The Brazil California Chamber of Commerce (BCCC) hosted its annual event on the Brazilian TV, Film, and Video on Demand Industry, convening top stakeholders of the sector to discuss the imminent legal and regulatory challenges in the digital environment, as well as opportunities and incentives for partnership productions in Brazil. The event took place on October 31st 2017, at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles.
For the first time in its history, the BCCC had the Brazilian Minister of Culture, Sergio Sá Leitão, debating with international players on how to improve the exchange between both countries. Speakers included renowned executives from Disney and Warner Brothers, aside from the Motion Picture Association Brazil and several prominent professionals in the industry. Among more than 100 participants, there were American and Brazilian producers, writers, agents, actors, and lawyers.
The event was a great opportunity to learn from and connect with influential professionals in the industry and enhance partnerships between Brazilians and Americans in an increasingly globalized business.
According to recent reports, Brazil's audiovisual sector contributed an estimated BRL $23 billion (USD $7,5 billion) to the economy in 2016, representing 0.57 percent of the nation’s total GDP. That is comparable to other important sectors of Brazil’s economy such as tourism and sports. Studies also point out that the audiovisual industry directly employed approximately 170,000 Brazilians in 2014, generating BRL $4.2 billion (USD $1.35 billion) in wages, and indirectly supporting additional 328,000 jobs.
The Brazil California Chamber of Commerce thanks their main sponsor, the Motion Pictures Association and Andressa Pappas, for the support and presentation, as well as thanks the amazing contribution of the Brazilian Minister of Culture, Sérgio Sá Leitão, and all the other great speakers, Marc Gareton (Warner Brothers Executive Vice President, International Productions), Fabio Lima (Sofa Digital), Robert Muller (Cypress LLP), MaryAnn Hughes (Disney’s VP of Film Production Planning), Steve Solot (Executive Director of Brazilian Film Commission - Rebrafic), Felipe Cusnir (Director of International Trade, Los Angeles Mayor's Office), Priscila Miranda (Fenix Distribution Company), Aaron Berger (Chatrone LLC), Mauricio Mota (Wise Entertainment), Fabio Cesnik (Cesnik, Quintino & Salinas Advogados) and Talize Sayegh (Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival).
A special thanks goes to the Consulate General of Brazil in Los Angeles, Cesnik Quintino & Salinas and UCLA - Center for Brazilian Studies for supporting the event, and to the BCCC’s team including Patrick Benedek (BCCC’s President), Mayara Aloy-Cunha (Event Coordinator and Business Outreach) and the volunteers Dominique Marie Lebl do Amaral and Larissa Ricci, for all the help organizing the event and making it happen.
About the BCCC:
The Brazil-California Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization, based in Los Angeles, that fosters business relations and trade between Brazil and California, provides advocacy initiatives and facilitates dialogue between the U.S. and Brazil’s business communities.
About the Media & Entertainment Committee:
The Committee serves as an impartial forum to promote trade, foster business opportunities and collaboration between Brazil and California related to media and entertainment, including movie and television production, as well as cultural, sportive and gaming activities.
About MPA Latina America:
The Motion Picture Association has been in Brazil since the 1940’s and its members include: Walt Disney; Paramount; Sony Pictures; Twentieth Century Fox; Universal; and Warner Bros. The purpose of the MPA is to stimulate and consolidate partnerships with the players in the Brazilian audiovisual industry, both in the public and private sectors, as well as to promote the exchange of expertise and the overall appreciation of the audiovisual industry. The MPA, in addition to representing the interests of associated studios, monitors the political and economic scenario in relation to the audiovisual industry.
Mayara Aloy Cunha, Patrick Benedek, Fabio Cesnik, Andressa Pappas e Felipe Cusnir.
