Between July 11 and 17, the village of Macieira de Rates, in Barcelos, will host the eighth edition of the Immersive 16mm Film Laboratory, bringing together artists and filmmakers of various nationalities. During an intensive week, participants will develop films on film stock, using ecological development techniques with natural elements such as plants and coffee. At the same time, they will construct soundscapes from sounds collected in the area.

The laboratory is led by Ricardo Leite, creator of the Alquimia do Cinema technique, with the assistance of artist Juliana Julieta. The initiative promotes a collective creative process, with a strong emphasis on sharing technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge—principles that define the philosophy of Casa do Xisto as a space for conscious and sustainable artistic experimentation.

The partnership culminates on July 16 with a public outdoor screening in the Casa do Xisto Garden, as part of the official program of Curtas Vila do Conde. The exhibition presents the films made during the residency, celebrating the convergence between cinema, territory, and ecology.