Born and raised in Brazil, Daniel began his career as an animator. His first film, Chiaroscuro, won a Student Academy Award in 2015, qualifying for the Oscars and screening in festivals such as Annecy and Anima Mundi. With a desire to tell stories that spoke to difficult social and political themes, he transitioned to live-action and earned a second nomination at the Student Academy Awards – and a Jury Mention at the historic Guadalajara Film Festival – with his debut film, A Foreman. His projects have gone on to receive recognition from organizations such as the Berlinale, SFFILM and NALIP.