Fabrício Bittar’s Oscar hopeful, based on the true story of teenage hacker Daniel Nascimento, stars João Guilherme and Marcelo Serrado

Magenta Light Studios has acquired the U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to “The King of the Internet” (“O Rei da Internet”), the acclaimed Brazilian crime drama from filmmaker Fabrício Bittar.

Based on the true story of Daniel Nascimento, a teenage hacker who became one of Brazil’s most notorious cybercriminals, the film is vying to represent Brazil in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars and is slated for a theatrical release later this year.

“Set against the early days of Brazil’s internet culture, the film combines a propulsive crime story with a coming-of-age narrative, exploring the allure of technology, money and online notoriety,” Magenta Light Studios stated.

Directed by Bittar, who co-wrote the screenplay with Vinícius Perez, the film follows Daniel, played by João Guilherme, from his early fascination with computers to his emergence as one of Brazil’s most skilled young hackers. As his abilities give him access to increasingly sophisticated criminal schemes and extraordinary wealth, he is drawn into a world of luxury, excess and organized cybercrime. His meteoric rise ultimately puts him in the sights of Brazil’s Federal Police, culminating in a major operation that brings his empire crashing down, all before the age of 17.

“‘The King of the Internet’ is exactly the kind of film we are excited to bring to audiences — a story that feels almost impossible, but actually happened,” said Bob Yari, CEO of Magenta Light Studios. “Fabrício has created a film that is thrilling and entertaining while also giving us a fascinating window into the early days of the internet and the psychology of a teenager who suddenly finds himself with extraordinary power and money. João Guilherme gives a terrific performance, and we believe audiences will be captivated by Daniel’s story.”

Bittar added: “For me, this was always more than a story about hacking. Daniel was a teenager who suddenly found himself in a world where his talent gave him access to money, power and an adult life that he was not prepared to understand. I wanted to capture both the excitement and the danger of that journey, while recreating the atmosphere of the early internet in Brazil. I am thrilled that Magenta Light Studios will introduce the film to a new audience.”

“The King of the Internet” premiered in the Marimbas Award competition at the 43rd Miami Film Festival and had its South American premiere at this year’s Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival (Bafici).

Bittar produced the pic via his São Paulo-based Clube Filmes in co-production with Telecine and Vitrine Filmes (Manequim Filmes), the Brazilian distributor of the Oscar-nominated “The Secret Agent,” with Yari, Ashkan Farr and C.J. Vranca executive producing and Guilherme also serving as associate producer.

The film’s cast includes Marcelo Serrado, Emílio de Mello, Débora Ozório, Caio Horowicz, Bia Seidl, Kaik Pereira, Miguel Nader, Clarissa Müller, Adriano Garib, Enrico Cardoso and Eri Johnson.