A panel consisting of one hundred individuals, invited by the publication Folha, revisited Brazilian cinema since 2001, each selecting their ten favorite films ranked by preference. From this selection process, a list was generated that highlighted the 50 best national films of the 21st century thus far, with approximately 240 works being mentioned overall. The jury was composed predominantly of notable filmmakers, screenwriters, producers, actors, and actresses from various generations.

Among the distinguished names included in the voting were directors Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, recognized for their iconic film 'Cidade de Deus', which topped the list. Additionally, filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho, whose film 'O Agente Secreto' claimed the third position and is currently in the running for an Oscar, also had four films represented among the top fifty. The voting panel featured celebrated figures from the national cinematographic history of recent decades, such as Fernanda Torres, who won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for 'Ainda Estou Aqui', which secured second place on the list.

This initiative not only emphasizes the significance of Brazilian cinema over the last two decades but also showcases the diversity of opinions and contributions from different generations within the industry. As the list captures a wide spectrum of films, it reflects the evolving landscape of Brazilian storytelling, highlighting both popular titles and critical successes that have resonated with audiences and filmmakers alike in the modern era.