Despite Brazil not having this yaer a film at Cannes’ major sections from a Brazilian director, representatives from the Latin American country still arrived confidently at the Marché du Film to build on the extraordinary momentum created by films like last year’s Cannes-winning political drama “The Secret Agent.” Members of the government of São Paulo state were present at the market to spread the word about the great success of their recent investments in film and television and celebrate the release of the first round of films benefited by the pioneering Paulo Gustavo Law.
A post-pandemic recovery initiative named after lauded comic and actor Paulo Gustavo, who tragically died of complications of COVID-19 in 2021, the Paulo Gustavo Law released R$2.8 billion ($571 million) for Brazil’s audiovisual sectors in May of 2023. The cash pot was delivered to the country’s 27 states and 5,000 cities to use in production and distribution incentives or the creation of a local knowledge economy, with the state of São Paulo receiving a $50 million slice.
Last year, the state launched its audiovisual development plan, which included strategic investments in various areas, such as governance, infrastructure, training, funding, and international promotion. Now, the team at the helm of the state initiatives is gearing up to launch a 20-year plan titled Plano de Desenvolvimento da Indústria Audiovisual Paulista, or São Paulo’s Audiovisual Industry Development Plan. That plan, which is expected to be turned into legislation, will ensure the state’s recent efforts to boost the film industry are safeguarded from the volatility of changing federal and state governments.
