LC Barreto, a production company based in Rio de Janeiro, has recently announced the launch of three exciting new projects. Among these projects are two animated collaborations with China’s CCTV Animation, a subsidiary of China Media Group, as well as an upcoming live-action feature film from acclaimed filmmaker Bruno Barreto, known for his Oscar-nominated film “Four Days in September.”
One of the animated projects, titled “Panda HoHo,” will feature a popular character from China Media Group’s previous productions. This character will star in both a TV series and a feature film, both of which are intended for global distribution. Renowned Brazilian director João Amorim has been tapped to helm both projects and will be presenting a lecture on Asian audiovisual potentials at the upcoming Rio2C event.
Currently in development, both projects are in need of funding for production. The first project, “Hoho & The Tropical Sound Clash,” is a 3D animated series targeted at preschoolers. The series is planned to span four seasons, each consisting of 13 episodes running for 12 minutes each, with a total budget of $8.1 million. The series will follow the adventures of Panda HoHo alongside two Brazilian animals, a golden lion tamarin and an adventurous capybara, as they explore Brazil’s diverse biomes, cultural traditions, and lessons on environmental preservation.
The second animated project, “Amazonika – The Origin,” is a CG-animated feature film with a budget of 30 million reais ($5.2 million). The film will portray the Amazon Rainforest as a bridge between Asian and Brazilian indigenous cultures. Panda HoHo will join forces with Zo, a young man with a special connection to nature, and Nika, a brave princess warrior, to restore harmony in a world facing imminent collapse.
In addition to these animated ventures, LC Barreto will also be producing “In the Name of My Parents,” a new feature film from veteran filmmaker Bruno Barreto. Inspired by the book of the same name by journalist Matheus Leitão, the film will delve into Leitão’s personal journey to uncover the truth behind his parents’ imprisonment and torture during Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1970s. Leitão’s parents, Marcelo Netto and Miriam Leitão, were journalists who bravely resisted the oppressive regime.
With a rich history spanning six decades, LC Barreto continues to push boundaries and bring compelling stories to the screen. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting projects as they progress towards production and eventual release.
