The capital of Minas Gerais receives, from Tuesday (23) to Thursday (28), the 19th edition of the International Film Festival of Belo Horizonte (Cinebh), which consolidates itself as an important space for exhibition and formation of public for Minas Gerais cinema.
The show consists of 101 films in premieres and thematic shows, as well as debates, workshops and activities aimed at training and audiovisual market.
The opening session will be on Tuesday night at Cine Theatro Brasil, with the premiere of The secret agentPernambuco production of Kleber Mendonça Filho. The feature, which has won three awards at the Cannes Film Festival, best actor for Wagner Moura and Critical Award, was chosen to represent Brazil in dispute for an Oscar 2026 vacancy Best international film.
In an exclusive interview with Brazil agencythe general coordinator of the show and director of Universe Production, Raquel Hallak, who has also promoted the Tiradentes show since 1998 and Cineop in Ouro Preto, since 2006, has the source of Cinebh and this year’s highlights.
Raquel Hallak General Coordinator of the Cinebh Show – Photo: Leo Lara/Universe Production
Agência Brasil – How did the idea of Cine BH come about?
Raquel Hallak – Cinebh – Belo Horizonte International Film Festival was born in 2007 from the perception that it was necessary to create, in the capital of Minas Gerais, its cinema event, and also create in Minas Gerais a space focused on the connection between artistic creation and the audiovisual market. We already held the Tiradentes Show [desde 1998] and the cineop [Ouro Preto-desde 2006]each with its identity, and we understand that Belo Horizonte had a vocation to host an event focused on market formation, internationalization of Brazilian production and professional exchange.
Brazil agency – What is the importance of the event for the city and how does the public participate?
Raquel Hallak – Cinebh is today one of the main cultural events of the capital of Minas Gerais and contributes directly to the strengthening of the audiovisual sector, moving the creative economy, cultural tourism and the artistic calendar of the city. For the public, it is a unique opportunity to watch unpublished movies, participate in debates, workshops, conversation wheels and meetings with directors, all for free.
Brazil agency – This year there will be 101 films between Brazilians and international. How do you see the current scenario of Brazilian cinema?
Raquel Hallak – Despite the challenges faced in recent years, Brazilian cinema shows an impressive capacity for resistance and reinvention. We are living a moment of resumption and celebration, with important achievements in international festivals and a production marked by diversity, creative power and engagement with urgent themes. Cinebh’s curatorship reflects this plurality.
Brazil agency – The opening of the festival will be with the film selected from Brazil to compete for the Oscar. Is the expectation high? What does it mean for the festival to open with The secret agentat this very special moment?
Raquel Hallak – It is an honor and a symbolic moment for Cinebh to open its 19th edition with The secret agentby Kleber Mendonça Filho, a film that has just been chosen to represent Brazil in the dispute for a place at Oscar 2026. The choice reaffirms our commitment to Brazilian cinema, relevant and international reach. Displaying this movie at the opening in connection with the honoree of this edition, actor Carlos Francisco, is a gift for the public and a way to celebrate the talent and sensitivity of Brazilian cinema in a moment of international visibility.
Brazil agency – Are festivals the main screens for movies that have no distribution yet? Also, is it a space for public training? Comment on your view of this important window.
Raquel Hallak – Festivals play a strategic role within the audiovisual ecosystem. These are often the first independent film screening windows, which still seek commercial distribution. In addition, they function as reception laboratories, where films are tested, discussed and gain visibility. For the public, it is an opportunity to contact movies that often do not reach the commercial circuit. And for the directors, a meeting space, criticism and recognition.
Brazil agency – Altem of the Cinebh Festival, you ride other festivals in Minas. Count a little of your trajectory and the relationship of the Minas Gerais public with the audiovisual.
Raquel Hallak – My trajectory is deeply linked to the commitment to the promotion and diffusion of Brazilian cinema and the formation of public. At the head of Universe Production, a 30 -year -old company in the cultural and audiovisual sector, we idealized, we conducted, under my general coordination, the Cinema Without Borders program, which brings together four nationally and internationally recognized audiovisual projects: the Tiradentes Film Show, the Cineoop – Ourbh Cinebh Show and Brazil Cinemundi – International Co -Production Meeting. Each of these events has their own identity and fulfills a strategic role in promoting Brazilian audiovisual. Throughout this walk, we have built a very close and affective relationship with the Minas Gerais public, who actively participates in the festivals, values free programming and engages in debates, workshops and formative activities. I believe that cinema is a powerful tool for social transformation, and it is gratifying to see how, year after year, these events are consolidated as meeting spaces, reflection and celebration of Brazilian culture.
Brazil agency – This year’s honoree, actor Carlos Francisco, is today one of the great exponents of Brazilian cinema.
Raquel Hallak – Carlos Francisco is an artist who represents with depth and sensitivity the power of contemporary Brazilian cinema. His trajectory, marked by intense performances in theater and cinema, and for being a strong and generous presence on the scene, puts him as a reference of our generation. The tribute is a recognition of his talent, his artistic contribution and his commitment to narratives that represent Brazil in his diversity. It is an honor to have it as honored from this edition.
Brazil agency – Also of the screening of films, discussions about the film market will be debated in Brazil Cinemundi?
Raquel Hallak – Brazil Cinemundi is the Cinebh international market event, which reaches its 16th consolidated edition as one of the country’s main co -production meetings. It connects Brazilian projects under development with players from around the world, distributors, channels, sales agents, programmers, consultants and representatives of international funds. In addition, it promotes a series of formative activities, panels, business rounds and mentoring that contribute to the development of Brazilian audiovisual.
Brazil agency – What are the prospects for the meeting and tell us a little about the theme of the audiovisual seminar in connection: regulation, co -production and the challenges of the market.
Raquel Hallak – In four days of activities, the seminar will bring together more than 80 experts from 15 countries – professionals from the audiovisual production chain, researchers, public managers, state representatives, sector companies, academic institutions, distributors, curators, international sales agents and strategic partners. In a context of resumption and restructuring of public policies, talking about regulation, co -production and market challenges is essential to tracing possible ways to strengthen our production chain.
The full schedule is available in Cinebh’s official website.
