In 1979, he graduated from the Escola de Cinema do Conservatório Nacional (now Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema) with a degree in filmmaking, where he was a student of António Reis.
In 1984, Gonçalves, with José Bogalheiro, founded the independent production company Trópico Filmes.
His debut film, A Girl In Summer, featuring Isabel Galhardo, Diogo Dória, João Perry and Joaquim Leitão in the leading roles, had its international premiere in 1986, at the Venice Film Festival.
In 1989, Vítor Gonçalves produced Costa's debut film, Blood.
Gonçalves spent the following years producing the 1992 film A Nuvem, directed by Ana Luísa Guimarães.