The São Paulo International Film Festival was first held in 1976.

Brazil has won the most awards at the São Paulo International Film Festival, with over 100 awards.

Alcarràs, a Spanish film directed by Carla Simón, won the Golden Bear award at the 2022 São Paulo International Film Festival.

Nomadland, an American film directed by Chloé Zhao, won the Audience Award at the 2021 São Paulo International Film Festival.

Vitalina Varela, a Portuguese film directed by Pedro Costa, won the Critics' Award at the 2020 São Paulo International Film Festival.

Atlantis, a Ukrainian film directed by Valentyn Vasyanovych, won the New Directors Award at the 2019 São Paulo International Film Festival.

The Act of Killing, an Indonesian documentary film directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, won the Best Documentary Award at the 2018 São Paulo International Film Festival.

Timecode, a Spanish short film directed by Juanjo Giménez, won the Best Short Film Award at the 2017 São Paulo International Film Festival.

My Life as a Zucchini, a Swiss animated film directed by Claude Barras, won the Best Animated Film Award at the 2016 São Paulo International Film Festival.

The Lobster, a Greek film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, won the Best Screenplay Award at the 2015 São Paulo International Film Festival.

Vincent Cassel won the Best Actor Award at the 2014 São Paulo International Film Festival for his performance in the film Saint Laurent.

Cate Blanchett won the Best Actress Award at the 2013 São Paulo International Film Festival for her performance in the film Blue Jasmine.

Michael Haneke won the Best Director Award at the 2012 São Paulo International Film Festival for his film Amour.

A Separation, an Iranian film directed by Asghar Farhadi, won the Best Film Award at the 2011 São Paulo International Film Festival.

Black Swan, an American psychological thriller film directed by Darren Aronofsky, won the Best Cinematography Award at the 2010 São Paulo International Film Festival.