Born in Rio de Janeiro, in 1970, Bernstein is a screenwriter and director. With João Emanuel Carneiro, he wrote Central Station (1998), movie directed by Walter Salles, winner of the Golden Bear at Berlin International Film Festival and screened at the 42nd Mostra. He also wrote Oriundi (1999, 23rd Mostra), Zuzu Angel (2006), Chico Xavier (2010) and Brazilian Western (2013), among other films. As a director, he made the features The Other Side of the Street (2004) and My Sweet Orange Tree (2012).

Filmography