Please wait...
Please wait...

Brazil ratifies UK copro pact

Brazil has finally ratified the UK coproduction treaty that could pave the way for new TV and film collaborations between the two countries.

The deal was first unveiled in 2012 after discussions between the British Film Institute and Ancine, the Brazilian Film Agency.

Film and television productions that qualify under the terms of the treaty will be able to access the benefits of national status in each country.

In Brazil these include tax incentives, all federal public funds and access to favourable pay television terms, while in the UK qualifying productions will be able to access the UK’s creative sector tax reliefs across film and television and to apply to the BFI Film Fund.

Brazil has been suffering from an economic slump over the past 18 months, which has delayed the treaty and stunted the growth of its previously booming pay TV sector.

The country’s free TV landscape is dominated by Globo and Rede Record, while international firms such as A+E and Discovery operate in pay.

Pay TV companies in Brazil must, however, abide by an indie quota that requires them to broadcast at least three-and-a-half hours of local content each week, with UK copros eligible within that mix.

Ratification of the treaty comes after increasing links were built between the two countries, including an agreement signed by trade bodies Pact in the UK and ABPITV in Brazil to promote closer ties between the independent production sectors.

That agreement aimed to promote the coproduction of films, television and other audiovisual content by Brazilian and UK filmmakers, and to encourage on-location filming in the South American country.

RELATED ARTICLES

Please wait...