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Brazilian Director Develops Berlinale Short Into Feature Film
Brazilian director Laís Santos Araújo is expanding her short film Infantaria into a feature. The project has received support from the Cannes Cinéfondation Residence and a CNC writing grant.
May 19, 4:38 AM·1m read1 source
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Brazilian director Laís Santos Araújo is developing her short film Infantaria into a feature-length project. Producer Pedro Krull of Aguda Cinema is guiding the film through the Cannes Cinéfondation Residence and additional European development programs.
The story is set in Alagoas in Brazil’s Northeast and centers on a seamstress named Ludmilla who operates an underground abortion service. The feature will maintain the short’s focus on family dynamics while shifting to a faster pace and more mobile visual style.
The project received a CNC writing grant after a pitching session judged by Gabrielle Dumon, Payal Kapadia and Hédi Zardi. It has also been selected for La Fabrique Cinéma, BrLab, CineMundi and MAFF. Araújo previously participated in the Paradiso Incubator, which provided script consultation and market preparation.
She described the Cannes residency as valuable for connecting with filmmakers including Luc Dardenne and Kelly Reichardt.
The planned budget is €880,000 with €590,000 already secured. The team is seeking additional European partners during the current Cannes market. Krull noted that Aguda Cinema focuses on emerging filmmakers from Alagoas and that recent federal policies have increased funding access for the Northeast region. He said the company is developing projects with young authors from the area.
