HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support FAQ

• What is HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support?

  Supported by RioFilme, Spcine and Projeto Paradiso, and managed by the Hubert Bals Fund, the HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support initiative finances up to nine Brazilian feature length fiction projects in early development.

• What is the grant offered by HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support?

  Up to nine project grants of €10,000 each.

• What type of projects is HBF+Brazil looking for?

  HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support targets feature length fiction projects in early development, directed by a Brazilian director and with a Brazilian production company attached. See below FAQ for further detail on the geographical eligibility.

  The artistic quality of an application is the main criteria for selection. The selection committee will also look closely at the viability of a project.

  The HBF is part of International Film Festival Rotterdam and generally speaking, the type of projects that the HBF supports are in line with the type of films that are screened at IFFR. Please see the HBF archive as a reference.

• Who should send the application for HBF+Brazil?

  The main production company should submit the application.

• Is it necessary that a producer is attached to my project when I apply for HBF+Brazil?

  Yes, it is a compulsory condition to apply.

• Considering that HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support is financed by regional agencies in Brazil, are there geographical requirements to consider before applying?

  Yes. You can apply in one of the following cases:

  • with both director and production company from Rio de Janeiro city (max 2 grants);
  • with a production company from Rio de Janeiro city, but a director from outside the city (max 2 grants);
  • with both director and production company from São Paulo city (max 2 grants);
  • with a production company from São Paulo city, but a director from outside the city (max 2 grants);
  • with a director and as a production company outside of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro cities (max 1 grant).

• To clarify, I represent a Brazilian production company located outside São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro cities, and my director is also outside of those cities. Are we eligible to apply?

  Yes, you are eligible. However, please note that of the nine available grants, only one is dedicated to supporting projects not connected to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro cities.

• To clarify, I represent a Brazilian production company located in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, but my director is not from those cities. Do we qualify for the scheme?

  Yes, you are eligible. There are a total of four grants available for projects such yours with the production company set in São Paulo (two grants) or Rio de Janeiro (two grants), and the director not from those areas.

• To clarify, I represent a Brazilian production company outside of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro cities, but my director is from São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. Do we qualify for the scheme?

  Yes, you are eligible. However, please note that of the nine available grants, only one is dedicated to supporting projects where the production company is not connected to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro cities.

• Under what conditions are previous works considered eligible?

  Previous works count as theatrical releases and/or festival selections.

• Am I eligible to apply to the HBF+Brazil: Co-development Fund as a debut director?

  No, this scheme is dedicated to supporting second and third film projects by a director.

• I have only directed one feature-length documentary. Am I eligible?

  No, only fiction features are considered as a first film.

• If this is my fourth fiction film, am I eligible?

  No, this scheme is dedicated to supporting your second or third film project only.

• Is a co-directed project eligible?

  Yes, provided both directors are Brazilian citizens. Both directors needs to individually comply with the eligibility criteria such as having directed at least one fiction film and having not directed more than two films before.

• I have co-directed a fiction feature film. Am I eligible with my next solo project?

  The track record of the director only counts fully-directed films, not co-directed films. Therefore, you are not eligible as your project qualifies as your debut as a solo director. Only if your project is co-directed within the same filmmakers duo, it is eligible as considered the second fiction project for both directors.

• I am a filmmaker with a permanent resident permit in Brazil. Am I eligible?

  No, only Brazilian citizens, and not permanent residents, are eligible for this scheme.

• Can I submit a documentary project for HBF+Brazil?

  No, the scheme is open only to fiction projects.

• Can I submit an animation project for HBF+Brazil?

  Yes, animation projects are eligible.

• Can a production company submit more than one project for a selection round?

  No, each applicant producer may submit a maximum of one projects per annual round.

• What if there are more than one eligible projects by the same director, but backed by two different production companies?

  In the case where there are more than one project by the same director, only one will be pre-selected and selected.

• My project has secured development funding from Spcine or RioFilme. Am I eligible?

  Yes. Projects which meet all eligibility criteria and have some development funding secured from one of the partners of this initiative or from other institutions are allowed to apply.

• Upon which criteria will my project be evaluated for HBF+Brazil?

  Artistic quality of a project is the main focus in the assessment process, however the selection committee will also take into consideration the current status of the project such as the originality, feasibility, cultural significance and (international) co-production appeal of the project.

• Can we receive feedback why our project was not selected for HBF+Brazil?

  No, due to the number of applications the HBF team is not able to provide feedback. If your project is not eligible, you will receive a specific email notification but no further details will be shared.

• Can the selection committee’s decisions be appealed?

  No, the selection committee’s decisions cannot be appealed.

• What does the HBF expect in return for selection for HBF+Brazil?

  The HBF asks for a few things in return for its support, after a supported film is finished. Firstly a front credit with the HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support logo in the film. Besides this, the World, International or Benelux premiere of the film should take place at International Film Festival Rotterdam, and no screening fees should be charged. The Benelux rights of the film remain with the rights-holder of the film. However, if no distribution agreement with a Benelux distributor is concluded within six months after the World premiere of the film, the Benelux exploitation rights are transferred to HBF. The HBF also asks non-exclusive world VOD rights of the film, to ensure that the film can at some point (after potential exclusive deals) be included in online IFFR curated content.

• When is the deadline to apply for HBF+Brazil?

  15 September, 23.59 CEST (Amsterdam time).

• I applied to the 2024 HBF Development scheme, am I eligible to apply to the HBF+Brazil scheme with the same project?

  No. For the pilot edition of this initiative, you are not eligible to apply if the project was previously submitted to the 2024 or any other previous round of the HBF Development scheme.

• I applied to the 2025 HBF Development scheme, am I eligible to apply to the HBF+Brazil scheme with the same project?

  Yes. For the pilot edition of this initiative, you are eligible to apply to 2025 rounds of both schemes with the same project.

• If my project received an HBF Development grant in 2025 or in the past, is it still eligible for HBF+Brazil: Co-development Support?

  No – we would like as many projects as possible to benefit from international visibility and seed money so will not provide support to the same project through both development schemes.

Selection process

• How is the selection process structured for HBF+Brazil?

  Phase 1: The Hubert Bals Fund application form allows applicants to submit general information about their project. The form is available one week before the deadline.

  Phase 2: Within seven weeks after the deadline, the HBF selection committee will reach a decision on all submissions. All projects will receive an e-mail notification about the results.

  Those projects that have passed the first phase will be asked to submit their full dossier. You have one week to submit the complete dossier after notification, via the instructions shared by the HBF team. It is not possible to extend this one week period, therefore we recommend that you make sure you have the materials available.

• When is the deadline to apply for HBF+Brazil?

  15 September, 23.59 CEST (Amsterdam time).

• When will the application form be available?

  The application form will be available one week before the deadline.

  If you want to prepare your application in advance, you can find the information requested in the application form in the questions below.

• What information is required in the application form?

  The Hubert Bals Fund application form allows applicants to submit detailed information about their project. The form is available one week before the deadline. The following information is required in the form:

  • General info: title, production country/ies, type of film.
  • Film credits: name and contact details of director, and if applicable, of (co-)producer, writer, financier, sales agent.
  • Declaration of eligibility, signed by the producer (see template attached to the application form).
  • Technical info: running time, shooting format, colour/b&w, languages.
  • Financial info: total budget (in Euro), financing already secured (it is possible to add an explanation in the Remarks field).
  • Project info: logline (max. 60 words), synopsis (max 500 words), director’s statement (max 1,500 words), sold territories, link to one piece of previous work, most successful recent festival selections and awards for director and producer (list max. 3 titles).
  • If a project gets preselected, the submitted project dossier must include details on IP ownership and/or deal memo.
  • Insights on development status (confirmed financing, labs/markets attendance etc).

• When will I be notified on the results of phase one?

  Within eight weeks after the deadline, the HBF selection committee will reach a decision on all submissions. Projects will receive an email notification informing them if they will proceed to the next phase, with the request to submit their full dossier.

• How much time will I have to prepare the dossier?

  For preselected projects, you have one week to submit the complete dossier after notification, via the instructions shared by the HBF team. It is not possible to extend this one week period, therefore we recommend that you make sure you have the materials available.

• What information is required in the dossier for the HBF+Brazil?

  The following materials should be included in the project dossier:

  • Synopsis (max. 2 pages)
  • Treatment (max. 12 pages, sending in a script instead of a treatment is not allowed)
  • Director’s biography and filmography (max. 2 pages)
  • Director’s statement (max. 3 pages)
  • Director’s visual concept and artistic approach (max. 2 pages)
  • Producer’s biography and filmography (max. 2 pages)
  • Producer’s statement (max. 2 pages)
  • Details and/or deal memo on intellectual property ownership (max. 1 page)
  • Total Budget and budget for script and project development phase (max. 1 page)
  • Financial plan for total production (max. 1 page)
  • Written explanation on finance strategy (max. 1 page)
  • Development schedule (max. 1 page)
  • Previous audiovisual work of the director: online available on streaming platform (such as Vimeo and/or YouTube)
  • Optional: visual reference material (moodboard, teaser, reference pictures- max. 5 pages)

  As well as:

  • If the director is based in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo cities, two proofs of residency are required to assess the eligibility: e.g. water, electricity, gas, internet or telephone bills, or bank statement: the first one should refer to 2 years ago and the other one should be more recent. In accordance with GDPR, such personal information will be deleted once the selection process is finalised.
  • Proof of company registration under CNPJ – Cadastro Nacional de Pessoas Jurídicas.

  Besides the page restriction for some documents, there are no specific requirements regarding dossier format, font (size) and spacing. These materials should be compiled into one PDF document. All materials should be written in English.

  Only complete dossiers will be taken into consideration.