The project will be carried out through the “Fazendo Meu Primeiro Filme” (“Making My First Film”) course, a renowned training program created and implemented by LATC with support from the Cultural Council of the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro (ACRJ).
The first edition of the course in partnership with FAFERJ is expected for March 2026 and will offer up to 30 young people from 10 favelas the opportunity to participate in a training program that combines creativity, citizenship, and real prospects for professional integration.
The course represents a modest yet significant effort to strengthen the much-needed digital literacy required not only for making a film but also for improving employability skills and supporting cognitive abilities such as finding, evaluating, and communicating information.
The “Fazendo Meu Primeiro Filme” course represents a modest yet meaningful initiative to counter this scenario by offering young people—often deprived of basic resources—a space for expression, emotional development, and a concrete opportunity to come into contact with the world of cinema and audiovisual production.
Participants will be selected from the following favela residents’ associations:
- Residents’ Association of Vasquinho (Caxias)
- Residents’ Association of Triagem (Mangueira)
- Residents’ Association of Juventude da Vila (Ramos)
- Residents’ Association of Morro da Coroa (Rio Comprido)
- Residents’ Association of Serrinha (Madureira)
- Residents’ Association of Morro Jorge Turco (Coelho Neto)
- Residents’ Association of Vila Progresso (Vila Kennedy)
- Residents’ Association of Rocinha (Gávea)
- Residents’ Association of Cachoeira Grande (Lins do Vasconcelos)
- Residents’ Association of Morro Dourado (Cordovil)
According to LATC president Steve Solot,
“The project is a tool to provide young people in vulnerable situations with access to opportunities and resources that enable them to develop their potential and participate actively in society.”
For FAFERJ president Rossino de Castro Diniz,
“This project is a major opportunity for the favela associations represented by FAFERJ to connect with youth and transform lives through participation in a recognized and transformative audiovisual course.”
Thanks to the agreement signed between LATC and SICAV (Interstate Union of the Audiovisual Industry), selected students will have access to professional experiences in audiovisual production companies in Rio de Janeiro, further strengthening their entry into the job market.
Additionally, through the collaboration agreement between LATC and the new streaming platform MAB+, student films may be selected by the curatorship to be made available—with English subtitles—on the MAB+ Academy section dedicated to independent filmmakers worldwide, expanding the international visibility of the young participants’ productions.
About the Project:
“Fazendo Meu Primeiro Filme” (“Making My First Film”) is an initiative of the ACRJ Cultural Council, developed with the collaboration of several institutional, strategic, and private partners and supporters, including: ABC Cursos de Cinema, LATC, Atrevida Filmes, VIVA Productions, Paula Tupinambá Advocacia, SICAV, and ALM Insurance.
About FAFERJ:
Founded on July 6, 1963, FAFERJ is a nonprofit and public-interest institution representing communities across the state. It works to defend the rights of favela residents and promotes initiatives focused on citizenship, inclusion, and social development.
https://www.faferj.org/
About ACRJ:
Founded in 1809, the Rio de Janeiro Commercial Association is one of the oldest civil representative entities in Brazil. It works to defend business interests and promote economic development in the state. Its historic headquarters are located at Rua Candelária, 9 – Downtown Rio.
https://acrj.org.br
About LATC:
Based in Rio de Janeiro and founded in 2008 by Steve Solot, the Latin American Training Center (LATC) is a training and consulting center dedicated to the audiovisual industry. The institution offers programs, publications, contests, workshops, and technical and creative seminars aimed at professional development and strengthening the sector.
https://latamtrainingcenter.com
