New Encounters in Portuguese Cinema: programme available

The full programme for New Encounters in Portuguese Cinema is now available. The initiative — organised by Batalha Centro de Cinema, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian and Clube Português de Cinematografia–Cineclube do Porto — is a forum for discussion regarding the Portuguese cinema sector that will take place at Batalha, in Porto, from 6–7 June.

New Encounters in Portuguese Cinema follows on from Semana dos Encontros do Novo Cinema Português (Encounters in New Portuguese Cinema Week), which took place at Batalha in 1967. Organised by Cineclube do Porto with the support of Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian and Porto City Council, this event was pivotal in defining subsequent funding policies for film production in Portugal. The conference brought together contributors from all over the country: young artists just starting out; established directors; film club members; writers; journalists; and other figures from the cultural scene in Portugal.

Now in 2023, the same organisers propose a new set of encounters in Porto. Taking place over two days, the programme includes four discussion panels led by guest researchers — Education (Carlos Natálio), Production (Mariana Liz), Crítica (José Bértolo) and Distribution and Exhibition (Paulo Cunha) — and involving representatives from the sector, including associations, producers, film festivals and distributors, academics and journalists.

The New Encounters programme, which is free to attend, begins on Tuesday 6 June at 10:00, with an opening session. At 10:30, Carlos Natálio presents the findings of the Education research stream, followed by a discussion with João Rodrigues (Filhos de Lumiére); João Mário Grilo; Lubanzadyo Mpemba (UNA — União Negra das Artes); Manuel Guerra; Miguel Dias (Curtas Vila do Conde); and Sílvia Bereny. In the afternoon, at 14:30, Mariana Liz analyses the Production sector in a session followed by a discussion with the associations APAD — Associação Portuguesa de Argumentistas e Dramaturgos; APCA — Associação Produtoras Cinema Audiovisual; APNEIA —Associação de Produtores do Norte e Empresários Independentes do Audiovisual; APR — Associação Portuguesa Realizadores; APTA — Associação Portuguesa de Técnicos de Audiovisual; and PCIA — Produtores de Cinema Independentes Audiovisual.

On Wednesday 7 June, at 10:30, José Bértolo presents the Criticism research stream and moderates a discussion with Luís Mendonça (À Pala de Walsh); Pedro Mexia; Rodrigo Francisco (Cineclube de Viseu/Argumento); Saguenail; Teresa Vieira; and Vasco Câmara. At 14:30, Paulo Cunha looks at the Distribution and Exhibition sector, followed by a discussion with Ana Isabel Strindberg (Portugal Film/IndieLisboa); Dario Oliveira (Porto/Post/Doc); João Vintém (Filmin); João Matos (APORDOC/Doclisboa); Pedro Borges (Midas Filmes); and Tiago Santos (Casa do Cinema de Coimbra/Festival Caminhos do Cinema Português). At 17:30 there will be a closing session to round up the discussion. The New Encounters programme ends at 19:15 with a film screening — part of Batalha’s Seleção Nacional series — featuring the films Altas Cidades de Ossadas, by João Salaviza, and Os Demónios de Alcácer Quibir, by José Fonseca e Costa.

New Encounters in Portuguese Cinema will result in a public document communicating the reflections and conclusions drawn throughout the process of research, preparation and execution of the initiative.

Full programme:

Free entry, tickets can be picked up on the day from 9.30am.

Full programme:

Free entry, tickets can be picked up on the day from 9.30am.

Tuesday 6 June

10:00 — Opening session

10:30 — Education

Research presented by Carlos Natálio

Discussion:

Carlos Natálio (moderator)

João Rodrigues (Filhos de Lumiére)

João Mário Grilo

Lubanzadyo Mpemba (UNA — União Negra das Artes)

Manuel Guerra

Miguel Dias (Curtas Vila do Conde)

Sílvia Bereny

14:30 — Production

Research presented by Mariana Liz

Discussion:

Mariana Liz (moderator)

APAD — Associação Portuguesa de Argumentistas e Dramaturgos (Vasco Monteiro)
APCA — Associação Produtoras Cinema Audiovisual (Fernando Vendrell)
APNEIA — Associação de Produtores do Norte e Empresários Independentes do Audiovisual (David Doutel)
APPA — Associação Portuguesa de Produtores de Animação (Nuno Amorim)
APR — Associação Portuguesa Realizadores (Mariana Gaivão)
APTA — Associação Portuguesa de Técnicos de Audiovisual (Jorge Costa)
PCIA — Produtores de Cinema Independentes Audiovisual (Luís Urbano)

Wednesday 7 June

10:30 — Criticism

Research presented by José Bértolo

Discussion

José Bértolo (moderator)

Luís Mendonça (À Pala de Walsh)

Pedro Mexia

Rodrigo Francisco (Cineclube de Viseu/Argumento)