came across. That chapter deepened my belief in childhood as a space of possibility, a place where dreams take root and identity begins to bloom.
Now, I feel a strong pull to take my storytelling further. Cinema offers a new canvas, one where stories can reach both children and adults, parents navigating the emotional terrain of raising a child, or anyone searching for meaning, comfort, or hope. I believe films can speak to the child within us, and to the grown-up who still dares to dream.
For me, storytelling isn’t just a skill, it’s a calling. Life is messy, beautiful, unpredictable, and always worth telling. I hold onto faith, chase dreams with purpose, and write with heart.
Through Stage 32, I’m stepping into this new chapter with excitement and intention. I’ll soon be pitching my first screenplay—a story that explores the reality of bullying through a powerful blend of truth, action, drama, and fantasy. I’m looking forward to connecting with producers, directors, and creatives who resonate with my work and might be open to collaboration.
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Hi, Maria Caeiro. I hope you're doing well!
"Life is messy, beautiful, unpredictable, and always worth telling." Love that line, and it's true!
Hope the pitching goes great! I'm not sure if you know about these already, but here are some pitching resources.
Stage 32 has two written pitch examples (one for a show and the other for a movie). Stage 32 also has a verbal TV pitch beat sheet and a verbal feature pitch beat sheet. You can get them by emailing success@stage32.com.
Here's two Lounge posts with pitch advice:
www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Pitch-Advice
www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Pitching-44
The Pitch Practice is the best pitching resource in my opinion. Pitch Practice is every Thursday night at 5:30 P.M. PST/8:30 P.M. EST. You can sit in and listen to members practice their projects and give them feedback. You can pitch your project too, but you have to sign up. The hosts, Noel Thompson and John Mezes, take names during Pitch Practice for people to pitch the following week. You have to sit in and listen at the practice one or two times before you can pitch. The Pitch Practices are only open to Writers' Room members.
The Pitch Tank is an incredible pitching resource too. The Pitch Tank is where you pitch your script to an executive and get feedback.
Stage 32 has a free webinar called "How to Create a 2 Page Pitch For Your Feature Film" (www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-create-a-2-page-pitch-for-your...).
Stage 32 also has a free pitch webinar: www.stage32.com/education/products/pitching-tips-from-the-pros-your-blue...
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Hi, Maurice Vaughan . Glad you like that line. It´s one of my favourite thoughts, too. I think it´s always worth telling because there is always someone in the world that can learn something from that life experience. I want thank you for being so helpful in explaining me all the details and possibilities Stage 32 can offer me to learn how do a good pitch. Thanks my dear friend.
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You're welcome, Maria Caeiro. You're right. It's always worth telling because there's always someone in the world that can learn something from that life experience. I hope the pitching goes great!
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Thanks for taking the time to reintroduce yourself, Maria Caeiro. Your journey from the classroom to the creative space of screenwriting is such a powerful example of how storytelling evolves with us. I love your focus on childhood as a place of wonder and transformation. The emotional depth and purpose behind your upcoming screenplay already speaks volumes, and I hope you’ll continue to share your progress with us.
I’d also love to personally invite you to join our Free August Community Open House happening Wednesday, August 27th! It’s the perfect way to get a feel for all the opportunities Stage 32 offers and learn how to use them. You can sign up here:
https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-august-community-o...
Wishing you so much success as you bring your screenplay to life!
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Hey Ashley Renee Smith . Thanks for your kind and supportive words. It has been very good and rewarding to be part of this wonderful and inspiring community. I´ll keep sharing my progress and asking for advice whenever I need. Thanks for your invite and on the 27th August I´ll be there .