Filmaporto opens applications for grants, with increased funding per project

Five projects will be supported in this round, with a total investment of 125,000 euros earmarked for audiovisual production.

Applications are open until 3 August for the new edition of the Filmaporto Grants, a programme supporting audiovisual production run by Filmaporto — film commission. This year, each of the five grants is worth 25,000 euros, 5,000 euros more than in the previous edition, thereby increasing the investment.

As in previous editions, the programme is organised into two categories: the Neves Grant, aimed at filmmakers or artists residing in the municipalities of Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia or Matosinhos, who apply individually or in partnership with production companies based in those municipalities, with grants awarded to three projects; and the Pascaud Grant, aimed at creators living outside these municipalities, in collaboration with production companies based in Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia or Matosinhos, supporting two projects.

Funding is intended for works of fiction, documentaries, animation, series for television, the web or other audiovisual platforms, as well as experimental cinema and video essays; projects must be produced between October 2026 and November 2028.

Under the Bolsa Neves scheme, pre-production, filming or post-production must take place in the municipalities of Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia or Matosinhos. Under the Bolsa Pascaud scheme, projects must be produced and filmed entirely in one of these three municipalities, although exceptions of up to 10 per cent of the total duration of the work may be permitted, subject to the jury’s approval.

Each project must ensure that at least 60 per cent of the artistic and technical team are residents of the municipalities of Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia or Matosinhos.

Applications must be submitted by 6.00 pm on 3 August via info@filmaporto.pt. The rules and assessment criteria are available on the Filmaporto website.

Projects will be selected by a jury comprising Denise Fernandes (filmmaker), Felipe Lage Coro (film producer) and Pedro Pinho (filmmaker).

Established in 2021, the Filmaporto Grants aim to stimulate film production in Porto, boost employability in the local audiovisual sector and consolidate the city’s position as a leading destination for film and audiovisual projects.

Over the course of five editions, the programme has already supported 25 projects, several of which have made their mark at some of the most prestigious film festivals in Portugal and abroad.