Walter Salles’ drama “I’m Still Here” took home the Oscar for best international film on Sunday night, sending celebrations into overdrive in Rio de Janeiro and beyond. The Brazilian feature’s success has been a long time coming, with the Altitude distributor predicting a big hit since early screenings.
Released by Altitude on February 21, “I’m Still Here” broke British records, earning $600,000 at its UK premiere in October. The film’s momentum gained after Torres’ Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a Drama Motion Picture, prompting distributors to widen their launch plans.
The distributor visited the Brazilian embassy in London, where senior staff members got an early glimpse of the film before Christmas. However, it was during awards season that Altitude successfully expanded “I’m Still Here” into mainstream audiences.
“I’m Still Here’s success is a beacon of hope for indie distribution,” says Jones. “Considering the bandwidth and competition, the fact that so many people have come to see this film should be encouraging for the wider industry.”
This Oscar win comes at a time of uncertainty for indie distributors in local cinemas, particularly with foreign language titles. However, “I’m Still Here” has proven that a critically-acclaimed feature can build momentum and attract a broad audience.
The film’s success is a testament to Altitude’s efforts to promote “I’m Still Here” throughout awards season. By working with the Brazilian embassy and running its own campaign, the distributor was able to capitalize on the film’s buzz and create a strong presence in UK cinemas.
With its Oscar win, “I’m Still Here” has secured its place as one of the most successful independent films of the year. As Jones notes, the success of this critically-acclaimed feature should be encouraging for the wider industry, providing much-needed optimism in an uncertain time for indie distribution.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/global/im-still-here-uk-box-office-records-altitude-1236326124