The 39th BrasiliaFilm Festival which opened yesterday and runs through Nov 28,will host a seminar about film locations in Brazil. The seminar will be an open forum for discussionsthat revolve the future of the regional film commissions and the possible creationof a Brazilian Film Commission to foster local film production.

At least eightregional film commissions (including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia) will participate, in addition to representatives ofthe Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI), the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency(Apex), the National Cinema Agency (Ancine) and the Ministry of Tourism.

The idea is todiscuss a proper film commission model for Brazil and establish a marketing strategy to promotethe tropical and sometimes unknown locations in the country.

Because Brazil needs to promote its areas as filminglocations overseas, the seminar will highlight the importance of the governmentsupport to the organisation. "It will be the first time that the governmentwill discuss with regional film commissions how to launch the country as alocation provider in the international market,'' says Ana Cristina Costa eSilva, the seminar coordinator.

Because therewere just a few international films shot in Brazil, such as Emerald Forest,Anaconda, Fitzcarraldoand Moonraker, the future BrazilianFilm Commission will have to encourage more foreign producers to shoot in thecountry. And for that, it will be necessary to guarantee all qualifiedtechnical and professional services that are required to set up a production ina foreign country. "Brazil has been considered by specialists thenew location provider for worldwide productions. The seminar will probably makeus improve our work in order to promote Brazil with excellence abroad,''says Silva.