A Festival of Musical Documentary in São Paulo Reveals the Business of Culture

The 17th In-Edit Brasil Festival, running in São Paulo from June 11 to 22, 2025, stands as a significant event for the music and film industries. According to the official festival program, the event features more than 60 national and international documentaries.

These films explore the business, history, and influence of music across different cultures. The festival opens with “Anos 90 – A Explosão do Pagode,” a documentary that examines how pagode music, which started in the suburbs, changed the samba market and expanded its reach in Brazil.

The festival’s selection covers a wide range of genres. It includes documentaries on rock, MPB, samba, jazz, soul, hip hop, and hardcore. The curators focus on films with historical or archival value, as well as those that capture key moments in the music business.

This year, the festival presents 16 world premieres, including new films about Cazuza, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and John Williams. These documentaries provide insights into the business strategies, cultural shifts, and market forces that have shaped music.

The event also highlights regional music scenes, such as the rock movement in Goiânia and the music of Porto Velho. The inclusion of international documentaries, like Ron Chapman’s “Revival 69: The Concert That Rocked the World,” underscores the global business connections in the music industry.

Chapman’s film documents the 1969 Toronto Rock and Roll Revival, a concert that marked John Lennon’s first public appearance after leaving the Beatles. The presence of Chapman, who will meet with audiences, demonstrates the festival’s role as a networking platform for industry professionals.

In-Edit Brasil Democratizes Music Documentary Culture

Beyond film screenings, the festival offers live shows, debates, and educational activities. It includes an online course on musical documentaries, which aims to develop new talent and expand the market for documentary filmmaking.

Most events are free, with some low-cost tickets at venues like CineSesc. The festival also streams films online for free, using platforms such as Spcine Play, Sesc Digital, and Itaú Cultural Play.

This strategy increases access and builds a wider audience for music documentaries. The In-Edit Brasil Festival’s approach reflects a broader trend in the cultural sector.

By making content accessible and supporting new creators, the festival helps sustain the business of music and film. It connects artists, producers, and audiences, creating new opportunities for collaboration and revenue.

The event’s focus on diverse genres and international perspectives reveals the commercial potential of music documentaries in both local and global markets.