Petra Costa (Belo Horizonte, Brazil, July 8, 1983) is a Brazilian actress and filmmaker.
She began to work as an actress when she was 15 years old. She majored in Anthropology at Barnard College, in Columbia University, New York. She continued her studies in London, finishing a Master’s degree in Community and Development at London School of Economics.

She debuted in cinema producing and directing the short film Undertow Eyes (2009), a poetic depiction of love and aging as seen from the perspective of her grandparents. Her first feature film, Elena (2012), was presented at the Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA), São Paulo International Film Festival, Brasilia National Film Festival and the Director’s Week (Rio de Janeiro)
 

• 2005 - Dom Quixote de Bethelehem (Feature film, video documentary)
• 2009 - Undertow Eyes (Short film, documentary)

Rio Film Festival: Best Short Film

Gramado Film Festival (Brazil) Special Jury Award and Audience Award

São Paulo International Short Film Festival: New Talents Award

• 2012 - Elena (Feature Film)

Brasília National Film Festival: Best Documentary – Audience Award, Best Directing, Editing and Production Design

Selected for IDFA (Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival) and Guadalajara International Film Festival