Mostra Internacional de Cinema em São Paulo, Brazil, Marks 50th Edition
BRAZIL · SÃO PAULO · EXPATS
Key Facts
- —What it is The 50th edition of São Paulo’s international film festival, founded in 1977 by critic Leon Cakoff.
- —When and where 15–29 October 2026 at cinemas across São Paulo, after an invited opening on 14 October.
- —What it costs 2026 prices are not out yet; single tickets cost R$26–32 (US$5.06–6.23) last year.
- —Why it matters It is São Paulo’s main annual window on world cinema, and 2026 marks its 50th edition.
- —The catch Full programme, venue list and ticket sales are still pending, and passes usually sell out fast.
The Mostra Internacional de Cinema em São Paulo holds its 50th edition from 15 to 29 October 2026. James Gray’s Paper Tiger opens it on 14 October.
The 50th Mostra Internacional de Cinema em São Paulo, one of Brazil’s biggest film festivals, runs from Thursday 15 to Thursday 29 October 2026. It opens a day earlier, on 14 October, with an invitation-only screening of James Gray’s Paper Tiger at Sala São Paulo.
A 50th Mostra Internacional de Cinema em São Paulo
Film critic Leon Cakoff created the festival in 1977 at the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), to mark the museum’s 30th anniversary. Cakoff died in 2011, and the festival is now directed by Renata de Almeida.
The festival’s own archive lists an edition for every year from 1977 to 2025, which makes 2026 the 50th. It is presented by Brazil’s Ministry of Culture and Petrobras, the state oil company that is its master sponsor.
Other backers include Itaú, Sesc and the city film agency Spcine. Vogue Brasil reports that Louis Vuitton has also joined as a partner for the anniversary edition.
James Gray opens the anniversary edition
Paper Tiger, released in Brazil as Tigre de Papel, stars Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller. It premiered in competition at this year’s Cannes festival and follows two brothers drawn into a deal with the Russian mafia.
The film was produced by Brazil’s RT Features with Leone Film Group and Keep Head Productions. Diamond Films distributes it in Brazil, so it should reach local cinemas after the festival.
Gray will attend the opening and receive the festival’s Leon Cakoff Award. He also designed this year’s official poster, and a retrospective of his films is planned, with titles still to be confirmed.
On 15 October, Gray joins Brazilian director Walter Salles for a screening and conversation at the Solar Fábio Prado. The festival says tickets will be sold, with purchase details to follow.
What else is on the programme so far
The full schedule is not yet public, but the festival has named several titles. They include Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Minotaur, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s The Samurai and the Prisoner and Sandra Wollner’s Everytime.
Also confirmed are Pegah Ahangarani’s Rehearsals for a Revolution, Clarissa by Arie and Chuko Esiri, and Paweł Pawlikowski’s A Terra do Meu Pai. Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s All of a Sudden completes the list announced so far.
A set of restored films by Armenian director Artavazd Pelechian is also on the bill. Paper Tiger itself will have regular public screenings during the festival, after the opening night.
Venues and the new festival hub
This year the festival’s free Sala Petrobras moves to the Solar Fábio Prado, at Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima 2705 in Jardim Paulistano. It will host screenings, filmmaker talks and free special presentations.
Last year’s paid circuit included the Cinemateca Brasileira, CineSesc, IMS Paulista, Reserva Cultural and Espaço Petrobras de Cinema. Most of these are regular festival partners, but the 2026 list is not yet confirmed.
The same house hosts an exhibition on the festival’s five decades, designed by filmmaker Daniela Thomas. Its industry event, the VI Encontro de Ideias Audiovisuais, runs there from Tuesday 20 to Friday 23 October.
That market includes a showcase of Brazilian features still in post-production, pitched to distributors and festival programmers. Its prizes will be handed out on 23 October.
Folha de S.Paulo reports that Cine Belas Artes, near the Consolação end of Avenida Paulista, returns to the circuit after five years. The festival has not yet published its full list of cinemas.
Tickets, passes and prices
The festival has not published 2026 ticket prices or sale dates yet. Last year, single tickets cost R$26 (US$5.06) Monday to Thursday and R$32 (US$6.23) Friday to Sunday, at 19 September 2026 rates.
Half-price tickets were R$13 (US$2.53) and R$16 (US$3.11) for those eligible under Brazilian law. Singles went on sale four days before each session through the festival app and the Velox website.
Passes sold out quickly in 2025. The all-access pass cost R$640 (US$124.51), and bundles of 20 or 40 tickets cost R$270 (US$52.53) and R$440 (US$85.60).
Some municipal venues charged just R$4 (US$0.78), and certain sessions were free. There is no guarantee that 2026 prices will match.
In 2025, up to 60% of seats went to accredited pass holders, and at least 10% were kept for box offices. On the day, a small quota could be bought directly at each cinema.
Tips for foreigners in São Paulo
Foreign films usually screen in their original language with Portuguese subtitles. English speakers should check the language notes on each listing before buying.
Children are catered for too, with the third Mostrinha programme offering free and paid sessions throughout the festival. Its poster features characters created by the late Brazilian cartoonist Ziraldo.
The full schedule has not been released yet. Check the official website, mostra.org, for sessions, prices and venue addresses as they are announced.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Mostra Internacional de Cinema em São Paulo in 2026?
The 50th edition runs from Thursday 15 October to Thursday 29 October 2026. An invitation-only opening screening takes place on Wednesday 14 October at Sala São Paulo.
How much do tickets cost?
The festival has not yet announced 2026 prices. In 2025, single tickets cost R$26 (US$5.06) on weekdays and R$32 (US$6.23) from Friday to Sunday. Passes and ticket bundles sold out quickly.
Where are the screenings held?
Screenings take place at cinemas across São Paulo, and the full list is still to be published. Confirmed so far are the Solar Fábio Prado on Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima and, according to Folha de S.Paulo, Cine Belas Artes.
Who founded the festival?
Film critic Leon Cakoff founded it in 1977 at the São Paulo Museum of Art. He died in 2011, and Renata de Almeida now directs the festival.
Sources: Details come from the official Mostra website, including its 2025 ticket page. Venue reporting comes from Folha de S.Paulo and festival history from Abraccine.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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