Curtinhas
The Curtinhas section brings back some of Curtas’ most energetic and entertaining films. Three competitions, tailored to three different age groups (3+, 6+, and 9+), will be screened and carefully judged by a thoughtful panel of children aged 8 to 12.
This year's Curtinhas also introduces several exciting new features. The opening session will be a live cinema concert, pairing the whimsical, pioneering silent films of Spanish filmmaking visionary Segundo de Chomón with a specially created live musical performance. Curtinhas CineScience combines the magic of cinema with scientific curiosity, while the Planetarium Screenings offer an immersive cinematic experience, with films projected onto a 360-degree dome.
But Curtinhas is about much more than films. Children and their families can also take part in our workshops, which combine hands-on learning with opportunities to have fun together.
Film Concert Segundo de Chomón
duo tangente + Coro de Vila do Conde
- The Electric Hotel, 1908, France, FIC, 11'
- King of Dollares, 1905, France, FIC, 3'
- The Express Sculptor, 1907, France, FIC, 5'
- The Music Lesson, 1909, France, FIC, 6'
- Slippery Jim, 1909, France, FIC, 12'
- Easter Eggs, 1907, France, FIC, 6'
- Ki Ri Ki, Japanese Acrobats, 1907, France, DOC, 4'
- An Awful Symphony, 1909, France, FIC, 5'
Opening this year's Curtinhas programme, this live cinema concert is a collaboration with duo tangente—formed by Beatriz Rola and Inês Lapa—and the Vila do Conde Choir, conducted by Tiago André Pereira. It invites families, children and the local community to come together for a shared experience of discovery, imagination and togetherness.
Built around a selection of short films by Segundo de Chomón, one of cinema's great pioneers, the programme transports audiences into a world of visual tricks, unexpected transformations and small cinematic wonders that continue to delight viewers of all ages.
©Carlos Fernandes
Film Screenings
Three competitions, designed for three different age groups (3+, 6+, 9+), will be screened and carefully judged by a thoughtful panel of children aged 8 to 12.
Curtinhas M/3
The Curtinhas M/3 programme brings together seven delightful short films celebrating the delicate balance of the natural world. Full of fun and adventure, this programme is recommended for children aged 3 and over, but audiences of all ages are welcome.
— Piccolo Piccolo
Marta Gennari
2026, Crotia, Slovenia, ANI, 10'
— Serpentear Mão Verde x Serpentina
Macedo Cannatà
2025, Portugal, ANI, 2'
— Time
Robert Löbel, Max Mörtl
2025, Germany, ANI, 6'
— Duet
Léo Brunel
2025, France, ANI, 1'
— The Sky Was Candy
Anh Tú Nguyen
2025, Germany, ANI, 3'
— Bats & Bugs
Lena von Döhren
206, Switzerland, ANI, 11'
— Nöelle's Barn
Pascale Hecquet
2025, Belgium, France, ANI, 6'
— Lena's Farm: A Very Special Meal
Elena Walf
2025, Croatia, Germnay, ANI, 5'
— Little Wings
Jefrmova Dajana
2025, Latvia, ANI, 5'
Curtinhas M/6
The Curtinhas M/6 programme features six short films that explore the rich world of emotions. From fear and happiness to sadness and joy, these animated stories are sure to resonate with audiences of all ages.
— Sketches on Ice
Mairon Auvin
2025, Belgium, France, ANI, 4'
— Wolfie
Philippe Kastner
2025, Czechia, ANI, 13'
— Birds of Paradise
Tomek Ducki
2025, Poland, França, ANI, 8'
— Lena's Farm: Jam and Wood
Elena Walf
2025, Croatia, Germany, ANI, 5'
— Up in Heaven
Nicolás Sole
2026, Spain, ANI, 15'
— Into the Forest
Antonin Niclass
2026, Switzerland, ANI/FIC, 10'
Curtinhas M/9
The Curtinhas M/9 programme brings together seven animated short films filled with adventure, unexpected twists and unforgettable characters, while also exploring themes such as loneliness, grief and acceptance of others. Recommended for children aged 9 and over, these stories invite audiences to reflect on the meaning of life and the relationships that shape our world.
— The Great Dreamscape
Rémi Durin
2025, Belgium France, ANI, 29'
— The Day I Licked a Pebble
Goli Atefi, Marie Pijollet, Nathan Jauze, Maud Kolasa, Chloé Bernuchon, Flavie Eliézer
2025, France, ANI, 7'
— Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe!
Andrea Szelesová
2026, Czechia, Slovakia, ANI, 13'
— The day we became heroes
Selini Papageorgiou
2025, Greece, FIC, 15'
Curtinhas CineCiência
The CineScience section brings cinema and scientific discovery together through a selection of films specially curated for younger audiences. Blending questions, experiments and fresh perspectives on the world around us, these screenings invite children and their families to explore scientific ideas in a fun and accessible way. An opportunity to learn, imagine and discover how cinema can open the door to knowledge.
— Fin People
Veronika Hozjan
2026, Croatia, Slovenia, ANI, 10'
— Growing Sprouts
Béatrice Herzig
2026, Switzerland, ANI, 9'
— Kosmogonia
Karolina Chabier
2026, France, Portugal, Poland, Belgium, ANI, 16'
— Cartoon Physics
Ru Kuwahata, Max Porter
2026, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, ANI, 11'
— Signal
Emma Carré, Mathilde Parquet
2025, Belgium, France, ANI, 17'
Curtinhas at the Planetarium
At the Planetarium screenings at the Centro Ciência Viva, audiences will enjoy an immersive cinematic experience, with films projected onto a 360-degree dome. Children and parents are invited to discover three films featuring funny and curious characters who love carrying out scientific experiments and embark on an exciting journey into space!
TICKETS
— 3-2-1: Liftoff!
Martin Živocký, Filip Veselý
2021, Czechia, ANI, 36'
— Vítor e Sofia vão à Lua
Filipe Pires, Paulo Pereira, Ricardo Reis
2019, Portugal, ANI, 18'
— Há Formas no Espaço
Ilídio André Costa, Ricardo Cardoso Reis, Inês Dias, Rita Fonseca, Tânia Cunha, Paulo Pereira, Filipe Pires
2019, Portugal, ANI, 18'
Curtinhas Awards Ceremony
At this awards ceremony for the Curtinhas competition, the jury, composed of a group of 12 children between the ages of 8 and 12, will present the trophies to the winning films.
SUN · 26 JUL · 15:00
Room 2 · Teatro Municipal
Closing Party
We invite families to join us in the garden of the Museu das Rendas de Bilros, for the much-anticipated and fun closing party for Curtinhas.
SUN · 26 JUL · 16:00
Outdoor Screening · Jardim do Museu das Rendas de Bilros
Free Admission
Workshops
The Curtinhas section of Curtas Vila do Conde – International Film Festival offers a range of activities for children and families, including a series of fun and creative workshops.
These educational activities, which this year explore the relationship between sound and image, give children the opportunity to develop their creativity while learning through play.
CURTIR O SOM
- For children aged 6 and over
SAT · 18 JUL · 10:00
Brincar ao Cinema Children’s Space · 2nd Floor of Teatro Municipal
Get ready for a fascinating journey through the world of acoustics! Explore high-pitched and low-pitched sounds, learn to identify them, and discover how they’re produced. Try out different musical instruments, create new sounds, and challenge your ears to recognize a wide variety of sounds.
DESENHA COM SOM!
- For children aged 4 and over
SAT · 25 JUL · 15:00
Brincar ao Cinema Children’s Space · Piso 2 do Teatro Municipal
How can sound draw? With the help of an oscilloscope, we’ll discover how sound waves are transformed into shapes and moving images. Then, we’ll experiment with different sounds, create soundscapes, and observe how music can take on a visual form. A fun and surprising experience that brings together art, technology, and imagination, showing that sound is much more than what we hear.
BEDÊ DE MÃO EM MÃO
- For children aged 8 and over
SUN · 26 JUL · 10:00
Brincar ao Cinema Children’s Space · Piso 2 do Teatro Municipal
In this workshop, we’ll discover what comics are and explore their main elements: characters, panels, speech bubbles, and visual storytelling. Finally, everyone’s ideas will be passed from person to person until they’re transformed into stories and drawings in a collaborative comic.
For more information, please contact us by email (s.educativo@curtas.pt) or by phone (+351 252 631 200).
Special Screenings
For study centres and groups (advance booking required)
22 JUL · 11:30
Auditório Municipal de Vila do Conde
Curtinhas Pricing
Film Screenings
Under 16s: €2.50
Over 16s: €5.00
Family Ticket: €10.00
(for 2 adults and 2 children)
Curtinhas Workshops: €7.00
Information and Bookings
Kid's Area
At the Brincar ao Cinema children’s space, a variety of activities designed for children aged 4 to 12 take place, offering an environment of discovery, fun and learning. While younger audiences explore the world of cinema through playful activities guided by a specialised team, adults can enjoy the festival screenings knowing that their children are in good hands.
19 - 26 JUL, 14:30 - 23:30
CHILDREN’S SPACE: BRINCAR AO CINEMA
2nd Floor · Teatro Municipal Vila do Conde
[Ages 4 - 12 | Max. 15 children]
*free access upon presentation of a ticket for a cinema screening taking place at the same time.
Conto Contigo - Book Readings & Play
The programme of story readings and playful activities, dedicated to children and families and usually held on the second Saturday of each month, will take place during Curtinhas. Led by Xana Miranda, the activity includes a dramatised reading of a children’s story, followed by a surprise creative activity.
SAT · 25 JUL · 17:00
Brincar ao Cinema Children’s Space · 2nd Floor of Teatro Municipal
Curtas Vila do Conde
Contacts
Curtas Vila do Conde
International Film Festival
Praça José Régio, 110
4480-718 Vila do Conde
Portugal
T +351 25 2646516 / 252 643386 (National fixed network call)
E-mail: info@curtas.pt
© 2026 Curtas Metragens, CRL
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