Brazilian film industry international expansion

The Brazilian film industry is increasingly utilizing international co-productions to expand its global presence and strengthen cultural diplomacy.

In late August 2026, RioFilme began negotiating an official film co-production agreement with Russia. Leonardo Edde, president of RioFilme, indicated that the initiative aims to develop a common audiovisual market within the BRICS bloc, using cinema as a tool for soft power and tourism. This follows previous cooperation efforts with China and India.

By late September 2026, this trend toward international partnerships has become a central model for the industry. This shift follows significant critical success, including the first Oscar for a Portuguese-language film directed by a Brazilian, ‘I’m Still Here’, and multiple accolades for ‘The Secret Agent’. While the number of purely Brazilian productions in major film festival competitions has decreased, the country has established new partnerships with nations including Nepal and Finland. The Rio Film Festival has responded to this evolution by creating a dedicated strand to showcase Brazil’s international co-produced works.