Brazil
From the bustling streets of São Paulo to the lush greenery of the Amazon rainforest, Brazil is a country of contrasts, making it ideal for filming all sorts of productions. Iconic sights such as the Christ the Redeemer statue or colourful Copacabana beach look amazing on film, or you can choose to shoot in one of the countries untouched mountain areas where many action and adventure movies have been set.
Work permits & eligibility for filming in Brazil
Every foreign production filming in Brazil must register with ANCINE, the national film agency that regulates the audiovisual sector, and a central eligibility requirement is the use of local crew. Foreign productions must hire Brazilian technicians alongside their incoming team, and official co-productions go further: at least two-thirds of the artistic and technical crew must be Brazilian nationals or long-term residents. Whichever route applies to your project, you will need local crew in place, and so you will need someone to arrange for the required crew to get to your filming location.
NEEDaFIXER BRAZIL have a huge database of contacts in the country, from directors and producers to technical staff, runners, and anyone else you might need for a successful shoot. You can leave it to us to source the crew you need, communicate with them, and arrange the practicalities such as transport.
You can leave it to us to source the crew you need, communicate with them, and arrange the practicalities such as transport.
Brazil has a thriving local film industry, and generally the government is pleased to grant permits to film in major cities or out in remote locations. However, it can take a while to get permission to close busy streets, and some days it’s simply not practical to film in the busy city centres.
That’s where NEEDaFIXER BRAZIL and their extensive local knowledge come in useful. We can look at the plan for shooting, make suggestions about where and when to film, and chase up permits in a timely fashion.
If you need to film in remote locations such as the rainforest, then we can take care of practicalities such as sourcing the right equipment. We are always up to date with the latest technology, including the use of drones for those sweeping shots of the Amazon.
Brazil has provided a spectacular backdrop for movies such as James Bond’s Moonraker, Miami Vice, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Many documentaries about the rainforest have been filmed in and around Brazil, and popular TV shows such as An Idiot Abroad and The Amazing Race have filmed episodes in Brazil.
The foreign producer and local producer model
Filming in Brazil as an overseas company means working through a Brazilian producer: Brazil requires every foreign production to register through a local partner. A foreign producer cannot register a shoot directly: the foreign producer must partner with a local producer, a Brazilian company registered with ANCINE, which carries the project through the official process. The Brazilian producer signs a co-production contract setting out each party’s responsibilities, files the paperwork with ANCINE and the labour authorities, and reports on the foreign producer’s behalf throughout the shoot.
This is exactly the role NEEDaFIXER BRAZIL plays. As your local producer we sit between you and the Brazilian authorities, so that foreign producers can focus on the creative work while we handle ANCINE registration, the Brazilian crew quota and on-the-ground logistics. Pairing an experienced Brazilian producer with your incoming team is the most reliable way to keep a production on schedule and fully compliant.
Fixers in Brazil
Brazil has a lot of potential locations for filming, and if you don’t have a specific spot in mind then NEEDaFIXER BRAZIL can use their extensive local knowledge to help you find the right place.
Rio De Janeiro is a colourful, high-rise city that is surrounded by mountains, and this has made it a popular spot for action movies and gritty dramas. Colonial towns such as Ouro Preto with its white buildings and red roofs make a rustic backdrop, while along the coast you’ll find plenty of untouched beach. Brazil has a vibrant film industry, and a handful of bigger studios such as O2 Filmes and Bossa Nova Films working with talent from across the globe.
What can our fixers in Brazil do for you?
There are a few challenges to filming in Brazil, but with the right local producer they are straightforward to plan around. The first is the language barrier, which can put off potential filmmakers, as the main language of Brazil is Portuguese.
Foreign filmmakers will also need to work with a local Brazilian production company, and so you’ll need the contacts that NEEDaFIXER BRAZIL can provide to get your project off the ground. It’s also important to have local knowledge when you film in Brazil. Filming across South America? We also cover filming in Argentina.
For example, it’s often difficult to film in the city centres during weekdays, and some areas of the rainforest can be difficult to access by road, so will require travel by boat. By using the services of NEEDaFIXER BRAZIL, you can be sure that things run smoothly, and that you don’t run into any issues.
Brazilian Filming Locations
- Rio De Janeiro – This vibrant city has been the backdrop of Fast & Furious 5, The Expendables, and The Incredible Hulk.
- Iguaçu Falls – These dramatic waterfalls have been seen in many famous movies including Moonraker and the 2006 remake of Miami Vice.
- Paraty – Recently featured in Twilight: Breaking Dawn, the colonial town of Paraty has unspoilt beaches, rustic streets, and historic buildings. Just off the coast you’ll find lots of small islands that would make great filming locations.
- São Paulo – High rise São Paulo has modern buildings and bridges, making it ideal for city scenes. It has been used in gritty dramas and thrillers.
Rio de Janeiro
Ringed by mountains and ocean, Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil’s most filmed locations, equally suited to action sequences, gritty urban drama and bright tourism content. Our Rio-based crew know which permits and lead times the city’s busy districts and beaches require.
São Paulo
São Paulo is Brazil’s commercial powerhouse and the heart of its production industry, with the deepest pool of local crew, studios and equipment. Its high-rise skyline and modern infrastructure make it a natural base for filming in Brazil at scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How easy is it to get permits?
It’s pretty easy to obtain a filming permit in Brazil. All applications are filed through the Ministry of Culture and are usually processed between two days to a week. If you wish to shoot in the major cities, it’s best to film during the weekends when traffic is less busy. A week is also needed to grant a permit to lockdown certain streets.
Do I need a visa or work permit?
Yes. Work visas are necessary for foreign professionals on commercial productions. The process runs through ANCINE, Brazil’s national film agency: the foreign producer first partners with a Brazilian production company registered with ANCINE, and that local producer applies to ANCINE on the foreign producer’s behalf, submitting the co-production contract, a shooting plan and passport details for each foreign crew member. ANCINE typically responds within five business days when the paperwork is complete. Once the eligibility requirements are met, ANCINE notifies the relevant Brazilian diplomatic representation abroad, which then grants entry visas to the foreign crew. NEEDaFIXER BRAZIL acts as your local producer and manages this ANCINE registration end to end, so your team arrives with the correct visas in place. If you require any other info, please get in contact with your local embassy.
Can I hire equipment once there?
You can indeed. HD cameras, cranes, remote heads and camera-cars are just some of the equipment you can hire. Arri is the predominant provider, but Panavision and Aaton is also available should you need it.
What is the climate like?
Thanks to the huge vast of land Brazil covers, the country differs enormously weather-wise. The south of the country has a four-season climate whereas land close to the Amazon is extremely wet. The majority of Brazil, however, is sub-tropical due to the close proximity to the equator.
Is there anything I should know about health and safety?
Tap water is not recommended for drinking in most of Brazil, so productions should budget for bottled or filtered water on location, particularly for crew working long days in the heat. Check that your team’s routine vaccinations are up to date and seek current advice on yellow fever and other regional precautions before travelling, especially for shoots in the Amazon. NEEDaFIXER BRAZIL can advise on local conditions for each filming location.
Testimonials
Davo McConville Katarzyna Chmielarz ’You guys were amazing! You delivered perfectly at short notice in a foreign country, introduced us to lovely crew in both and really went the extra mile in making sure it was all taken care of and confirmed properly. I can’t thank you enough and look forward to working together again.’
’I have met NEEDaFIXER in Greece! It was LOVE from the first sight. Since then, I cannot imagine my production without them! They are like Family! Always helpful. Always happy. Always with loads of energy… & always with PASSION for what they do!’
