RioFilme is positioning Rio de Janeiro as a premier destination for international film production, offering substantial financial support to attract high-quality co-production projects and create jobs for local crews.
Sources familiar with the matter say this fund has been in development for over a year, with Edde personally lobbying city officials to secure the full R$15 million allocation — insiders suggest he wanted more but settled for four projects instead of five.
The call for proposals amounts to R$15 million (approximately $3 million USD) and will fund up to four international co-production projects. Leonardo Edde, president of RioFilme, confirmed the details exclusively to Variety on August 11, 2026.
Brazil is making a calculated play for Hollywood's attention — whether your next favorite film gets made in Rio may depend on how these incentives shake out.
Rio de Janeiro's film agency just put its money where its mouth is. RioFilme announced Tuesday at Brazil's Gramado Fest that it will launch a call for proposals worth R$15 million (roughly $3 million) to fund up to four international co-production projects involving Rio-based companies. Leonardo Edde, president of RioFilme, broke the news exclusively to Variety, revealing that the fund targets both fiction and animated feature films. The initiative represents one of Brazil's most aggressive pushes yet to attract foreign production partners and position Rio as a legitimate contender in the global co-production landscape. Projects will need to involve Rio-based companies as primary partners, giving local crews and vendors a direct stake in international productions. The timing is notable — Gramado Fest has become an increasingly important venue for Latin American film industry announcements, drawing producers from across the region who are scouting new locations and funding opportunities. By choosing this stage for the reveal, Edde signaled that RioFilme isn't just chasing any production; it wants serious collaborators with distribution plans beyond Brazil's borders. For international filmmakers, the appeal is clear: favorable exchange rates combined with substantial government backing can stretch a production budget significantly further than shooting in traditional hubs like Los Angeles or London. The catch? Projects must genuinely partner with Rio-based companies and demonstrate meaningful local employment — this isn't a location fee rebate; it's structured as co-production investment. RioFilme's aggressive push comes as competition for international film dollars intensifies across Latin America. Other countries, including Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico, have been expanding their incentive programs to attract Hollywood projects. The R$15 million commitment suggests Rio de Janeiro isn't content to watch from the sidelines — Edde is making it clear that Brazil's second-largest city wants a seat at the big kids' table when major co-productions are greenlit.
