São Paulo Companies to Track, Behind ‘I’m Still Here,’ ‘Senna’ and Berlin Titles ‘The Best Mother in the World’ and ‘Suture’

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In the near future, it’s likely that both São Paulo State and Brazil as a whole will allocate more funds towards film, television, video games, and other forms of media. There is a strong chance that this year, Brazil’s Congress may pass a law requiring global streaming platforms to invest in Brazilian films and series. If this occurs, independent Brazilian productions could receive R$700 million-R$800 million ($122 million-$140 million) in investment, according to producer Fabiano Gullane (“Senna”).

Brazil has made quite the comeback story in Latin America and its players are now gracing global stages, thanks to films like “I’m Still Here” and “Senna”. Following suit, several remarkable companies from São Paulo have been featured this year at the Berlin Film Festival. These companies frequently attend international events, with help from São Paulo State, making them noteworthy collaborators on many productions. This article will provide a closer look at some of these companies participating in Berlin, with more to be highlighted soon.

Brazil has been making quite the comeback in Latin America and its players have taken their place on the world stage, thanks to films like “I’m Still Here” and “Senna”. Similar to these companies from São Paulo, they have also been showcased at this year’s Berlin Film Festival. Known for their frequent international collaborations, they are often aided by São Paulo State in attending such events. This article offers a closer look at some of the participating companies and more will be highlighted soon.

44 Toons, Ale McHaddo

A studio that creates both animation and live-action productions since 2016, responsible for the popular series “Osmar” on Netflix Brazil and the hit show “Love is a Hard Job.” This studio is led by McHaddo, a transgender woman with a love for comedy who has performed stand-up in various Brazilian comedy clubs. Speaking to EbMaster, she shares her desire to tell stories from her unique viewpoint, making them entertaining and accessible for all audiences. Currently, they are preparing a comedy, an animated film, and a documentary, each focusing on transgender experiences. McHaddo states that they believe movies have the power to challenge prejudice, and now is the ideal time to share such stories.

Biônica Filmes, Karen Castanho

Established in 2012 by Bianca Villar, Fernando Frahia, Karen Castanho, and the producer of the highest-earning Brazilian films of 2014, 2019, and 2021. This production company also created the HBO Latin America series “PSI,” which earned three International Emmy nominations. Notably, it has a diverse roster of voices supporting Carolina Markowicz’s “Charcoal” and “Toll.” Additionally, it is now collaborating with another renowned female director from Brazil, Anna Muylaert, whose film “The Best Mother in the World” premieres as a Berlinale Special. At the same time, it is also participating in the Berlinale Co-Production Market with Markowicz’s upcoming film, “The Funeral.

Boutique Filmes, Gustavo Mello

Without the influence of Boutique Filmes, might the narrative of television history have taken a different course? This Brazilian production company was responsible for creating “3%,” Netflix’s second non-English series, which debuted in 2016 and achieved significant success beyond Brazil. This widespread acclaim encouraged Netflix to venture into local productions globally. Pioneering the field of true crime in Brazil for Netflix with “Elize Matsunaga: Once Upon a Crime,” Boutique has also collaborated with Globoplay, Prime Video, Disney+, and Max. They continue to explore international co-production opportunities. At the Berlin International Film Festival, they are presenting “Suture,” a medical-thriller rollercoaster ride, as selected for the Berlin Series Market. Mello assures us that it will be an exhilarating ride.

Conspiraçao, Juliana Capelini

The production company behind the Oscar-nominated film “I’m Not Here,” Conspiraçao, is hailed as a contemporary masterpiece in Brazil’s film industry. Established in 1991, it has earned 10 International Emmy nominations. Known for producing TV Globo’s “Under Pressure,” HBO’s “Magnífica 70” and Netflix’s “Reality Z,” Conspiraçao is renowned for its talented directors including Andrucha Waddington, Carolina Jabor, and Claudio Torres. In the realm of cinema, they have ventured into both high-end productions like the Cannes Un Certain Regard standout “Me You Them” and popular local blockbusters such as “Vai Que Cola.

Coração da Selva, Vinnicius Martins Boaventura

2012’s “Pedro & Bianca” Emmy-winning production house, Coração da Selva, collaborates with industry giants like Warner Brothers Discovery, Globo, Netflix, and Disney. Established in 2003, this company is driven by social responsibility and inclusion and has produced notable projects such as “Futuro Beach,” a Berlin competition entry praised by Karim Aïnouz, featuring Wagner Moura from “Civil War,” and “Just Short of Perfect,” which became the most-viewed film on Netflix during its debut week. Currently, Coração da Selva is airing the first independently produced Brazilian novela, “Scars of Beauty,” which has been the most-watched show on Max upon release.

Dezenove Som e Imagens, Sara Silveira

Established in 1991 by director Carlos Reichenbach, and later creating his “Alma Corsária,” Marcelo Gomes’ feature debut “Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures” from 2007, Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra’s Cannes Un Certain Regard entry “Hard Labor,” and the Locarno Special Jury Prize winner “Good Manners,” a werewolf fairy tale, are all productions of Dezenove. Silveira, who is currently working on Gomes’ latest film, “Dolores,” says that Dezenove is motivated by both labor and passion, focusing on promoting Brazilian cinema internationally to make our films more universally recognized.

Gullane, Fabiano Gullane

2024 was a remarkable year for me as a movie producer, surpassing even the success of “Carandiru” at Cannes, and “The Second Mother,” which won at Sundance and Berlin. My latest project, Karim Aïnouz’s “Motel Destino,” competed at Cannes, while “Noah’s Ark” became the highest-grossing Brazilian animation film ever, selling to an impressive 70 countries. Moreover, “Senna” maintained a six-week run in Netflix’s Global Top 10 non-English language series.

As I present a full slate of upcoming titles at Berlin, including new films from Fernando Coimbra, André Ristum, and Cao Hamburger, I’m eager to explore new strategic moves. “We’re here at Berlin to expand international co-productions, test the waters with sales agents for new projects, and foster delightful connections with festival heads,” I say excitedly.

Lighthouse, Ricardo Fadel Rihan

Established in 2009, Lighthouse Productions is renowned for creating romantic comedies and groundbreaking reality shows, which are two highly favored genres in Brazil. Their diverse lineup spans from the political thriller “Real: The Strategy Behind History” to “Juju Boot Camp,” an all-female reality series set at a military camp. Lately, they’ve gained significant attention with “Zero to Hero,” reaching the number 2 spot on Netflix Brazil and the top 5 in non-English speaking regions. At present, their focus is on global expansion, and they are debuting in Berlin with the historical epic “Ramon Castillas Path” (co-produced with Peru’s Imagia Film) and romantic drama “Love Connection.” Additionally, they are marketing the format for their Fitness Influencer Boot Camp.

RT Features, Berta Marchiori 

As a movie enthusiast, I’m consistently impressed by the global scope of RT Features’ co-productions, having supported films like Luca Guadagnino’s “Call Me By Your Name” and Robert Eggers’ “The Lighthouse,” as well as Radu Jude’s 2025 Berlin Competition entry, “Kontinental 25.” This Brazilian powerhouse has been instrumental in bringing promising talent to the global stage, starting with Karim Aïnouz’s Cannes 2019 Un Certain Regard winner “The Invisible Life” and more recently Walter Salles’ triple Oscar-nominated film “I’m Still Here.”

According to RT executive producer Berta Marchiori, the films produced by RT Features embody “bold ideas that blur the lines between critical acclaim and box office success, requiring a unique blend of genre mastery, exceptional filmmaking, and resonance with contemporary culture.” Founded in 2006, RT Features continues to push boundaries and set new standards in cinema.

Supernova, Bruna Veras

Bruna Veras initiated Supernova back in 2016, concentrating on various fields such as design for stage and screen, residential architecture, interior decoration, and education. This venture specializes in crafting “immersive environments that seamlessly combine storytelling with practicality.” Notable works under its belt include the projects titled “Down Quixote,” “A Pedra da Serpente,” and “Pê.” Currently, Veras is stationed in Berlin, presenting two short films she designed as a production artist, “Inside” and “Chica.” Both productions are currently undergoing post-production, and their premiere is set to take place at EFM.

UFO, Gustavo de Carvalho Silva

Located in the outskirts of São Paulo, UFO Film Production was established in 2016 by Gustavo de Carvalho and Luisa Cação, specializing in fiction work such as short films, music videos, and full-length features. UFO seeks stories from remote locations and unusual characters that resonate on a global scale. Their latest production, “Barbed Wire” directed by Carvalho, is an exhilarating coming-of-age story set in the Brazilian countryside and will debut at Berlin’s Generation 14Plus. UFO is now developing a feature-length adaptation of this short film and actively seeking co-producers.

More to come….

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2025-02-16 17:18