Rio Filmes Launches $20M Production Fund

RioFilme, the film and television company of Rio de Janeiro, is set to launch its largest incentive package this year, totaling R$100 million ($20 million). This significant funding, announced on October 1, will support various aspects of the film and TV industry, including production, development, distribution, and international co-productions.

The incentive package is structured into six distinct lines. A substantial portion will fund at least 20 feature fiction and animation film productions, while other lines will support live-action series, documentary works, and development projects for cinema, TV, and streaming.

A notable addition this year is a R$3 million line dedicated to at least four international co-production projects for fiction and animated feature films. While most funding requires a Rio-based company as the leading producer, international co-productions are eligible even with a minority stake from local companies.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to establish Rio de Janeiro as a premier world film and TV production hub. The city has seen a significant increase in international productions, surpassing locations like Paris and Mexico City in filming days.

The funding originates from the Fundo Setorial do Audiovisual (FSA), managed by the National Cinema Agency (Ancine), through an agreement with RioFilme. This marks the second collaboration between the two entities to decentralize FSA funds. Companies can apply starting October 2, with selections made in the fourth quarter of this year, and funds expected to be available in early 2027.