O2, Universal greenlight 'VIPs'

O2 Filmes is owned by director Fernando Meirelles, whose “Blindness” opened Cannes, and producers Andrea Barata Ribeiro and Paulo Morelli.

“VIPs” is being written by Braulio Mantovani, whose scribe credits include “City of God,” Berlin Golden Bear winner “Elite Squad” and Walter Salles’ Cannes competition player “Linha de Passe.” Helmer Melo has worked with O2 Filmes for years.

“VIPs” is targeting a shoot for early 2009, said Barata Ribeiro. It turns on a poor, fame-craving Brazilian who poses as an airplane company owner in order to infiltrate Brazil’s jet set.

Next movie to roll in the U-O2 pact is “Smile,” which will shoot in Recife in October, from longtime O2 Filmes collaborator Nando Olival, who co-directed Meirelles’ second film, “Maids.”

“Xingu” is skedded to shoot next spring, helmed by Cao Hamburger (“The Year My Parents Went on Vacation”).

A siblings friendship adventure drama, set in the 1960s, it deals with two young brothers’ discovering Brazil’s Amazonian forest Xingu National Park.

Heitor Dhalia’s “Adrift,” the first film in the U-O2 production pact, has recently moved into post-production.

Still in development is “Camila and Adriana,” from Dainara Tofolli and Cesar Charlone, d.p. on “Blindness.”

Also in development are projects from Mauro Lima (working title, “Mafia”) who’s helmed the biggest Brazilian B.O. hit of this year, “My Name Ain’t Johnny”; and a project by Luciano Moura, who directed an episode of the 02 Filmes-produced TV series “Antonia.”

The O2-U deal runs for three years, with a target of at least five pics. U puts up a monthly fee for development, covers the films’ production costs and has a first option on distribution rights.

Budgets for films run in the $3 million-$10 million range.

“Development departments are pretty new in Brazil,” said Barata Ribeiro.