In a milestone move and some of the biggest news from Brazil as it celebrates recognition at Cannes as its Country of Honor, International Film Festival Rotterdam's Hubert Bals Fund is teaming with three leading Brazilian film promotion orgs – Spcine, RioFilme, Projeto Paradiso – to launch HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support.

The new joint program targets early developments of first and second filmmakers from Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other parts of Brazil.

During the pilot year of the three-year program, HBF+ Brazil will support up to nine novel film projects in early development, directed by Brazilian film producers and accompanied by a Brazilian production company that provides a grant of 10,000 euros ($11,300) in the form of grants.

As a management partner, HBF will launch a project call on IFFR.com in the second half of 2025. However, HBF+ Brazilian partners will sign a cooperation agreement at the Cannes Film Festival.

Partners said Monday that the program is accelerating international awareness with financial support and increased international awareness of Brazil’s film production talents to “carry unique, innovative and cultural storytelling from Brazil” while fostering international cooperation.

The program will be in Brazil's largest film production hub, and will be in-depth with locals: Spcine in the city of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro's Riofilme, both of whom have launched pioneer cash discount programs for overseas and national shootings.

HBF+Brazil also teams arguably the top development specialists in Europe and Latin America respectively: the Hubert Bals Fund and Brazilian philanthropic org Projeto Paradiso, a move and shaker on Brazil's young talent scene.

HBF and Projeto Paradiso have become close collaborators, co-publishing Development, a joint work of Hubert Bals Fund and Joséphine Bourgois of Development of Development in Development in Development in Development in Development in Development for Development in Development for Development in Development for Development for Naking Funding in October.

Named after the founder of IFFR, the Hubert Bals Fund and Cinemart have pioneered project assistance from film producers from the film industry around the world since the late 1980s. Both are integrated into one by festivals around the world.

Brazilian film producers are currently unable to utilize federal development funds. HBF has supported film producers around the world, and Brazil is the main goal. However, HBF+ Brazil is the first time HBF focuses on the talent of one country and creates scalable models that can be expanded to other regions.

“Our connection with Brazil is deeply - this is the country we support for over 35 years of history. Many of Brazil’s leading film producers – including Kleber Mendonça Filho, Marcelo Gomes, Marcelo Gomes, Gabriel Mascaro, Gabriel Mascaro and Julia de Simone – all benefit from HBF’s support and benefit from their care. tatishvili.

“Through this new initiative, we will build this legacy with renowned public and private partners who bring essential local knowledge and resources, as well as a deep trust in HBF development funding expertise,” they added. “We jointly undertake a shared commitment to the new forms of collaboration and make a meaningful contribution to the independent film sector in Brazil.”

“The partnership with the Hubert Bals Fund strengthens Spcine's commitment to promoting the audio-visual industry sector in Sao Paulo on the international stage. The initiative expands the influence of our talents and connects St. Paul to the global network of creation and development. This is a step toward our internationalization strategy and strengthening local industry,” said Spcine President Lyara Oliveira.

“Riofilme is honored to take this important step with Hubert Bals Fund and our national partners. This initiative is not only to support emerging voices, but also to strengthen Riofilme President Leonardo Edde. “We see this as a strategic move to expand international co-development opportunities and to confirm Rio’s position as a leading creative capital on the global cinema map.” ”

According to Projeto Paradiso's Bourgois, “this initiative builds on the relationship we have established with Hubert Bals Fund over the past five years of fruitful partnership. We are pleased to unite two leading Brazilian public funds with an internationally renowed institution for this pioneering initiative aimed at supporting development – ​​a mission that Projeto Paradiso has embedded since its inception.”