Welcome to ACE Films 

I don’t just work in film.

It’s where I dream.

Anthony 'ACE' Cabral Filmmaker, Assistant Director, Educator, Advocate

Behind the Call Sheet: My Story

I’m Anthony “ACE” Cabral, a Latinx filmmaker and First Assistant Director with nearly 30 years of experience bringing stories to life on set. Raised in St. Louis, shaped by my Brazilian roots, and now based in Chicago, I’m a proud product of many worlds. Film is where they all come together. It’s my career, my passion, and my escape. It’s where I still laugh, gasp, and dream just like I did as a kid sitting wide-eyed in a movie theater.

🎬 Career Highlights

I’ve worked on everything from indie festival favorites to major studio projects, including Disney’s “Christmas Again” & “Saturdays”, as well as projects for Hulu & Netflix, and I’m a proud member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), Producers Guild of America (PGA), and SAG-AFTRA. My short film Broke Juke screening during the Cannes Film Festival in the Cannes Court Métrage, and joining the DGA remains some of my most personal career milestones.

🎥 Filmmaker & First AD Perspective

While I’m widely recognized as a top-tier First AD, I carry the soul of a director. I know what a filmmaker needs, because I am one.

⚡ On-Set Presence & Leadership Style

I’m often called the “emotional thermostat.” I lead with energy, clarity, and purpose. I keep people safe, informed, and inspired, from the first call to the final wrap. I believe in old-school work ethic and new-school tools. I’m “all go, no quit,” but I never lose sight of the team around me. If you’re a young crew member, I’ll take time to teach you. If you’re a producer, I’ll deliver your vision with precision. If you’re a director, I’ve got your back from shot one to picture wrap.

🌍 Cultural Roots & Identity

My heritage runs deep in everything I do. My father came to this country from Brazil, and I carry his spirit, hardworking, optimistic, determined to build something lasting. The name “Cabral” means keeper of goats, and I wear it proudly. On set, I shepherd the story, the schedule, and the people, leading with heart and direction. Like Pedro Álvares Cabral, the explorer who charted new paths, I venture boldly into the unknown with each project I take on.

🤝 Mentorship & Industry Advocacy

Off set, I serve on the DGA’s Eastern AD/UPM Council and am a proud member of several committees, including the Latino Committee and Eastern Diversity Steering Committee. I teach Production Assistant Training Programs, volunteer at the Sundance Film Festival, and speak at film schools and festivals across the country. Building the next generation of filmmakers isn’t a side project, it’s part of who I am.

🎯 What I Offer

Whether you’re looking for a seasoned 1st AD, a creative collaborator, a consultant, or a speaker, I’m here to bring clarity, momentum, and soul to your production.

👉 Let’s connect or see what I’m working on now

🎬 Credits Now Live

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Search and explore the projects I have been part of across film and television.

A visual recap of my work, filterable and easy to navigate.

Explore Credits

Featured Credits

 

🎬 Services

With over 30 years in film, television, and video production, I bring deep experience, flexibility, and a strong sense of collaboration to every project—no matter the scale.

 

My work spans behind-the-scenes production support and public-facing opportunities—ideal for producers, collaborators, educators, and industry teams looking to bring in someone with a clear voice and proven results. Whether you’re building a crew, planning an event, or just looking to start a conversation, I’m ready to jump in.

🛠️ Production Services

  • 🎬 On-Set Leadership
    First Assistant Directing (DGA)
    Leadership for features, series, commercials, and branded content, focused on safety, efficiency, and clear communication from prep through wrap.
  • 📋 Pre-Production Support
    Script Breakdown & Scheduling
    Custom breakdowns and timelines for projects in development, including scheduling tools and day-out-of-days.
  • 🧠 Strategic Creative Consultation
    Creative Production Consultation
    Collaborative support for directors, producers, and creatives who want strategic insight on how to align vision with execution.

🎤 Public-Facing Opportunities

  • 🗣️ Speaking & Mentorship
    Educational Speaking & Mentorship
    Guest lectures, panels, and training programs for schools, festivals, or industry orgs.
  • 🎟️ Festivals & Events
    Festival Panels & Industry Conversations
    Available for speaking opportunities at festivals, guild events, or film orgs seeking AD/director insights.
  • 📰 Media Interviews
    Media & Interviews
    Open to commentary, profiles, and interviews related to filmmaking, leadership, or Latino/Brazilian creative voices.
🤝 Let’s Connect

Whether you’re hiring for your next production, planning a panel, or just looking to start a conversation, I’d love to connect.

📅 Schedule a Discovery Call – For quick meetings, questions, or to explore working together
📩 Contact Me Directly – For formal inquiries, proposals, or invitations
I’m open to representation and collaboration opportunities with agents, managers, or media platforms looking to work with a production-savvy creative voice.

 

🛠️ Software & Tools

ACE Films is expanding beyond production services into practical tools designed to support the way real people work. These applications are rooted in my experience on set, in prep, and in the day to day realities of managing information, communication, and workflow.

 

From production paperwork to personal task management, these tools are built to solve real problems with clarity, efficiency, and a better user experience.

Daily TimeCards

Digital timecards and daily paperwork, without the chase.

Daily TimeCards is a digital department timecard and document portal designed for film, television, and commercial productions. It helps departments collect crew times, notes, amendments, and paperwork in a cleaner, faster, and more organized way.

Visit Daily TimeCards

Built by production, for production.

TaskBoxy

Simple task management for real life.

TaskBoxy is a personal productivity app designed to help you brain dump, prioritize, schedule, and complete your work without overcomplicating the process. It is a practical tool for people who need structure, focus, and follow through.

Explore TaskBoxy

Brain Dump. Prioritize. Schedule. Complete.

These tools reflect a growing side of ACE Films, where production experience, workflow thinking, and practical problem solving come together.
 

 

🎬 What’s Next for ACE Films 🚀

Fresh resources, new merch, and hands-on training are on the way.

 

📚 Resources

  • 📋 Explore carefully curated books, gear, and tools that help filmmakers work smarter on set and in prep.

🧢 ACE Films Store

  • 🎟️ ACE Films branded apparel and accessories that let you rep your support with style on and off set.

👨🏻‍🏫 ACE Film School

  • 🗣️ Online courses and live workshops taught by a working DGA 1st AD. Real-world training for real productions.

Contact ACE Films

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