BrLab Unveils New Dates, Co-Pro Forum and Regional Spread Ahead of 15th Anniversary Edition (EXCLUSIVE)

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In 2025, as BrLab celebrates its 15th anniversary, it’s unveiling an ambitious plan to broaden its global impact, improve its offerings, and strengthen its backing for up-and-coming filmmakers in Latin America – one of the world’s most significant development hubs for cinematic projects.

Rafael Sampaio, head of BrLab, recently sat down with EbMaster in Cannes to talk about four significant changes that underscore how the platform is transforming into a creative hotspot and strategic launchpad for Brazilian, Latin American, and wider Ibero-American cinematic productions.

Established in 2011, BrLab has evolved into a significant player in fostering independent cinema, providing workshops, labs, and mentorships for projects hailing from over fifteen different countries each year. Institutions like Programa Ibermedia, Projeto Paradiso, Spcine, and now Petrobras as a long-term sponsor, support BrLab’s endeavors. The lab receives approximately 400 submissions annually, which are meticulously reviewed by a team of professional evaluators.

The outcomes are evident. By the year 2026, a total of approximately 90 feature films that were part of BrLab’s diverse sections will have been produced, with 17 already completed and in post-production, and another 10 funded for production by then. This number is projected to grow even further next year. Notably, numerous films associated with BrLab have graced the screens at renowned international film festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlin, San Sebastián, and Locarno.

Notable films from recent years include “The Enigmatic Stare of the Flamingo,” which was part of the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2025; “Levante” by Lila Halla (Brazil), shown in the 2023 Semaine de la Critique; “Légua” by Filipa Reis and João Guerra (Portugal), exhibited at Directors’ Fortnight the same year; “Los Tiburones” by Lucía Garibaldi (Uruguay), debuted at Sundance; “Las Herederas” by Marcelo Martinessi (Paraguay), premiered at the Berlinale; and “Los Reyes del Mundo” by Laura Mora (Colombia), winner of the Concha de Oro at San Sebastián 2022. “The Wolf Behind the Door,” directed by Fernando Coimbra, was initially featured in BrLab’s inaugural edition in 2011 and later selected for Toronto and San Sebastián film festivals.

Looking forward, BrLab is making four significant adjustments aimed at amplifying its influence even more.

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Moving forward, BrLab is planning to make four crucial updates in order to boost its impact significantly.

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In the years ahead, BrLab is set to undergo four key transformations with the goal of enhancing its effectiveness even more.

New Dates: Moving to April

Beginning in 2025, BrLab will change its usual October schedule to a new timeframe within the first half of the year. The 15th installment is set for April 7–13, 2025. This adjustment helps BrLab dodge competition from crowded fall festival schedules and gives participating projects extra time to perfect their work before showcasing it later in the year. Sampaio explains that this timing also boosts the worth of BrLab’s Rough Cut Lab, making it a more influential mid-year intervention.

He mentioned that this adjustment establishes a more productive pace for project progression. Our chosen squads will be optimally positioned to capitalize on the global racing scene, and scheduling in April offers an advantage towards achieving this goal.

BrLab CoPro: A New Co-Production Forum

BrLab is additionally introducing BrLab CoPro, an exclusive cooperative production forum carefully assembled to stimulate fresh international partnerships. This platform will unite producers and projects eager to establish co-productions with Brazil and other Latin American regions, as a region where cross-border collaboration becomes increasingly vital for financing and distribution purposes.

This fresh development underscores BrLab’s expanded function as a bridge, linking not only individuals with talent, but also educational establishments and sectors that can facilitate the creation of films.

Audience Design Workshop Goes Regional

Beginning in 2017, BrLab’s Audience Design Workshop has been offering specialized instruction to Brazilian filmmakers on how to locate, comprehend, and connect with their specific audiences. By the year 2025, this workshop will broaden its horizons, inviting participants from Latin America, Portugal, and Spain, fostering a fresh regional conversation about the difficulties of distribution and audience interaction.

Sampaio proposed a plan to boost local film distribution and foster enduring links among regions,” he said, having initially learned about the audience design concept through TorinoFilmLab. “Frequently, films from one Latin American nation fail to reach audiences in neighboring countries. Our goal is to make a difference in this regard.

Reinforcing Institutional Support and Regional Collaboration

The growth of BrLab has been facilitated by strong institutional support, with longtime supporters like Programa Ibermedia, Projeto Paradiso, and Spcine being joined recently by Petrobras, who are now providing multi-year sponsorship to the lab. This expanding alliance underscores the growing significance of BrLab as a catalyst for not just Brazilian cinema but also a wider creative network across Ibero-America.

For over 14 years now, BrLab has been a trailblazer and driving force in regional cinema with almost 90 films under its belt and an ever-expanding collection of international honors. As we approach our 15th edition, the lab remains steadfast in its primary goal: to nurture budding talents, foster collaborative efforts, and influence the trajectory of world cinema, one project at a time.

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2025-05-19 13:17