Three Rio de Janeiro-backed films selected for 2026 Shanghai Film Festival

Three films backed by RioFilme, the municipal film and audiovisual agency of Rio de Janeiro, will screen at the 2026 Shanghai Film Festival. Alan Minas’s “Luiza’s Desert” enters the main competition, Eliza Capai’s “The Fabulous Time Machine” plays in the Focus Brazil section, and Rogerio Nunes’s “Heart of Darkness” appears in the animation section.

The Focus Brazil section forms part of the 2026 China-Brazil Year of Culture.

’s Union Content. Begin Again Films handles sales for the title. Alan Minas said the film was conceived within a Brazilian context, specifically Rio de Janeiro. He added that the story addresses mental health and care beyond diagnosis.

“I believe that, despite the geographical distance and the cultural differences, this distance can be made smaller thanks to the themes of the film,” Minas stated. The film follows 15-year-old Luiza, who lives in Rio de Janeiro and dreams of becoming an artist.

After she befriends a local graffiti group, her mother suffers an acute schizophrenic episode, leaving Luiza responsible for holding the family together.

Daniela Vitorino, producer of “Luiza’s Desert” via Caraminhola Filmes, said RioFilme served as co-producer and supported distribution. She noted that the agency has maintained a regular funding calendar and increased resources every year. ” Public policies established by President Lula changed conditions in the town.

SplitScreen handles sales, and Amana Cine produced the film. Capai said the film cites China twice. “The film cites China twice, so we are thrilled to be at the festival and it is a huge prestige and pride for us to be selected,” she stated.