Thrive Venice 2025
Events
DIRECTOR
CINEMATOGRAPHER
SOUND
CLIENT
YEAR
João Santos
João Santos / Felipe Abreu
JS
Checkout.com
2025
Overview
For several years now, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Checkout.com, documenting their annual event series “Thrive.” The 2025 edition took place in Venice — an opportunity to merge the grandeur of the city with the energy of a global fintech gathering. Our mission was to capture the essence of the event: a blend of innovation, connection, excitement, and cultural immersion.
Challenges & Approach
Filming a major corporate event in Venice brings considerable logistical demands: navigating tight schedules, shifting light, busy locations, and constant movement. On top of that, we needed to conduct interviews with key figures throughout the event while simultaneously capturing live moments. Coordinating a four-person film team meant managing coverage, positioning, timing, and communication — all without interfering with the experience of the guests.
Having worked with Checkout.com for years, I’ve developed a strong understanding of what they need captured — both the wide, cinematic atmosphere and the intimate, human moments. Our approach combined a documentary eye with strategic planning: fluid roaming coverage, flexible positioning for interviews, and a dynamic workflow that allowed the team to adapt to the flow of the event.
The Result
The final film delivers a rich, vibrant account of Thrive 2025 — interweaving the scale of Venice, the energy of the gathering, and the warmth of the people attending. Interviews feel natural and candid, while the broader sequences convey the international scope and hospitality of the event. It stands as a testament to long-term collaboration, trust, and the ability to run a coordinated multi-camera team while still delivering a narrative that feels effortless and authentic.
Other works







