São Paulo Renews Cash Rebate Program

Spcine, which is focused on developing the TV, film, gaming and new-media sectors in São Paulo, has greenlit a second edition of its cash rebate program to support productions in the Brazilian city.

The program has an $8 million fund to support local and international productions that shoot in São Paulo, offering a 30-percent cash rebate. The scheme was first introduced last year.

Ricardo Nunes, mayor of São Paulo, said: “I am excited to see São Paulo innovating once again through our cash rebate, not only because it takes our city and state to screens around the world, but also to generate income and opportunities for our population. I am surprised by the different stories I find daily in São Paulo, thanks to my position that puts me in direct contact with the population. São Paulo is a very cinematic city: in addition to being a metropolis with the most modern and urban features, it also has its unique spaces of nature. When it comes to diversity, I’d say that it is in the DNA of our population, formed by so many immigrants from different countries and also by the indigenous communities that live here. The cash rebate will be able to show the unique stories of São Paulo and at the same time foster the city’s economy in several sectors, not just the audiovisual one. That’s the magic of the creative economy and why it’s one of our city’s top priorities.”

Aline Torres, secretary of culture for São Paulo, added: “The audiovisual industry plays a key role in the culture of São Paulo. It is the window through which the world can see the richness of our city and its diverse histories. And for São Paulo to continue advancing in the sector, through public policies, we launched the Cash Rebate in partnership with the São Paulo state government. We have increased resources to further extend the program and look forward to receiving more high-potential projects. In the first edition of our cash rebate program, among the projects that received the funds, we had three outstanding productions with international potential to take São Paulo to screens around the globe. Through Spcine and the Municipal Secretary of Culture, we are working to build partnerships with the various agents of the audiovisual industry, from below-the-line professionals, indispensable in the making of any audiovisual production, to big producers and other above-the-line professionals that work in constant exchange with the international market.”

Viviane Ferreira, president director of Spcine, said: “The São Paulo cash rebate brings innovative aspects to attract international productions. The contemplated projects, evaluated using a scoring matrix with objective criteria, will be able to start receiving the resources right after signing the contracts. Diversity and sustainability come in to make sure that more equitable film productions are selected.”