A student of fine art and music, Elsa Bruxelas began her professional career in 1978 as a flute player in a musical intervention group after the 25th of April 1974, after the revolution in Portugal. Later, she participates in various Theatrical productions as an art director and assistant director. Her introduction to cinema is through Madragoa Filmes, working under producer Paulo Branco as a prop mistress and wardrobe assistant. During this period she worked on films directed by Manoel de Oliveira, Win Wenders and Maria de Medeiros. Her cinematic debut was a short film written and co-directed with Ricardo Rezende, eventually wining the prestigious Vila do Conde International Film Festival in 1997. Presently, she works at D&D Audiovisuais S.A. both as a colaborater and director in documentaries and entertainment.