The Hubert Bals Fund, one of the main international funds for the development of feature films, linked to the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), is consolidating an unprecedented partnership with three important organizations for the promotion of cinema in Brazil: RioFilme, a City Hall agency integrated with the Department of Culture; Spcine, linked to the Municipal Department of Culture and Creative Economy of São Paulo; and Projeto Paradiso. The “HBF+Brasil: Joint Initiative to Support Development” is an initiative designed to support the development of projects by Brazilian filmmakers. The agreement will be signed during the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, where Brazil will be the honored country.
In the first edition of the partnership, up to nine feature-length fiction projects in the development stage will be supported, with each one receiving 10 thousand euros and the fund's seal of approval. There will be four projects from Rio de Janeiro, four from São Paulo and one chosen from other states in the federation. Applications will open in the second half of 2025, in Rotterdam Festival website.
Leonardo Edde, president of RioFilme, highlights that “RioFilme is proud to take this important step alongside the Hubert Bals Fund and our Brazilian partners. This initiative is not only about supporting new voices, but also about strengthening the legacy of Rio de Janeiro’s already remarkable cinematography. We see this action as a strategy to expand international business opportunities and establish Rio as a prominent creative capital on the global film map.”
The program’s goal is to promote unique, innovative and culturally significant Brazilian narratives, providing financial support and international visibility to Brazilian film talents, and promoting international collaborations. Therefore, the initiative combines the local knowledge and resources of three public and private partners: RioFilme, Spcine and Projeto Paradiso; with the expertise of the Hubert Bals Fund to promote projects with high artistic, economic and collaborative potential.
The entire selection process will be the responsibility of the Hubert Bals Fund. Upon receiving the fund's approval, projects gain value and visibility on the international stage, boosting their chances of obtaining co-producers and other complementary financing. Data indicates that 40% of the projects supported by the HBF ended up being selected in important festivals on the international stage.
“With this new initiative, we are building on this legacy alongside prominent public and private partners who bring essential local knowledge and resources, as well as a deep trust in the Hubert Bals Fund’s expertise in development finance. Together, we are acting on a shared commitment to new forms of cooperation and making a significant contribution to Brazil’s independent film sector,” said Vanja Kalujdercic, Director of the IFFR Festival, and Tamara Tatishvili, Director of the Hubert Bals Fund, in a statement.
Brazil represents 16% of the total volume of applications received by the Fund, which since its creation has supported 44 projects under development in the country, investing more than 750 thousand euros across all its lines of support.
According to Josephine Bourgois, Executive Director of Project Paradiso, “This initiative builds on the fruitful partnership we have established with the Hubert Bals Fund over the past five years. We are pleased to join forces with two important organizations and an internationally renowned institution for this pioneering initiative, which aims to support the development phase of projects by Brazilian filmmakers—a mission that Project Paradiso has embraced since its inception.”
For Lyara Oliveira, president of Spcine, a partner in the São Paulo initiative, “this partnership with the Hubert Bals Fund reinforces Spcine’s commitment to promoting São Paulo’s audiovisual sector on the international stage. The initiative expands the reach of our talents and connects São Paulo to global creation and development networks, and is a step in line with our strategy of internationalization and strengthening the local industry.”
About the Paradiso Project
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 a public company that promotes audiovisual production and is linked to the Municipal Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy of the City of São Paulo. 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 audiovisual production in São Paulo and its impact on the cultural and social sphere.
