As BrLab prepares to mark its 15th anniversary in 2026, one of Latin America’s most influential development labs for film projects is announcing a bold set of changes designed to expand its international reach, enhance its programming and deepen its support for emerging filmmakers.

Rafael Sampaio, BrLab’s founder and director, met up with Variety in Cannes to discuss four key updates that reflect the platform’s evolving role as both a creative hub and a strategic launchpad for cinema from Brazil, Latin America and the wider Ibero-American region.

Founded in 2011, BrLab has grown into a vital force in the development of independent cinema, offering workshops, labs and mentorships for projects from over 15 countries. Supported by institutions such as Programa Ibermedia, Projeto Paradiso and Spcine, and now also by Petrobras as a multi-year sponsor, the lab receives more than 400 submissions annually, carefully curated by a professional selection committee.

The results speak for themselves.