EXCLUSIVE: Berlin-based m-appeal has secured world sales rights to Brazilian director Allan Deberton’s Gugu’s World, which is set to world premiere at the upcoming Berlinale.
The story follows Gugu, an 11-year-old football lover raised by his vibrant, free-spirited grandmother Dilma. As Dilma begins to grow more fragile, Gugu tries to safeguard the world that allows him to be fully himself. It is set in a small community by the slowly drying Araújo Lima dam in Brazil.
The cast is led by newcomer Yuri Gomes in the title role alongside acclaimed Brazilian actor Lázaro Ramos as his father, Teca Pereira, Carlos Francisco and Georgina Castro. The screenplay was written by André Araújo.
The film will screen in the Generation Kplus section of the festival and is produced by Deberton Filmes and Biônica Filmes, in co-production with Warner Bros. Pictures Brasil. It will be released in Brazil by Paris Filmes, the country’s biggest independent distributor.
It marks the latest feature of filmmaker Deberton, whose debut Pacarrete premiered in competition at Shanghai International Film Festival in 2019 and went on to screen at major festivals in Brazil and around the world.
M-appeal CEO Maren Kroymann said Gugu’s World “pairs a beautiful, accessible cinematic language with a powerful message of acceptance. By showing how a loving and open home can shape a child’s understanding of the world, the film delivers both emotional resonance and meaningful educational value.”
Produced by Karen Castanho, Bianca Villar, Fernando Fraiha, and Allan Deberton, executive producer is Fred Burle with associate production by Lázaro Ramos and Mistika. Sponsorship comes from Nubank with support from Projeto Paradiso and Incubadora Paradiso. Further support is by PNAB CE – Government of Ceará, and the film was produced with funding from BRDE, FSA, ANCINE and the Ministry of Culture.
M-appeal will introduce the film to international buyers at the European Film Market (EFM), which runs alongside the festival from February 12-18.
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