Beta film comes to Brazil, with support from Janeiro Studios

As Brazil rebuilds itself as Latin America’s leading production power, German film-TV giant Beta Film has made its first move outside Europe, backing Janeiro Studios, based in Rio and led by former Beta Film CEO Koby Gal Raday and Rio Fest head Ilda Santiago.

A fourth partner will be MyMama Entertainment from Brazilian producer Mayra Faour Auad.

Gal Raday will serve as CEO, Santiago as MD.

With the launch of the studios, Brazil’s film and TV world is in its first full bloom of growth, fueled by government funding and more likely to come.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva unveiled plans last week at Rio’s Quanta Studios to invest R$1.6 billion ($295 million) in Brazilian films and series by 2025. The sector already receives $516 million in Paul Gustavo Law funding, a measure that was previously greenlit. Lula came to power.

Janeiro Studios tackles Brazil’s biggest challenge as a film-TV power. Big-name authors – Karim Aïnouz and Kleber Mendonça Filho – have both made two appearances in the main competition at Cannes and have broken through to cinema release abroad.

Yet Brazil as an industry has not been able to export more commercial offerings outside of the global streamer game.

Munich-based Beta Film is behind ‘Babylon Berlin’ and ‘The Swarm’ and is synonymous with ambition and event titles.

“After expanding our network of partners and subsidiaries across Europe, we are ready to move abroad,” says Jan Motjo, head of Beta Film. “Together with Koby, Ilda and MyMama Entertainment, we want to explore new opportunities and business models in Brazil and South America and create programs for the world.”

Janeiro Studios will focus on premium scripted series and feature films from Brazil and Latin America, as well as international high-end projects from top talents, the partners announced on June 27. Beta Film can provide Janeiro Studios with an international interface that most Brazilian companies lack.

“In this globally challenging market, I truly believe that South America and Brazil are at the right time to champion the work of emerging and established local filmmakers, connect international talents to create within these exciting local industries and promote innovative models of collaboration and explore co-production. and creation both locally and internationally,” said Gal Raday.

The partners appear ready to deliver projects on a scale and with an ambition that Brazilian companies have only begun to tackle in the first few years. Netflix’s “Senna” bows later this year; Ventre Studios announced Carlos Saldanha open sea epic “100 Days” earlier this week.

“This new international connection opens new doors for Brazil and our industry, welcoming stories and talent from abroad to explore Brazil’s potential,” Santiago said.

“In my experience, both in Brazil and abroad, it is time that we build and develop bridges for larger productions. Brazil is ready to push its creative and commercial boundaries, and the international market now expects this from us,” said Faour Auad.