Los Angeles, CA – October 27, 2024 – The HBR Film Festival (HBRFF) is proud to announce that the 16th edition of the festival will run from October 29th to November 2nd in Los Angeles, showcasing a rich lineup of Brazilian films and celebrating the diversity of talent within the Brazilian film industry. This year’s festival will open with I’m Still Here, directed by GOLDEN GLOBE® and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Walter Salles. Following the Opening Night screening, there will be a Q&A session with actress Fernanda Torres. The film, written by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega, won Best Screenplay at the Venice Film Festival, and is set to be released by Sony Pictures Classics later this year.  The film has been unanimously selected by the Brazilian Cinema Academy as Brazil’s official submission for Best International Feature at the upcoming Oscars®. The prestigious Opening Night screening will be held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

It was just announced that acclaimed Brazilian singer-songwriter Rodrigo Amarante will perform at the opening ceremony. Known for his rich, haunting voice and poetic lyrics, Amarante solo work has further cemented his reputation, with his debut album Cavalo praised for its introspective lyricism and blend of Brazilian and folk influences. Amarante’s music is celebrated worldwide, especially his contribution to film and television soundtracks. One of his most recognizable works is “Tuyo,” the evocative theme song for the popular Netflix series Narcos, and the soundtrack of His Three Daughters. 

“Brazilian cinema is experiencing an extraordinary moment, with filmmakers creating bold and original works that capture the spirit of our culture. We are thrilled to bring this year’s diverse lineup of films to Los Angeles,” said Talize Sayegh, the festival’s founder and executive director. “We aim to amplify the voices of filmmakers who bring unique and underrepresented perspectives to the screen.”

The festival’s film slate features a variety of screenings presented with the American Cinematheque at the Los Feliz 3 and Aero Theatres including premieres and works from veteran directors and emerging talent. Highlights include Cidade; Campo, directed by Juliana Rojas, which won Best Director at Berlinale’s Encounters; Sundance favorite Malu, directed by Pedro Freire; and Baby, directed by Marcelo Caetano, winner of the Cannes Critics’ Week Prize. 

The festival will feature a special free screening of the complete HBO original series City of God: The Fight Rages On (Cidade de Deus: A Luta Não Para) on November 2, presented by the American Cinematheque at Aero Theatre, followed by a Q&A with director Aly Muritiba. This series serves as a continuation of the celebrated 2002 film City of God, originally adapted by Bráulio Mantovani from Paulo Lins’ novel and directed by Kátia Lund and Fernando Meirelles. The series stars Alexandre Rodrigues, Thiago Martins, Roberta Rodrigues, Sabrina Rosa, Edson Oliveira, Marcos Palmeira, and Andréia Horta.

The festival will present the second edition of its “Think Cinema Think Brazil Lab – Diversity & Inclusion Initiative,” in collaboration with SPCINE, which supports six Indigenous, Black, and LGBTQIA+ filmmakers with mentorship from leading Hollywood industry professionals. This initiative reflects HBRFF’s commitment to providing opportunities for underrepresented talent and aims to address the gap in representation within the Brazilian entertainment industry, where only 2% of professionals are Black, despite 57% of Brazil’s population identifying as such. Last year, the initiative led to numerous successes. Participants, including Tatiana Lohmann, secured an opportunity to pitch her series to NBC, Alicia Marcone won a scholarship to the Stella Adler Academy, and Belize Moefeli was able to pitch her romantic comedy to Film Land.

“With Think Cinema Think Brazil Lab, we’re creating a space that has real impact for underrepresented talent, offering Indigenous, Black, and LGBTQIA+ filmmakers the opportunity to learn and connect directly with Hollywood industry leaders. It’s an essential step toward addressing the disparities in the Brazilian entertainment industry, where diversity is still far from being reflected both on screen and behind the scenes. The success of the first edition showed that, with the right support, these filmmakers can reach new audiences and create more inclusive and representative stories for everyone.”

This year, the festival will continue to foster emerging talent through its filmmaking lab. The lab winner will receive exclusive representation from the acclaimed APA Agency, a critical step toward expanding their career in Hollywood, and assistance with the O-1 visa process, enabling them to bring their unique stories to a global audience. 

Full Line Up

Wed, Oct 30 at 6pm ⁠at Los Feliz Theater

GREICE (110′) 

Directed by Leonardo Mouramateus

Synopsis: Greice, a 21 year old Brazilian girl, studies at Fine Arts university in Lisbon. In the early days of summer, she gets involved with the mysterious guy: Afonso. The couple is accused for a strange accident that occurs at the students welcoming night party. Greice needs to return to Fortaleza, her hometown, to renew her residence permit. Hidden in a hotel, while preventing her mother from discovering the problems in which she was involved and with the help of some friends, Greice tries to find a place of comfort in the world.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1049299411787 

Wed, Oct 30 at 8:30pm at Los Feliz Theater

OESTE OUTRA VEZ / SAME OLD WEST (97′)

Directed by Erico Rassi

Synopsis: In the backlands of Brazil, two men are in love with the same woman. After being abandoned by her, they turn violently against each other. As they confront each other in a lawless and harsh hinterland, other male characters emerge, all sharing some form of romantic frustration in their past. Amidst shootouts and ambushes, a growing sense of abandonment gradually takes hold of all of them.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1049302531117 

Thu, Oct 31 at 6pm ⁠at Los Feliz Theater

CIDADE; CAMPO (119′)

Directed by Juliana Rojas

Synopsis: Two tales of migration between city and countryside. In the first part, after a tailings dam disaster floods her hometown, rural worker Joana moves to São Paulo to find her sister Tania, who lives with her grandson Jaime. Joana struggles to thrive in the “working city.” In the second part, after the death of her estranged father, Flavia moves to his farm with her wife Mara. The nature forces the two women to face frustrations and cope with old memories and ghosts.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1049303955377 

Thu, Oct 31 at 8:30pm ⁠at Los Feliz Theater

NO NOSSO SANGUE / IN OUR BLOOD (89′)

Screening followed by a Q&A with Director Pedro Kos

Synopsis: Nothing is as it seems when filmmaker Emily Wyland (Brittany O’Grady) teams up with cinematographer Danny (E. J. Bonilla) to shoot an intimate documentary about reuniting with Emily’s estranged mother after a decade apart. When her mother suddenly goes missing, possibly succumbing to the addictions that first tore her family apart, Emily and Danny must piece together increasingly sinister clues to find her before it’s too late. 

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1049305991467 

Fri, Nov 1 at 7pm at American Cinematheque’s Los Feliz Theater

⁠MOTEL DESTINO (115′)

Directed by Karim Ainouz

Synopsis: The neon-hued Motel Destino, a roadside sex hotel steaming under the burning blue skies of the northeastern coast of Brazil, is run by hot-headed Elias and his restless younger wife Dayana. The unexpected arrival of 21-year-old Heraldo, on the run after a botched hit, disrupts the established order. As the tropical noir plays out, loyalties and desires intertwine to reveal that destiny has its own enigmatic design.

RSVP: https://www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/motel-destino-11-1-24/ 

Fri, Nov 1 at 10pm ⁠at American Cinematheque’s Los Feliz Theater

MALU (100′)

Screening preceded by intro by Director Pedro Freire

Synopsis: Malu — a mercurial, unemployed actress living with her conservative mother in a precarious house in a Rio de Janeiro slum — tries to deal with her strained relationship with her own adult daughter while surviving on memories of her glorious artistic past.

RSVP: https://www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/malu-11-1-24 

Sat, Nov 2 at 11am⁠ ⁠at American Cinematheque Aero Theatre

CIDADE DE DEUS: A LUTA NÃO PARA / CITY OF GOD: THE FIGHT RAGES ON (6 x 50′)

Presented by American Cinematheque

Screening of all episodes followed by a Q&A with Director Aly Muritiba

Synopsis: 20 years after the film events resulting in the death of the drug lord Zé Pequeno, a lot has changed within the favela known as Cidade de Deus (City of God). Caught in the middle of a dispute between two drug dealers from different generations and the militia, which has been occupying the neighborhoods, the residents of Cidade de Deus strive to build better days through collective resistance.

This is a war of politicians and businessmen interested in dominating the favela and profit from the residents’ suffering. The energies are dispersed, but the death of one of the residents, causes the community to unite around the candidacy of a community leader to resist and confront the oppressor.

RSVP:https://www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/city-of-god-the-fight-rages-on-marathon-11-2-24   

Sat, Nov 2 at 7pm⁠  ⁠BABY (107′) at American Cinematheque’s Los Feliz Theater

Screening followed by a Q&A with Director Marcelo Caetano

Synopsis: After being released from a juvenile detention center, 18-year-old Wellington (Baby) finds himself alone and adrift on the streets of São Paulo, without any contact from his parents and lacking the resources to rebuild his life. He encounters Ronaldo, a mature man, who teaches him new ways of surviving. Gradually, their relationship turns into a conflicting passion.

RSVP:https://www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/baby-11-2-24 

About the HBR Film Festival

The HBR Film Festival (HBRFF) is a rapidly growing festival dedicated to promoting independent Brazilian filmmakers. The festival separates itself from other film festivals by embracing the Brazilian flavor through screenings of the best of Brazilian films, promoting renowned Brazilian talents and its dedication. Every year the festival includes a variety of screenings of some of the year’s top films, panels and workshops that feature award-winning actors, writers and directors, VIP parties and Film business industry. 

For more information, please visit HBR Film Festival.