The 34th edition of Curtas Vila do Conde – International Film Festival once again reaffirmed its position as one of the most important platforms dedicated to short filmmaking in Portugal and on the international stage. Over the course of ten days, Vila do Conde hosted a programme marked by artistic quality, diversity and dialogue between different geographies, languages and forms of creation, bringing together filmmakers, artists, industry professionals and audiences from different generations.

The International, National and Experimental Competitions once again confirmed the festival’s role in discovering new filmmakers and presenting some of the most relevant works produced over the past year. The awards reflected the diversity of the programme, with the International Competition Grand Prize awarded to Ibrahim Omar for Nothing Happens After Your Absence, the National Competition Grand Prize going to João Pedro Barriga for From Silence to Word, and the Experimental Competition Grand Prize awarded to Basma Alsharif for Morgenkreis.

Among the highlights of this edition was the In Focus programme, dedicated to Todd Haynes and Christine Vachon, Miranda Pennell and Mohammad Rasoulof, offering audiences in Portugal a unique opportunity to engage with the work and careers of some of the most influential figures in contemporary cinema. Their presence in Vila do Conde, through retrospectives, screenings, presentations and public conversations, became one of the defining moments of the festival and further reinforced its international dimension. At the same time, Solar – Cinematic Art Gallery presented the exhibition H is for History N is for Now, by Miranda Pennell, extending the dialogue between cinema and visual arts.

The discovery of new talent remained at the heart of the festival’s programme through New Voices, dedicated this year to Spanish filmmaker Guillermo Galoe, while Cinema Revisited celebrated the work of John Smith and Bette Gordon, two key figures in experimental and independent cinema, whose presence in Vila do Conde provided audiences with a unique opportunity to engage directly with major authors in film history.

Audience development and renewal remained central priorities of the festival through initiatives such as Curtinhas, My Generation and the launch of Pet Curtas, strengthening Curtas Vila do Conde’s commitment to inclusion, accessibility and the creation of new forms of participation around cinema. At the same time, Curtas Pro once again established itself as an essential meeting point for industry professionals, fostering exchange, reflection and the development of the short film sector.

This broad and inclusive dimension of the festival was also reflected in audience engagement: the 34th edition once again surpassed the 20,000-participant mark, counting attendance at film screenings, visits to exhibitions, participation in parallel activities and involvement in the Curtas Pro programme. This achievement confirms the festival’s ability to engage diverse audiences and reinforces its importance as a cultural project deeply rooted in Vila do Conde while maintaining a strong international profile.

More than a film festival, Curtas Vila do Conde continues to establish itself as a meeting place for artists, audiences, the local community and the wider cultural landscape, promoting contemporary creation, supporting emerging talent and strengthening the relationship built over more than three decades with its audiences and territory. The quality of the programme, the presence of major international figures and the recognition awarded to the winning films confirm the festival’s relevance within the international film circuit and its ongoing commitment to the future of cinema.