5 things you should know about filming in Brazil in 2023
With pandemic restrictions now lifted in Brazil — and the recent change of government — Story Productions and the filming industry prepare for a fresh new cycle and a busy year ahead. If you have a project in mind, here are five relevant updates that will impact filming in Brazil in 2023:
01 Change in Brazil’s government and the return of cultural incentives
With a controversial anti-culture agenda, former president Jair Bolsonaro had dissolved the Ministry of Culture and blocked incentives worth $200 million for film, TV, music and other creative industries. This January, when President Lula started his term, a new Minister of Culture was announced to head the reopening of the dedicated office and the funds that had been blocked by Bolsonaro’s administration were liberated. Due to his previous mandates, Lula is known for investing heavily in cultural initiatives, so his administration is very likely to ensure support of the film and TV production industry, as well as international co-productions with Brazil.
02 Vaccination requirements and current rules related to Covid-19
The latest update from the National Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) was from November 2022. It states that to enter Brazil you need: proof of complete vaccination against Covid-19 OR an antigen or RT-PCR test carried out one day before departure with a negative or non-detectable result for Covid-19. For proof of vaccination, the single dose or last dose of the primary vaccination schedule must have occurred at least 14 days before the departure date. Documentation should be presented in Portuguese, Spanish or English.
Aside from above the prerequisite to enter Brazil, some establishments within Brazil require a vaccine passport. If you plan to travel to the Amazon, for example, the yellow fever vaccine must be taken at least 10 days before the trip.
To help you to navigate the maze of vaccination protocols, Story Productions can determine precisely what documentation and vaccines are needed based on the location demands of your project.
03 Permits to film and equipment entry into Brazil
All foreign productions that want to film in Brazil must be supervised by a Brazilian production company registered with the national film agency Ancine. Once the Ancine permit is granted through a national company, foreign individuals are allowed to obtain a filming visa to enter Brazil, which then facilitates the importing of film equipment into the country. All foreign productions must acquire an Ancine permit, with the exception of news-related projects.
Besides the filming permit, additional documentation might be required depending on the location within Brazil where you plan to shoot and what your project is about. Extra permits are necessary for projects related to wildlife,
flying drones, unsafe areas and other special situations.
04 Choosing locations: differences from region to region
Brazil is the largest country in South America, and its continental size provides a wide range of possibilities for storytelling — it is important to be aware that there are essential differences between one state (or city) and another in regards to culture, people, safety, road conditions, infrastructure and law.
Consider these differences when you plan your project, especially if it will involve specific needs for casting, scenery or the support structure for a larger team (such as accommodations, meals and hospitals). In addition to this, it’s crucial to evaluate the safety of the shoot locations. In the case of travelling long distances within Brazil, we suggest you plan your budget after checking the costs of domestic flights. As the national companies are still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic, operating with a reduced scope of aircraft and staff, the prices are high and change by the minute.
05 Most important events in Brazil in 2023
The Carnaval in Rio is the first event that comes to mind when people think about Brazil, right? But this country’s rich culture and each region’s individuality go beyond what is already known internationally. Here are the national events of 2023 that are worth experiencing and documenting:
Photo by Stefano Ember for Shutterstock
Carnaval
Happening between February 18-21, 2023. There are parties on the streets all over the country. The most iconic ones that attract bigger crowds happen in the following cities: Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Olinda and Salvador. Each region celebrates Carnaval based on its predominant culture, folklore and history. They are all energetic, stunning open-air parties but they differ in aesthetic, set-up, and music style.
Festa de São João
In June, Brazil celebrates São João (Saint John), with the official day of festivities happening on June 24. Churches all over the country have parties with typical food, music and games that also attract non-religious people.
From chapels to cathedrals, from small neighbourhood versions to massive festivals with park rides and concerts with renowned artists, the whole most is full of celebrations, with the biggest taking place in the following cities: Campina Grande, São João do Caruaru, São Luiz do Maranhão (Bumba Meu Boi festival), Aracaju and Mossoró - all in the north and northeast of Brazil.
Photo by Tatiana Azeviche for SETUR Salvador
Parintins Folklore Festival / Boi-bumbá
Happening in Parintins island — 420 km (261 mi) down the
Amazon River from Manaus, the capital — between June 30 and July 2 this year, this iconic party originated more than a hundred years ago and is based on the region’s folklore. The rivalry between the two bulls, Caprichoso and Garantido, are represented in a three-day mix of party, stunning parade and musical demonstration that makes whoever attends once want to return every year.
We hope that these tips gave you good insights for the year ahead if you have a project in Brazil on the horizon. And if you feel overwhelmed with all the variables, get in touch with Story Productions and we will help smoothly resolve all your needs.
Story Productions is a full-service company, handling everything from permits, location scouting and local fixers, to casting, logistics and post-production. Write to us today and discover how we can assist you with your next project.
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