Brazilian filmmaker Paulo Nascimento is preparing to direct “A Chocolate Christmas,” a romantic drama shot in Portuguese that will bring together two distinct filming locations. Production will take place over December and January, with one week of shooting scheduled in New York City followed by four weeks in Gramado, a mountain resort in southern Brazil’s scenic region. Nascimento announced the project at a panel during the Gramado Film Festival.
The story centers on Linda, a protagonist who departs her hometown as a teenager after a romantic setback. A decade later, she has established herself as a skilled chocolatier in Manhattan and plans to launch her own chocolate shop. However, a family crisis forces her to return to Gramado, where she reconnects with both her family’s chocolate business and her former boyfriend. The narrative explores themes of love and second chances against the backdrop of local Christmas traditions.
The film takes advantage of Gramado’s renowned Natal Luz festival, recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest-running Christmas celebration globally. The production will integrate the festival’s extensive offerings, including parades, water-based performances, orchestra concerts, and elaborate visual displays. Nascimento noted that this partnership provides substantial production value without corresponding budget demands.
Accorde Filmes and H2O Films are producing the feature, with New York-based Rose Pictures serving as co-producer. H2O Films plans to distribute the completed film throughout Brazilian theaters during the 2027 Christmas season. Nascimento, who has previously directed 17 films spanning political dramas and genre pieces, continues expanding his directorial range with this holiday-themed project.
Originally reported by Variety →
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