Our man in Brazil. Culture Next Strengthens International Partnerships at MICBR 2025

Culture Next was represented by Carlos Martins (foto, top left) at the 2025 edition of the Brazilian Creative Industries Market (MICBR), held from December 3–7 in Fortaleza, Brazil, one of the largest edition in the event’s history. Bringing together 615 creative entrepreneurs from 28 countries and generating over 3600 business meetings over three days, MICBR 2025 confirmed its position as one of Latin America’s leading platforms for creative economy exchange. This year’s edition projected R$ 94.5 million (approx. 15.48 million euros) in new business over the following 12 months. But what about Culture Next’s involvement?

Participating as an international buyer, Culture Next engaged in 21 targeted B2B matchmaking meetings with cultural and creative agents across audiovisual production, theatre, music, visual arts, crafts, digital games, and socially engaged cultural initiatives.

Among these organizations were Grupo Galpão, one of Brazil’s most internationally touring theatre companies, audiovisual producers including Olho de Vidro Produções, Coletivo Mosca Frita, and Creativxs, as well as socially transformative initiatives such as Viva Brasil / #estudeofunk, which empowers young artists from Rio de Janeiro’s periphery through music and audiovisual training.

The diversity of these encounters reflected the depth of Brazil’s creative ecosystem and revealed strong alignment with Culture Next’s values of cultural diversity, community-based creativity, and international collaboration.

Presentation of the European Capitals of Culture Framework

Carlos Martins delivered a formal presentation at Escola Iracema das Artes to over 30 cultural agents participating in the official MICBR programme.

The presentation introduced the European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) initiative as a long-term cultural development framework that positions culture as a driver of urban regeneration, social cohesion, and creative economy growth. Culture Next was presented as a network of 50 cities across 20 European countries, offering Brazilian cultural actors a structured entry point into European partnerships.

The session generated strong interest in artist residencies, co-productions, and project circulation between Brazilian creative hubs and Culture Next member cities.

A particularly significant outcome of the participation was the series of institutional meetings held with the Brazilian Ministry of Culture.

On behalf of Culture Next, Carlos Martins met with:

  • Margareth Menezes, Minister of Culture
  • Claudia Leitão, Secretary for the Creative Economy
  • André Lira, Coordinator-General for Productive Strategy

These discussions explored the foundations for a long-term partnership between Culture Next and the Brazilian Ministry of Culture, aiming to facilitate structured cultural exchange, co-funding opportunities, and expanded international networks for both European and Brazilian creative sectors.

Culture Next’s participation at MICBR 2025 positioned the network as a relevant international partner within the Brazilian creative ecosystem.

More to follow, stay tuned.

 

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