The most famous red carpet in cinema is about to be rolled out: the 2026 Cannes Film Festival starts tomorrow, May 12th, on the French Riviera, bringing together stars, award-winning filmmakers and films that could dominate the next awards season. And, even without a 100% Brazilian film in contention for the coveted Palme d’Or this year, Brazil will still be present, and in a curious way: through international co-productions with Brazilian DNA.
For those who don’t follow it closely, Cannes is considered one of the most important film festivals on the planet. That’s where films gain status cultdirectors become phenomena and independent productions become Oscar candidates months later. The event’s big award is the Palme d’Or, already won by historical classics and contested annually by the main names in authorial cinema.
But, after all, which productions with Brazilian participation will be at Cannes this year?
La Perra: Selton Mello arrives at Cannes in Chile-Brazil co-production
One of the highlights is The Bitcha feature film by Chilean filmmaker Dominga Sotomayor, selected for the traditional Filmmakers’ Fortnight (Directors’ Fortnight), one of the festival’s most prestigious parallel exhibitions. The project is a co-production between Chile and Brazil, with the participation of Brazilian production company RT Features, the name behind films such as Call Me By Your Name e I’m Still Here.
The film also draws attention for featuring Selton Mello in the cast. The plot follows Silvia, an isolated woman on an island in southern Chile who creates an intense bond with a dog named Yuri — a relationship that ends up awakening traumas and deep memories. According to the first descriptions, the film mixes psychological drama, loneliness and delicate emotional issues.
And there is a curious detail: Selton’s role would have been developed especially for him by the director, making his participation even more symbolic in this international moment in his career.
Six Months in the Pink and Blue Building: Brazil also appears in Critics’ Week
Another production with Brazilian participation is Six Months in the Pink and Blue Buildingselected for the Critics Week competition, a section known for revealing new talents in world cinema. The film has Brazilian involvement in the production and reinforces the country’s presence in spaces dedicated to discovering new filmmakers, precisely where many phenomena begin before exploding internationally.
Paper Tiger
The film features two strong protagonists, Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, and is co-produced by RT Features in Brazil.
Elephants in the Mist
Signed by Nepalese director Abinash Bikram Shah, the Brazilian co-production comes from the hands of Bubbles Project. The film features sound design made entirely by Brazilians and tells the story of a very peculiar village, what remains surrounded by an elephant forest.
Brazil “out” of the competition, but still very present
Although 2026 marks a Brazilian absence from the main competition — especially after the enormous prominence of The Secret Agent last year — experts point out that Brazil remains strategically strong in Cannes through co-productions, emerging talent and presence in the Film Marketthe festival’s gigantic business market.
