The fruits of these efforts have been visible at major film festivals around the world. Recently, the initiative supported several high-profile projects that have garnered international acclaim. Among these are Allan Deberton’s Gugu’s World, which found success at the Berlinale, and Grace Passô’s Our Secret. The Talent Network itself boasts a roster of directors who have become staples of the international circuit, including Anita Rocha da Silveira (director of the acclaimed Medusa), Juliana Rojas (Good Manners), and Dira Paes (Manas).
The institute’s commitment to the industry continues to evolve and expand. In 2025, Projeto Paradiso took a significant step forward by teaming up with the Embratur Brazilian Tourism Board to launch Screen Brasil. This initiative is focused specifically on the international distribution of Brazilian films. It offers support to four films per year through two distinct calls for submissions—the most recent of which closed in early October. Screen Brasil assists with international distribution campaigns, with submissions handled by the international sales agents who hold the commercial rights to the films.
Announced at the Cannes Marché du Film this past May, the program has already begun backing significant titles. These include Gabriel Mascaro’s The Blue Trail, Rafaela Camelo’s The Nature of Invisible Things, and the animated feature Papaya. By focusing on the distribution phase, the institute is addressing one of the most significant hurdles for Brazilian cinema: ensuring that once a film is made, it actually reaches a global audience.
The relationship between the São Paulo International Film Festival and Projeto Paradiso has only deepened over time. Since 2023, the institute has presented the annual Paradiso Distribution Support Award at the festival, which provides a direct grant for the theatrical release of a fiction feature film within Brazil. Furthermore, in 2024, the institute was a driving force behind a new partnership with the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF), leading to the creation of HBF+Brazil. This program, which grew out of discussions at previous editions of the Encontro de Ideias, provides specific funding for co-productions between Brazil and international partners.
As the São Paulo International Film Festival prepares for its landmark 50th edition, the honoring of Olga Rabinovich stands as a tribute to the power of visionary philanthropy. Her work has proven that private investment, when guided by a deep respect for the artistic process and a strategic understanding of the global market, can provide the stability and growth necessary for a national cinema to thrive. The 50th edition of the festival, running from October 15 to 29, will serve as a backdrop for celebrating these achievements and looking toward the next era of Brazilian storytelling on the world stage.
