São Paulo’s Film Cash Rebate Delivers Early Wins, Sets Stage for 2025 Edition

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The film-TV organization of São Paulo, known as Spcine in Brazil, is seeing practical success with its cash rebate program ahead of its third installment this year. Among the four projects that have progressed under the second phase of the program is a dark medical thriller titled “Suture,” produced by Fabio Montanari and Boutique Filmes for Amazon Prime Video. This project secured a rebate of approximately $527,000 (R$3 million).

The show chronicles the lives of Ícaro, a financially strapped physician (played by Humberto Morais), and Dr. Mancini, an esteemed surgeon struggling with shaking due to past traumas (Cláudia Abreu). In their secret lives, they perform forbidden surgical operations.

Among the projects that are only partially financed are: “Biônica Filmes’ Portuguese-language adaptation of ‘Friends with Benefits’, set to premiere on HBO Max”, “Coração da Selva’s telenovela ‘Scars of Beauty’, also airing on HBO Max”, and “Maníaco do Parque” by Santa Rita Filmes, which will be streaming on Prime Video. This last one is a dramatization based on the chilling story of Brazil’s most notorious serial killer.

In 2021, this initiative was unique in Brazil, being the initial and at that moment, sole, program offering production incentives within the country.

According to Ary Scapin, Director of Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships at Spcine, the introduction of the cash rebate program was a significant milestone for Brazil’s audiovisual sector. This program’s initial success not only confirmed the initiative but also sparked similar programs in various parts of the country.

The updated version of the program, renamed as the Film Production Attraction Program for São Paulo City and State in 2022, significantly increased funding to approximately $7.03 million (R$40 million) through a collaboration between São Paulo’s City Hall and State Government. Starting from May 25, 2023, Module 1, specifically designed for international co-productions or service-based productions, has started accepting applications, with around $4.5 million (R$25.5 million) allocated.

Qualified projects that meet the criteria can receive a refund of anywhere from 20% to 30%, depending on their expenditures. Those projects focusing on improving sustainability, promoting diversity, or utilizing local filming techniques may be eligible for even greater rebates.

The program stipulates a minimum eligible spending of $1.8 million for live-action and $1.2 million for animation projects. Furthermore, it dictates that at least one fifth of the total expenses should be incurred outside São Paulo city, promoting growth in other regions.

According to Scapin, negotiations persist for the extension of the fruitful city-state collaboration, aiming to broaden its influence and draw in an abundance of substantial domestic and foreign ventures on a grand scale.

Spcine’s CEO, Lyara Oliveira, doesn’t envision significant structural overhauls in Spcine due to their comprehension of the market. However, she emphasizes that the key objective is to match this momentum, expand alongside the sector, and broaden and diversify our actions as the industry undergoes change.

Although the rebate itself might not trigger a widespread upsurge, indications suggest an increasing backing from the government, such as discussions about a $140.6 million incentive from Brazil’s Ministry of Culture.

According to Scapin, the production industry hasn’t fully recovered yet. He explains that international productions typically go through financing processes lasting up to two years, and many projects they had initially scouted are still in the process of securing funding. In light of this, Scapin notes that their policies continue to adapt as circumstances change.

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2025-05-15 19:19