Filming in Recife 

Whether it’s for TV, film, documentary, corporate video, post-production or digital projects, there are plenty of reasons why Recife is an attractive location for foreign productions. Let's start with 10:

01 A creative hub, past and present

Not only does Recife have a rich cinematographic history – a number of important Brazilian films were made there during the 20th century – the wider state of Pernambuco does, too, with a proportionately high number of national and international film awards under its belt. In more recent years, Recife has developed its economy through a creative and digital cluster called the Porto Digital, also known as Brazil’s “silicon valley”. The Porto Digital was established in 2010, through partnerships that include the British Council. The initiative has regenerated a section of Recife's historic centre, and is now home to around 300 companies, grouped in clusters that include the Portomídia, with a focus on post-production.

02   Local talent

Thanks in part to Recife's history of film and TV production, the city is a hotspot for local talent, from art directors to DOPs, directors and producers. Unlike in some of Brazil's regional capitals, the city holds on to its young, creative talent, making it easy for international productions to find talented and experienced film crews, videographers, directors, producers, editors, motion graphic designers and all manner of other production personnel. The city also runs a wide range of audiovisual courses, further boosting the talent pool. 

03  A variety of urban locations

Recife’s mix of old and new gives it an architectural diversity that provides an array of filming options, from the historic centre’s colonial buildings that date back five centuries to the modern skyscrapers on the seafront in the neighbourhood of Boa Viagem. Recife's closest neighbour is Olinda, which is just a 20 minute drive from the geographical centre of the city. Although separate municipalities, the urban spread of both combine, making it very easy to transit between the two. Founded in the 16th century, Olinda's historic centre is packed with stunning colonial buildings – a reminder of its former status as the wealthiest town in Brazil – and is deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage site status.

Photo by SETUR | Pracinha de Boa Viagem

Photo by Marcos Tayllors for Unsplash

04   Natural beauty 

The beaches in and around Recife are the setting for a local love affair with sun, sand and sea. Tropical beaches, with coral reefs and natural pools, are where the waters from the Beberibe and Capibaribe Rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, Recife is sometimes called the "Venice of Brazil" for its dozens of bridges which span the rivers, linking its many neighbourhoods. Mangroves, river deltas, forests are all within an easy 2-hour drive from the city, providing yet more location options for all types of shoots.

Driving inland from Recife, the green scenery gives way to the semi-arid Agreste, a well-known habitat characterized by its hilly, rocky landscape and dry weather, including the mountains of the Serra Negra. Heading further inland, the Agreste transitions into the rugged sertão (bush) – a dry, poor region where the locals are renowned for their grit.

05   Good transport links

Recife has good transportation links for both domestic and international travel. Gilberto Freyre International Airport receives direct flights from Lisbon making Recife a 7-hour hop from Europe.

It is likely that pre-pandemic flights from Florida will resume in the near future, providing a quick connection to other air hubs throughout North America. The airport also has direct flights from 35 cities across Brazil, including the major international hubs of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

06   Filming in Recife is better for budgets

From production staff to hotel and security personnel: the price of most aspects of filming in Recife are cheaper than in Brazil's two main production centres – São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Some equipment can be rented locally for reasonable prices, but for larger productions, more sophisticated equipment is often brought by road from São Paulo. In short, for productions looking to keep their budgets low, without comprising on quality, Recife is a good choice when it comes to filming in Brazil.

Photo by Jose Ribamar for Unsplash

08   Financial incentives 

The federal as well as Pernambuco state government offer funds that can help finance co-productions, and our doors are always open to conversations about co-productions with producers from around the world. To access grants and funding from Funcultura – a Pernambuco state funding body for culture – usually requires a partnership with a production company in Pernambuco.

09 Restaurants and hotels 

Recife welcomes millions of tourists each year and is well set up to cater to them. Its infrastructure boasts plenty of hotels and has one of the best restaurant scenes in Brazil, offering quality and good prices. In short, the city is a great location for visiting crews to spend a few days.

10 Story Productions is in Recife!

Last but not least, Story Productions is present in Recife. Our local network of producers and fixers in Recife has opened the doors to people and places that have made all the difference to our clients, including Yap Films for the Discovery Channel, who hired us to film in Recife for a documetary on mosquitoes (read the case study and watch the trailer).

Photo by Bruno Lima for MTur