Category:
HBF+Brazil opens applications in September to support 11 new Brazilian feature films.
Published on 25/08/2026 - 17:02 | Updated
The initiative is aimed at projects directed by Brazilian filmmakers - Press Release The HBF+Brazil: Development Support Initiative will open applications for its second edition between September 3rd and 10th. The initiative will select 11 Brazilian feature-length fiction film projects in the early stages of development, each receiving €10 to advance their projects. The call for proposals is already available on the IFFR website.
HBF+Brazil is a partnership between the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF) — a fund linked to the Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR) —, RioFilme, a company of the Rio de Janeiro City Hall, Projeto Paradiso, and Spcine, with support from Embratur. The call for proposals is aimed at projects directed by Brazilian filmmakers in their second or third feature film and that have a Brazilian production company associated with them.
In this edition, the program will expand the number of supported projects from ten to eleven. Four slots will be allocated to projects linked to the city of Rio de Janeiro, with support from RioFilme, and another four to projects linked to the city of São Paulo, with support from Spcine. The Paradiso Project will support one project from other regions of the country, while Embratur will support two other projects from outside the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
Created by the Rotterdam International Film Festival, the Hubert Bals Fund supports filmmakers from different regions of the world, contributing to the development and realization of film projects. Through HBF+Brazil, the fund's work gains a focus dedicated exclusively to Brazilian projects.
To present the second edition and clarify any doubts from potential candidates, the partner institutions held an online discussion about the call for applications. The recording is available in its entirety on the Paradiso Channel on YouTube.
The complete regulations, including eligibility and selection criteria and registration guidelines, can be found on the IFFR website.
About HBF+Brazil: An initiative to support development.
Launched in May 2025, the HBF+Brazil: Initiative to support development It supports the early development of feature-length fiction films by Brazilian filmmakers, offering grants of €10 for projects directed by filmmakers on their second or third feature film, with a Brazilian production company associated with the project. Check out the selected projects.
The initiative combines the local knowledge and resources of Projeto Paradiso, RioFilme, Spcine, and Embratur with the Hubert Bals Fund's expertise in development financing. The program is part of the HBF's long-standing commitment to Brazilian cinema—Brazil is the country most supported by the fund in its 35-year history.
HBF+Brazil Partners
About the Hubert Bals Fund
The Hubert Bals Fund, of the Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR), was created in 1988 to support innovative film projects at all stages of the production process. The HBF has a special focus on filmmakers from countries where local audiovisual infrastructure and production are limited or restrictive.
To date, the HBF has supported over 1.100 film projects, many of which have premiered at major international festivals and received critical acclaim. Recent films supported by the HBF include Landmarks by Lucrecia Martel, A Useful Ghost by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, and All We Imagine as Light by Payal Kapadia.
About IFFR
The 56th edition of the Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR) will take place between January 28 and February 7, 2027. The festival presents one of the leading international film programs and maintains activities throughout the year, supporting independent and innovative film talent through the CineMart co-production market, the Hubert Bals Fund, the Rotterdam Lab, and other industry initiatives.
The IFFR seeks to expand, enrich, and challenge people's perceptions of the world and of each other through film and audiovisual arts. Its programming deepens the appreciation of cinema in all its forms, broadens and diversifies audiences, and creates opportunities for independent filmmakers and artists from around the world.
About Project Paradiso
The Paradiso Project, a philanthropic initiative of the Olga Rabinovich Institute, invests in professional training and knowledge generation through scholarship and mentoring programs, as well as courses, seminars and studies. Focused on internationalization, it works through partnerships with leading institutions in Brazil and around the world, creating opportunities for professionals at different stages of their careers. Since 2019, the initiative has benefited hundreds of Brazilian audiovisual professionals through its numerous initiatives.
About Spcine
Spcine is the public company for the promotion of audiovisual production of the City of São Paulo, linked to the Municipal Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy. It acts as an office for the development, financing and implementation of programs and policies for the film, TV, games and new media sectors. Its objective is to recognize and stimulate the economic and creative potential of São Paulo's audiovisual sector and its impact on the cultural and social spheres.
About Embratur
Embratur's mission is to plan, formulate, and implement actions for the international promotion of Brazilian tourism products, services, and destinations, in cooperation with the federal public administration and in partnership with governments, municipalities, and the private sector.
The goal is to attract international tourists and strengthen the country's economy in partnership with destinations and companies throughout the service chain that make these visitors' experiences unforgettable. Tourist destinations prepared for international promotion can count on the Agency's support and integrate this strategy.
News
