São Paulo Animation Showcases Brazil’s Thrilling and Thriving Toon Industry

As a seasoned movie reviewer who has spent years traversing the globe to uncover hidden gems in animation, I can confidently say that São Paulo is rapidly emerging as a powerhouse in this creative field. With its vibrant talent pool and rich cultural tapestry, it’s no surprise that the city is breeding innovative and captivating animated projects like never before.


Over the last year, Brazil’s vibrant animation industry has been showcased globally. Several of its productions have premiered, competed, and even taken home prizes at prestigious international festivals like Palm Springs, Annecy, San Sebastian, and the Quirino Awards.

As a longtime animation enthusiast with a deep appreciation for international collaborations, I was particularly excited to attend this year’s MIFA event, the world’s premier gathering for the animation industry. Being based in São Paulo, Brazil, I had the unique opportunity to witness a local showcase highlighting projects from our city’s top animation studios. The collaboration between BrC (Brazilian Content), Spcine – the city of São Paulo’s film-TV body – and the Annecy-based market truly showcased the power of international partnerships in driving innovation and creativity within the animation industry.

In vibrant cities like São Paulo, various service sectors, including animation, thrive on a bustling community of skilled professionals. These creative powerhouses, consisting of producers, animators, and support staff with extensive experience spanning 15 to 20 years, are the lifeblood of this industry. This abundance of expertise has fostered a critical mass of talent, making São Paulo an excellent foundation for ongoing growth and international partnerships – a mission that BrC actively supports. With its massive urban landscape exceeding that of New York City and a rich cultural heritage, São Paulo offers an ideal setting for the animation sector to prosper.

Below, EbMaster profiles seven animated projects with São Paulo origins:

“The Little Monkey Monk” (Châtrone, Motim Criativo, Brazil)

The show features a soothing color scheme and lovable character designs that are enhanced by warm lighting and smooth animation, resulting in a serene ambiance intended to provide tranquility and calmness for young audiences. However, the character Mimo stands out with his vibrant gem on his forehead. Fe Brandão and Gui Oller introduced this project at Rio2C and Series_Lab in 2023.

São Paulo Animation Showcases Brazil’s Thrilling and Thriving Toon Industry

“Arlindo,” (Birdo, Brazil/Verité Entertainment, Canada)

In my enthusiasm, I’d like to share that “Arlindo,” a heartfelt coming-of-age feature film, seamlessly blends the essence of adolescence with nostalgia and poignant queer representation. This remarkable project, currently in advanced development, is a collaborative effort between its creators, Luiza Souza (comic book author) and Rafael Gomes.

São Paulo Animation Showcases Brazil’s Thrilling and Thriving Toon Industry

“Handwriting,” (Circo Onírico, Brazil)

Radhi Merron from Serco Uniricor presented “Handwriting,” a brief film centered around a middle school teacher who inexplicably loses the capacity to read and write. This narrative, drawn from Radhi’s personal teaching background, delves into the realms of education, language, and relationships. Currently, this 2D production is being developed and it’s looking for partners to help move it forward.

“Among the Stars,” (Split Studio, Brazil)

As a lifelong admirer of both film and video games, I am genuinely excited about the upcoming project titled “Sisters of Pantanal,” which follows the lives of two sisters, Tai and Ari, as they navigate survival in the vast wetlands of Pantanal while battling against criminal fires. This project is unique because it’s not only a feature film in early development but also a game in pre-production, with a planned 2026 release for the game and a 2028 release for the film.

“Metal Quest,” (44 Toons, Brazil)

In a thrilling tale brimming with adventure, “Metal Quest” is an imaginative comedy for kids, featuring a rebellious teenager named Ian. He assembles a Heavy Metal band and stumbles upon a mystical guitar that whisks him off to the realm of Metal Land. This domain is currently under development for animation trials, aiming for a debut in late 2026. The brainchild of Ale McHaddo, head of 44 Toons, this series seeks to push boundaries with its unique blend of rebellion, music, and fantasy.

São Paulo Animation Showcases Brazil’s Thrilling and Thriving Toon Industry

“Nemito,” (Loberoso Studio, Brazil)

I’m thrilled to be part of the team supporting “Nemito,” a deeply introspective sci-fi adventure set in a futuristic São Paulo. This project is currently under production, with an expected release date in February 2025. Co-directed and written by visionaries Eryk Souza and Ivanildo Soares, and produced by Gabriel Arruda, “Nemito” offers a unique perspective on life within an app-driven gig economy.

São Paulo Animation Showcases Brazil’s Thrilling and Thriving Toon Industry

“Pompom Power,” (Studio Z, Brazil)

As a movie buff excited about upcoming releases, let me share some exciting news about “PomPom Power”, an animated preschool series I can’t wait to see! This show combines entertainment with purpose, taking place in the colorful world of PomPom Land. The story follows five charming characters – Lila, Gaz, Mia, Riku, and Tina-Tin – as they embark on fun and educational adventures.

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2024-07-31 16:17