With around 20,000 visitors throughout the event, the festival not only reinforced its position as a vital platform for contemporary cinema but also generated a substantial social and economic impact in Vila do Conde and across the northern region of Portugal.

A Festival on an International Scale

With an ambitious and diverse programme, the 33rd edition showcased 233 films from 55 countries, including 45 titles in the International Competition and 16 in the National Competition. The festival also featured 82 film screenings, 4 concerts, 2 performances, 3 exhibitions, 9 talks, 4 workshops, and 9 industry events — with 145 accredited industry professionals from France, Spain, Germany, Croatia, and the United Kingdom.

In total, the event brought together 344 film professionals, reinforcing its role as a meeting point for creators, programmers, and producers from across the globe.

Growth in Accreditation and International Attendance

The number of accreditations has been growing steadily: 687 in 2025, compared to 644 in 2024, 566 in 2023, and 498 in 2022. This growth reflects the increasing interest of professionals in the field, critics, journalists, and students who, coming from countries such as Portugal, France, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, attend the event year after year.

Cultural Tourism and Local Development

During the festival days, six accommodation units recorded occupancy rates between 95% and 100%, demonstrating Curtas’ driving role in boosting local tourism. The food and beverage sector was also among the beneficiaries, with 20 partner restaurants involved, alongside dozens of other local businesses.

The event featured the involvement of local retailers such as Farmácia Vital, Marmi Store, Bosque Concept Store, and Lanidor Vila do Conde, who took part in the new edition of the Curt'as Montras showcase contest, as well as outdoor activity companies like Brito Bike Travel and Surf In Surf & SUP, among many other partners spanning diverse areas such as catering, decoration, logistics, beverages, service vehicles, and technical support. As an event committed to promoting culture within the educational context, Curtas further strengthened its connection with local educational institutions in this edition, expanding the number of projects and activities developed in collaboration with schools.

The School of Media Arts and Design of the Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESMAD) was present at the festival venues with two exhibitions: the winning projects of MAD Jam (O Maravilhoso Grotesco) and the posters from the My Generation project. In addition to this participation, Curtas maintained its partnership with My Generation, an initiative aimed at teenagers and developed in collaboration with Escola Secundária José Régio, Escola Secundária Eça de Queirós, Agrupamento de Escolas D. Afonso Sanches, and Escola Secundária Rocha Peixoto.


In an additional effort to train and share technical knowledge, with the support of Pulsar Studio, the festival hosted a workshop on sound post-production for cinema, which welcomed over ten participants from various age groups. In parallel, six participants of the 7th edition of the European Workshop for Film Criticism — a joint initiative by Talking Shorts and the European Network for Film Discourse (The END) — were in Vila do Conde to explore short film criticism and festival coverage in various formats, both written and audiovisual. The Vila do Conde edition focused on interview writing and moderation techniques, offering participants the opportunity to interact directly with filmmakers present at the festival.

A Legacy of Community Involvement and Engagement

Curtas mobilised around 120 staff members, including trained workers and volunteers, many from educational institutions like Escola Secundária José Régio and the School of Media Arts and Design (IPP).

In addition to its international prestige, Curtas remains deeply rooted in the local community. The involvement of schools, local government, retailers, creators, and citizens makes the festival a model of cultural collaboration and sustainability.

With this highly positive outcome, Curtas Vila do Conde further establishes itself as one of the most relevant film festivals in Portugal and Europe, already looking ahead to its 34th edition as a new highlight on the national cultural calendar.

Naturally, the festival extends its gratitude to all its partners and supporters:

Municipality of Vila do Conde, Creative Europe – Media Desk, Portuguese Film and Audiovisual Institute, DCN Beers, Fricon, Centro de Arte Oliva, Pulsar Studios, Blit – Digital Studio, Auto Bemguiados, Showreel, Restart, Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth, Portuguese Authors Society, School of Arts – Catholic University of Porto, Ativo Kids, Festhome, School of Media Arts and Design (IPP), TV Cine Channels, European Film Awards, FLAD – Luso-American Development Foundation, Casa do Xisto, Os Suspeitos, RIFF – Reykjavik International Film Festival, Vienna Shorts, Videodroom, ESFAA – European Short Film Audience Award, The END – European Network for Film Discourse, La Caixa Foundation, Accíon Cultural Española, Austrian Embassy Lisbon, Portuguese Cinematheque – Cinema Museum, SkyShowtime, Spanish Embassy, French Institute Lisbon, Portugal Film Commission, Agência – Portuguese Short Film Agency, AICEP, Croatian Audiovisual Center, Midpoint Institute, Turismo de Portugal, Antena 1, Antena 3, Canal 180, Cinemax, RTP2, À Pala de Walsh, Arte Sonora, Blog Ante-Estreias, C7nema, Portuguese-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Hospitality, Municipalities of Barcelos, Famalicão, Póvoa de Varzim, e-cultura – National Centre for Culture, Gerador Magazine, Cana Q, Central Comics, Central Press, Cinema Sétima Arte, Clube da Criatividade Portugal, Fio Condutor, Rádio Futura, Hoje Vi(vi) Um Filme, Italian Cultural Institute, Rádio Onda Viva, Jornal Vilacondense, Letterboxd, Metro do Porto, Cinema Metropolis Magazine, Mutante Magazine, Primavera Sound, Rádio Linear, Rua Magazine, Tunet Rádio, Vila do Conde Municipal Auditorium, B&B Hotels, Hotel Brazão, Santana Hotel, Confiauto, Eça Agora! Guest House, Junta de Freguesia de Vila do COnde, The Lince Santa Clara, Mãos Staff, O Pátio Café, Personal Travel, Pés e Cabeceira, Youth Hostel, Special Parties, Solar – Cinematic Art Gallery, Vila do Conde Municipal Theatre, Bobbin Lace Museum, Ach Brito, ACP – Automóvel Club de Portugal, Brito Bike Travel, CISION, Escola Secundária José Régio, Aqua Service, Festival Scope, i-Colours, Impressiv 3D, Licor 35, Minerva, Cartão Jovem, Paupério Biscuits, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Vila do Conde, Surf & SUP In, Viarco Portugal, Cartão Vila Jovem, Vine Vinu, Pára!Bento Wine Bar & Grocery Store.