Argentinian director Lucas A. Vignale was among the passengers killed in the helicopter crash in Brazil on Sunday (June 14th) that also killed US pop star and internet artist Oliver Tree and four others.

The helicopter in which Vignale was travelling with Oliver Tree and Argentinian YouTuber Gaspar Prim Diaz - known as Gaspi - was involved in a mid-air collision with another helicopter over Recreio dos Bandeirantes in Rio de Janeiro.

28 year old Vignale was building a reputation as a filmmaker as a result of his work, particularly with directing partner, actor-turned-filmmaker Lorenzo Ferro. Their short film La Pasión was awarded the Stimulus Award for Argentine Cinema. Vignale and Ferro's first feature film The River Train premiered at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in April this year to considerable acclaim.

He also made short films with Gaspi, and the pair were working with Oliver Tree, who was on the Brazilian leg of his world tour, when the accident took place.

He signed to LA-based production company UnderWonder Content in 2024. UnderWonder owner Frank Borin posted an emotional tribute to him on Instagram on Monday night. 

"It’s important people know about Lucas. He was special. Not just because of his immense talent. He’s one of the few directors that retained that childlike enthusiasm in life and on his shoots. Seeing him on set was like witnessing a child opening presents on Christmas morning. This infectious enthusiasm spread like wildfire to the crew, artists and talent he worked with. A Lucas shoot was a fun collaboration filled with laughs, hugs at the end, and going out after to celebrate. Spending time and working with Lucas was invigorating and something you were always looking forward to because you knew it was going to be a worthwhile endeavor that would stick with you for a lifetime...

"He included everyone in his vision and was a true collaborator. Where some people direct from their brain, Lucas directed from his soul. His work seeped with depth, empathy, and humanity, which only made sense from a person who wore his heart on his sleeve."

• Cinema Tropical