Floresta: There is a high demand for unscripted shows

At the LA Screenings, Sony Pictures Television’s Floresta unveiled a groundbreaking new reality series, Ageless Love, which breaks the mold by connecting potential partners from different generations.

“Ageless Love is a social experiment that explores how love transcends age,” explains Adriana “Dida” Silva, VP and General Director of Floresta. “We’re bringing together grandparents, grandchildren, widows, and singles on a unique vacation where they’ll all have the chance to find new love. This innovative reality show is specifically tailored for the Latin American and Brazilian markets.”

UNSCRIPTED SHOWS ON HIGH DEMAND
As always, Floresta remains committed to delivering fresh reality formats. This commitment is evident in the continued success of shows like Tunnel of Love, currently in its third season on Multishow and Globoplay in Brazil, and with innovative new series like Ageless Love. “Tunnel del Amor is performing very well. We’re anticipating a renewal soon, and there’s already international interest in the format. This just reinforces the enduring appeal of reality TV. As I mentioned at Content Americas, unscripted content is experiencing a boom.”

She said that Floresta isn’t just innovating with new formats, they’re also expanding successful Sony titles across Latin America. For instance, the hit American game show Raid the Cage (CBS) is being prepped for a Brazilian launch. She indicated that Mexico is doing another season of Escape Perfecto, a format that has been on the air in Argentina for a long time.

“We’re revisiting the Raid the Cage format for Brazil. There was a one-season run years ago, but with the show’s enduring strength, we believe it’s the perfect time to bring it back for Brazilian audiences.”

Joining Ageless Love at LA Screenings were two formats: Blindfold Audience, from the creators of the global phenomenon The Masked Singer, and Can’t Touch This, a multi-stage reality competition with a unique twist. “This show is all about overcoming challenges and reaching the ultimate prize: a car. The format has been a hit in the US, and now we’re launching it for Mexican and Brazilian audiences,” she highlighted.

NEW SEASONS OF SHARK TANK
Silva announces a brand-new season of Shark Tank, and this year, a groundbreaking twist: Creators for Google and YouTube. “This is a testament to the format’s enduring strength. It thrives not just on traditional television, but also in the digital space. The Shark Tank YouTube channel in Brazil is hugely popular.”

Floresta is also preparing new seasons of Soltos, a very successful reality show on Prime Video. “The fourth season of Soltos em Salvador is now streaming on Prime Video. And we’ve already filmed a special Carnival edition called Soltos em Carnaval for season five. The show continues to be a huge hit for Prime Video viewers.”

While this year has had its challenges, acknowledges Silva “it’s also been incredibly productive, especially for our unscripted shows. “We see a strong demand in Brazil for positive, uplifting content that resonates with a broad audience – something we excel at delivering. So we are focused on this. I think it’s also a high point of comedy. Everyone is looking for content to have fun.”

YOUTH VERSION OF CHARLIE’S ANGELS STANDS OUT IN SCRIPTED
Floresta is spearheading a fictional TV series aimed at tweens, bringing a fresh take on Charlie’s Angels to Brazilian audiences. “We’re collaborating with the renowned Brazilian author Suzana Pires. Her dedication to female empowerment perfectly aligns with the spirit of Charlie’s Angels, making her an ideal partner for this adaptation. We’re excited about the strong interest from Brazilian broadcasters – we’ve already received inquiries from three potential partners. While a final deal hasn’t been reached, development is well underway, having begun just a few weeks ago,” she explained.

Floresta is bringing a brand new animated series to life for kids, El Niño del Fin del Mundo (20×30′). “We’re reteaming with the talented Andrés Rodriguez. He’s a children’s entertainment specialist, having brought his magic to both Disney projects and our own Luz series for Netflix. His expertise will be invaluable for this new series,” she noted.

El Niño del Fin del Mundo tells the story of a young boy from a small urban area. When a devastating environmental accident rips through his home, he’s left orphaned and facing a world forever changed. “Imagine a lone survivor, a boy standing amidst the ruins of his hometown, the sole witness to a terrible environmental catastrophe. That’s the start of El Niño del Fin del Mundo. He becomes a beacon of hope, adopted by a family of dedicated eco-activists. We follow his journey as he grapples with his past, becoming a powerful voice for environmental causes. But there’s more. A hidden mystery surrounding his family history unfolds, adding layers of intrigue that promise to keep you hooked for seasons to come,” said Silva.

Another scripted product is a series that Floresta is developing with Fabio Mendes, the author of one of the most successful Brazilian series in recent times, Don, which is on Amazon. “We will be able to give more details soon. It is designed for six episodes and to take place between Brazil and Colombia, so it has great appeal as a co-production between the two countries,” she commented.

TV MOVIES
Floresta is also placing a strong emphasis on developing television movies. They hinted at an exciting upcoming project, stating, “We’re on the verge of finalizing a major deal that we’ll be able to announce very soon.” Furthermore, they highlighted their focus on collaborating with prominent Brazilian actors and directors, while also exploring adaptations of popular books.

They unveiled their upcoming TV movie, Preto e Branco (Black & White), at the LA Screenings. This story follows two lawyers at a prestigious firm on the cusp of life-altering events: a promotion and a resignation. One lawyer, a Black man, faces termination, while his white colleague receives the coveted promotion. However, a twist of fate intervenes. A car accident throws their lives into disarray, leading to a shocking reversal. The Black man awakens to find himself living the white man’s seemingly privileged life. This unexpected switch exposes the stark social inequalities and underlying biases within their world. The film boasts David Junior, a prominent Brazilian actor, as its lead.

Silva confirmed Floresta’s participation in the upcoming Rio2C event in Brazil. She emphasized the event’s significance, stating, “It’s a crucial opportunity for the Brazilian market to convene and explore strategies for bolstering domestic content creation and fostering co-productions with international partners. Finding new avenues for collaboration is essential in today’s market.”