ScreenBrasil and HBF+Brazil Launch New Global Initiatives to Expand the International Reach and Development of Brazilian Cinema

In a significant move to bolster the presence of Brazilian audiovisual works on the global stage, Embratur and Projeto Paradiso have officially opened the 2026-2027 call for ScreenBrasil, a flagship program designed to incentivize the international distribution of Brazilian fiction films. This initiative is complemented by the launch of the second edition of HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support, a collaborative effort involving the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF), Spcine, RioFilme, Projeto Paradiso, and Embratur. Together, these programs represent a multi-pronged strategy to support the Brazilian film industry from the early stages of creative development through to final theatrical exhibition in foreign markets.

The ScreenBrasil program specifically targets international sales agents who hold the commercialization rights to majority-Brazilian fiction feature films. By providing financial incentives for theatrical releases outside of Brazil, the program aims to ensure that Brazilian stories reach diverse audiences and compete in the global marketplace. The 2026-2027 cycle will select a total of four distribution proposals through two distinct calls, offering $15,000 USD to each selected project to support its international launch strategy. This funding is intended to cover essential costs associated with marketing, subtitling, and promotional campaigns, which are often barriers for independent films seeking to penetrate international territories.

Strategic Framework of ScreenBrasil 2026-2027

The structure of the ScreenBrasil call is designed to accommodate the varying release windows of contemporary cinema. The first call, which remains open until October 2, is eligible for films that had their premiere starting in January 2024. The second call is scheduled to take place between March 15 and June 15, 2027, catering to titles premiered from January 2025 onward. This staggered approach ensures a continuous flow of supported content and allows sales agents to align their applications with the natural lifecycle of their film slate.

To be eligible, applications must be submitted exclusively by the international sales agent. A critical requirement of the grant is that the film must secure a commercial theatrical release within twelve months following the announcement of the selection. This emphasizes the program’s focus on "big screen" visibility, reinforcing the cultural prestige and economic viability associated with traditional cinema exhibition.

The success of the program’s inaugural edition serves as a foundation for this new cycle. Previous beneficiaries include Gabriel Mascaro’s “O Último Azul,” Rafaela Camelo’s “A Natureza das Coisas Invisíveis,” and Priscilla Kellen’s “Papaya.” These films represent a cross-section of Brazil’s contemporary cinematic voice, ranging from established auteurs to emerging talents, and their international trajectories have been significantly bolstered by the strategic support provided by ScreenBrasil.

HBF+Brazil: Nurturing the Next Generation of Auteurs

While ScreenBrasil focuses on the end-stage of the film pipeline—distribution—the HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support initiative addresses the critical early stages of production. This partnership brings together the Hubert Bals Fund of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) with Brazil’s most influential regional film agencies, Spcine and RioFilme, alongside the national promotion of Embratur and the philanthropic mission of Projeto Paradiso.

The second edition of HBF+Brazil offers grants of €10,000 to fiction feature projects in the early stages of development. The program specifically targets Brazilian directors who are preparing their second or third feature films, a demographic often referred to in the industry as the "sophomore hurdle." By focusing on filmmakers who have already demonstrated potential but require significant support to stabilize their careers, the fund aims to foster long-term professional sustainability in the Brazilian film sector.

The call for HBF+Brazil is open until September 10 and will select up to 11 projects. These projects are distributed across the various support lines provided by the partner organizations. For instance, projects based in São Paulo may fall under the Spcine mandate, while those in Rio de Janeiro are supported by RioFilme, with Embratur and Projeto Paradiso providing a broader national scope. This decentralized yet collaborative funding model ensures that diverse regional voices from across Brazil have the opportunity to access international development resources.

The Historical Context of the Hubert Bals Fund and Brazil

The partnership between the Hubert Bals Fund and Brazil is rooted in a long and productive history. For 35 years, the HBF has been a cornerstone of international support for cinema from emerging markets, and Brazil holds the distinction of being the country that has received the most support in the fund’s history. This enduring relationship underscores the high caliber of Brazilian storytelling and its resonance with international curators and audiences.

The launch of HBF+Brazil in 2025 marked a formalization of this bond, moving beyond occasional grants to a structured, multi-year support system. In its first edition, the program selected ten projects, providing them not only with financial capital but also with the prestige associated with the IFFR brand. This association often acts as a catalyst, attracting further international co-producers and sales agents even before a film has completed production.

Economic and Cultural Implications: Cinema as Soft Power

The involvement of Embratur (the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion) in these film initiatives highlights a strategic shift in how Brazil views its audiovisual industry. Beyond its intrinsic artistic value, cinema is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for "Soft Power." Films that travel to international festivals and find their way into foreign cinemas serve as high-quality advertisements for Brazilian culture, landscapes, and social dynamics, indirectly stimulating tourism and the nation’s global image.

By supporting the circulation of Brazilian films, Embratur is investing in the "Brand Brazil." When an international viewer watches a film set in the streets of Rio, the sertão of the Northeast, or the urban sprawl of São Paulo, they are engaging with the country in a way that traditional tourism marketing cannot replicate. The $15,000 grants from ScreenBrasil, while modest in the context of global marketing budgets, provide a crucial "last mile" injection of capital that can make the difference between a film being picked up for a niche festival run versus achieving a sustained theatrical release in markets like France, Germany, or the United States.

Chronology and Deadlines for Stakeholders

For industry professionals looking to capitalize on these opportunities, the timeline for the coming years is clearly defined:

• September 10, 2024: Deadline for applications to the HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support. This is the primary window for directors of second or third features to secure development funding.
• October 2, 2024: Deadline for the first call of the ScreenBrasil 2026-2027 edition. This call is for films released since January 2024.
• Late 2024 / Early 2025: Announcement of selected projects for both HBF+Brazil and the first cycle of ScreenBrasil.
• March 15 – June 15, 2027: Application window for the second call of ScreenBrasil 2026-2027, targeting films premiered from January 2025.

These dates provide a roadmap for sales agents and producers to plan their international festival and sales strategies. The requirement for a theatrical release within twelve months of selection necessitates that films applying for ScreenBrasil already have a degree of market traction or a clear distribution path in place.

The Role of Projeto Paradiso and Regional Agencies

Projeto Paradiso, an initiative of the Olga Rabinovich Institute, plays a pivotal role as the connective tissue between these various programs. As a philanthropic entity, its mission is to invest in the professional development of Brazilian talent. By partnering with both international funds like HBF and government bodies like Embratur, Projeto Paradiso helps navigate the complexities of international co-production and distribution.

The participation of Spcine and RioFilme is equally vital. As the film commissions for Brazil’s two largest cities, these agencies provide the local infrastructure and regional funding that often serves as the "seed money" for projects that eventually go on to seek international support. Their involvement in HBF+Brazil ensures that the development grants are integrated into the existing local ecosystems, creating a seamless pipeline from municipal support to international recognition.

Analysis: Bridging the Gap in the Film Value Chain

The primary challenge for Brazilian cinema has rarely been a lack of talent or creativity; rather, the bottleneck has historically been in development and international circulation. Many Brazilian films find success on the festival circuit—winning awards at Berlin, Cannes, or Locarno—but struggle to transition from the "festival bubble" into commercial theaters abroad.

The ScreenBrasil grants are specifically engineered to bridge this gap. By focusing on sales agents—the professionals responsible for negotiating with foreign distributors—the program incentivizes the commercial sector to take risks on Brazilian content. Similarly, the HBF+Brazil development support addresses the "sophomore slump" by providing directors with the resources to spend more time on script development and financial planning, leading to more robust and "export-ready" projects.

In a globalized media landscape dominated by streaming platforms, the emphasis on theatrical distribution remains a strategic priority for high-end fiction. A theatrical release provides a level of critical attention and prestige that streaming often lacks, creating a lasting cultural footprint for the film and its creators.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The announcement of these calls signals a period of renewed internationalism for the Brazilian film industry. By aligning domestic support with prestigious international partners like the Hubert Bals Fund and focusing on the commercial realities of global distribution through ScreenBrasil, the Brazilian audiovisual sector is positioning itself for a sustainable future.

As the industry moves toward the 2026-2027 cycles, the focus will likely remain on diversity—both in terms of the stories told and the regions from which they emerge. With 11 development projects and 4 distribution strategies set to receive significant financial and institutional backing, the next two years are poised to see a revitalized presence of Brazilian cinema in theaters and festivals worldwide. This comprehensive support system ensures that Brazilian filmmakers are not only telling their stories to the world but are also equipped with the commercial tools to ensure those stories are heard.