Brazilian Director Laís Santos Araújo Developing Berlinale Short 'Infantaria' into Feature Film
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Brazilian director Laís Santos Araújo is developing her Berlinale-screened short film 'Infantaria' into a feature-length project. The film, set in Brazil's Northeast, centers on a seamstress who runs an underground abortion service from her home. The project has secured significant development support and partial funding, with the team currently in Cannes seeking final partnerships.
Facts First
- Director Laís Santos Araújo is expanding her short film 'Infantaria' into a feature after its screening at the Berlinale.
- The story is set in Alagoas, Brazil, and follows a seamstress running an illegal abortion service from her home.
- The project has secured €590,000 ($684,400) of its €880,000 ($1.0 million) budget and is seeking final funding in Cannes.
- Development has been supported by multiple international initiatives including La Fabrique Cinéma, BrLab, and the Paradiso Incubator.
- The project received a CNC writing grant following a pitching session judged by industry figures.
What Happened
Brazilian director Laís Santos Araújo is developing her short film 'Infantaria' into a feature-length film. Producer Pedro Krull of Aguda Cinema is steering the project through the Cannes Cinéfondation Résidence and other European development initiatives. The feature expands the short's scope to include the characters Ludmilla and Eduardo, set in the landscapes of Alagoas in Brazil's Northeast.
Why this Matters to You
This project brings a sensitive and illegal reality in Brazil—where abortion remains criminalized—into a narrative spotlight, which may broaden international awareness and dialogue on the issue. For film enthusiasts, it represents a new voice from Brazil's Northeast gaining significant international development support, suggesting you may see more diverse regional stories in global cinema circuits.
What's Next
The production team is currently in Cannes seeking the final funding and partnerships needed to complete the film's €880,000 budget, having already secured €590,000. The project's selection for prestigious development labs like La Fabrique Cinéma and CineMundi indicates it is likely to continue attracting industry attention as it moves toward production.