The 49th São Paulo International Film Festival joins forces with the British Film Institute (BFI) to build bridges between Brazilian and British audiovisual industries. This partnership brings a series of initiatives designed to foster creative exchange, encourage new co-productions, and increase visibility for films from both countries.
British Films on the Festival Screen
Audiences will have the chance to watch 25 British productions and co-production, with all licensing, translation, and subtitling costs covered by the partnership. Among the titles are award-winning works from major festivals, such as Urchin, by Harris Dickinson, winner of the Prix Un Certain Regard at Cannes; Christy, by Brendan Canty, winner of the Grand Prix in the Berlinale Generation 14plus section; Círculo Reto, by Oscar Hudson, recipient of the Grand Prize at the Venice International Critics’ Week; and Ish, by Imran Perretta, holder of the Audience Award in the same parallel section. Click here to see the full list.
Brazil at the BFI London Film Festival 2025
Jonas Chadarevian, programmer at the São Paulo Festival, will attend the BFI London Film Festival to watch works-in-progress screenings and scout British films nearing completion for potential inclusion in the 2026 edition. Joining him are Brazilian producers Ivan Melo (CUP Filmes), Deborah Osborn (BigBonsai) and Nara Aragão (Carnaval Filmes), who will take part in the Industry Forum with a personalized schedule of meetings with the UK Global Screen Fund, the BFI Filmmaking Fund, and other key industry players. One of the spots is reserved for professionals supported by affirmative action policies.
United Kingdom at the São Paulo Festival 2025
Isabel Moir, programmer at the BFI London Film Festival, will come to São Paulo to attend works-in-progress screenings and seek out Brazilian productions for the 2026 London edition. The British delegation will also include Emily Morgan (producer, Quiddity Films), Denitsa Yordanova (BFI Head of the UK Global Screen Fund) and Akinola Davies Jr. (director of My Father’s Shadow), who will participate in the business rounds of the 5th Audiovisual Ideas Exchange, the Festival’s industry event.
*São Paulo x London was selected through the UK-Brazil Season of Culture open call.