Screen Brasil Selects Allan Deberton’s ‘Gugu’s World’ and Grace Passô’s ‘Our Secret’ for International Distribution Support

Screen Brasil, the prominent collaborative initiative spearheaded by Brazil’s tourism promotion agency Embratur and the philanthropic organization Projeto Paradiso to champion the global circulation of Brazilian feature films, has officially announced its latest two selections. The chosen projects are Allan Deberton’s “Gugu’s World” and Grace Passô’s “Our Secret,” a pair of critically acclaimed works that have made significant waves across the international and domestic film circuits over the past year.

The high-profile selection was revealed during an industry panel held as part of the Industry Days programming at the prestigious São Paulo International Film Festival. Both chosen films embarked on their international journeys earlier in the year with celebrated premieres at the Berlinale, subsequently building strong festival trajectories. Notably, Deberton’s “Gugu’s World” has been selected as Brazil’s official submission for Best International Feature at the 2027 Academy Awards, marking a major milestone for the production. Meanwhile, Passô’s film has continued to collect critical accolades, most notably winning the coveted Kikito Award for Best Film at the esteemed Gramado Film Festival.

Under the terms of the Screen Brasil initiative, each selected film will be awarded $15,000 in financial support. This targeted funding is designed to offset critical expenses associated with international theatrical and digital rollouts, including subtitling, comprehensive marketing campaigns, specialized publicity efforts, and broader audience-building initiatives tailored to their respective target territories.

The geographic distribution strategies for the two films highlight distinct international markets. “Gugu’s World” will direct its support toward securing and expanding its theatrical and public release in Spain, with international sales for the film managed by the Germany-based sales agent M-Appeal. On the other hand, “Our Secret,” which marks the feature-length directorial debut of celebrated Brazilian actor and playwright Grace Passô—who has also maintained a prominent onscreen presence this year in Gabriel Martins’ “On Behalf of Our Son” and Ricardo Alves Jr.’s “The French Teacher”—will receive distribution backing focused on the United States and Canada. International sales for Passô’s directorial debut are handled by Italy-based sales company The Open Reel.

First unveiled during the Rio Film Festival, Screen Brasil was established with the core mission of strengthening the global reach and circulation of Brazilian cinema, while simultaneously introducing international audiences to the nation’s profound cultural diversity and dynamic creative industries. The initiative represents a strategic alliance between Embratur, which leverages culture and the creative economy to promote the country abroad, and Projeto Paradiso, an organization committed to propelling the careers of Brazilian audiovisual professionals onto both national and international stages.

The program forms a vital component of Embratur’s wider strategy to utilize tourism, arts, and culture as diplomatic and economic drivers. Christiano Braga, Embratur’s audiovisual and creative economy coordinator, underscored the multifaceted value of supporting cinematic exports during the panel announcement.

Supporting the international distribution of Brazilian cinema turns feature films into key showcases for promoting Brazil’s soft power, Braga explained. On screens worldwide, these productions introduce foreign audiences to our rich biomes, culinary scene, and cultural heritage. This approach captures the interest of international travelers, drives the creation of specialized travel itineraries, and positions the country as a welcoming hub for film and TV productions, boosting local economies through screen tourism.

The initiative directly addresses a persistent structural hurdle faced by Latin American cinema: securing visibility and financial viability beyond the initial festival debut. Rachel do Valle, program director at Projeto Paradiso, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the pragmatic goals of the funding partnership.

International recognition at festivals is an important first step, but ensuring that Brazilian films reach audiences beyond the festival circuit remains a major challenge, do Valle noted. Through Screen Brasil, we want to help bridge that gap, supporting distributors and sales agents in bringing Brazilian stories to new markets and building a more sustainable international presence for our cinema.

The latest announcement builds upon the momentum established by Screen Brasil’s inaugural edition earlier this year in May, when the initiative named its very first batch of supported projects. That initial round included “Papaya,” directed by Priscilla Kellen, with international sales handled by Best Friend Forever; “The Blue Trail,” directed by Gabriel Mascaro, with international sales handled by Lucky Number; and “The Nature of Invisible Things,” directed by Rafaela Camelo, with international sales managed by The Open Reel.

Looking ahead, the organizers have confirmed that Screen Brasil will open a second round of applications for its expanded sophomore edition during the first half of 2027. This timing has been intentionally chosen to align more closely with the operational cycles of international sales negotiations, distribution planning, and major festival markets. Filmmakers, producers, and rights holders seeking comprehensive guidelines and application procedures can access full details directly through the initiative’s official website, hosted by Embratur Lab.