Why you should choose “Brazil’s Hollywood” to shoot for your next production

Gabriel Toueg • 25 May 2023

Avoiding stereotypes while location scouting in Brazil may be a creative solution to find stunning scenery far from the country’s well-known venues. Learn about the “Roliúde Nordestina” (the Northeast Hollywood), which has staged over 50 productions.

Cabaceiras' rocky landscape
Cabaceiras' landscape with puddles and greenery

Filmmakers everywhere — whether they have been to this country or not — can agree on one thing: Brazil is a great location for shooting commercials, documentaries, news pieces and films. This South American country offers diverse landscapes, and a festive, welcoming population.


Avoiding the conventional locations when scouting in Brazil, you could discover unique backdrops for filming far from the local cultural and creative centres, such as the megacity of São Paulo, the sunny tropical beaches of Rio de Janeiro and Recife, or the jungles of the Amazon. In Brazil’s hinterland, one town in particular has become famous for its breath-taking landscapes.


Cabaceiras is roughly 220 kilometres (130 miles) from the state capital of Paraíba, João Pessoa. Since 1929, it has been the location for over 50 productions, including films, soap operas, and TV series. No wonder the 5,000 inhabitants of the city nicknamed it "the Northeastern Hollywood", but with their own local flair: Roliúde.


Cabaceiras is also called Movie Set City, and is a great option for filming in Brazil.

What draws filmmakers to Cabaceiras

Cabaceiras' mountainous landscape with a wooden house in the forefront

The most acclaimed production shot in Cabaceiras, is Guel Arraes’s O Auto da Compadecida (A Dog’s Will, 2000). The film is one among many that have brought massive filming crews to the city. It’s not a random choice: the city holds many of elements that filmmakers need while location scouting:

  • Brazil’s lowest rainfall levels (especially from June to January);
  • Ideal light conditions for filming: few clouds, translating to longer shooting time during the day and plenty of natural light;
  • Well-preserved 18th-century multicoloured colonial buildings, turning the city into a real scenic spot;
  • Local residents who can act as extras.
Cabaceiras City Hall, blue and yellow building

Not by chance, similar conditions attracted filmmakers to the original Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, in the 1920s.


Just like Los Angeles’ Hollywood, Cabaceiras has a huge sign reading Roliúde at the top of a hillock, just at the entrance to the city – it’s indeed one of the favourite spots for tourists to take selfies. Just nearby stands a strong mandacaru, a cactus typical of the northeastern outback.


Although Guel Arraes’s movie made the place famous, the first movie shot in Cabaceiras dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. In 1929, the short film Sob o Céu Nordestino was a pioneer in using the location's great conditions for filming. Since then, over 50 productions have been shot in Cabaceiras.

What to see in Cabaceiras

abaceiras not only offers amazing landscapes, but a Film Route as well, through which you can get a closer look at how Movie Set City developed, meet locals who acted as extras in films, and become familiar with some of its landmarks.

Cabaceiras' church

One not-to-be-missed attraction is the city’s Filming Memorial (Memorial Cinematográfico), which shelters items used in productions, scripts, photos, and testimonials. You can also watch some of the productions shot in Cabaceiras – the building used to be a movie screening room.


The museum is located next to the town’s church, the scenery of the famous O Auto da Compadecida.

Some of the films shot in Cabaceiras

The Dog's Will movie poster
'Cinema, Aspirina e Urubus' movie poster
'O Mágico di Ó' movie poster

O Auto da Compadecida                    Cinema Aspirinas e Urubus                                O Magico Di Ó

(Comedy,2000)                                  (Drama, 2005)                                  (Adventure, 2020)

Photo by Globo Filmes                      Photo by Dezenove Filmes                  Photo by Boa Ideia Entreteniment

With Brazil’s lowest rainfall levels and ideal light conditions for filming, Cabaceiras is known as the country’s Roliúde, the local pronunciation of “Hollywood”. Similar to Los Angeles, these conditions draw filmmakers to Cabaceiras.


If you are excited to shoot in the Roliúde Nordestina, Story Productions can help you. We are your co-production partner in Brazil, a full-service company, handling permits, location scouting and local fixers, casting, logistics and post-production.


As Brazil’s pandemic restrictions have been lifted, the country is experiencing an influx of activity in the filming industry. With plenty of events and celebrations on offer, be sure to check out our calendar so you won’t miss any of them!

City of Cabaceiras

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