Lisbon & Estoril Film Festival – Portugal 2025
Background & History
The Lisbon & Estoril Film Festival (LEFFEST), now in its 19th edition, is a premier cultural event in Portugal, running from November 7 to 16, 2025, in Lisbon. Founded in 2007 by director Paulo Branco, LEFFEST has become a global platform for contemporary cinema, blending film with other arts like music, theater, and visual exhibitions. Renowned for hosting luminaries such as Francis Ford Coppola, David Lynch, Pedro Almodóvar, and Isabelle Huppert, the festival attracts thousands annually with its interdisciplinary approach.
Its commitment to showcasing innovative films, fostering debates, and engaging diverse audiences has earned praise from figures like Jim Jarmusch, who called it “one of the most fantastic festivals in the world.” LEFFEST’s 2025 edition continues its tradition of bridging cinema with cultural discourse, featuring a curated selection of international films and notable guests.
Festival Highlights
LEFFEST 2025 offers a dynamic program, including:
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- Approximately 50 films, spanning feature films, documentaries, and short films, with a focus on contemporary global cinema.
- Competitive sections: Official Selection In Competition, Discoveries, and International Film School Meetings.
- Awards: NOS Best Film, Grand Jury Award João Bénard da Costa, Jury Special Award, TAP Revelation Award, and Best Short Film Award.
- Masterclasses and debates with filmmakers, actors, and artists, fostering dialogue on cinema’s role in art and society.
- Exhibitions featuring visual artists connected to cinema, such as past showcases of David Hockney and Juliette Binoche.
- Concerts and shows, integrating music and theater, with past performers like Yasmine Hamdan and Fanny Ardant.
- Educational programs, including school sessions and events for seniors, enhance community engagement.
- International symposiums over three days, discussing contemporary art and societal themes with global thinkers.
Program Details
While the full 2025 lineup is forthcoming, LEFFEST’s program typically includes:
- Official Selection In Competition: High-quality films by emerging and established directors, competing for awards like the NOS Best Film and Grand Jury Award, João Bénard da Costa. Films must be fiction features completed within 12 months of September 2024 and not marketed outside their home country.
- Official Selection Out of Competition: National premieres of anticipated films and works by renowned directors, with guest appearances for Q&A sessions.
- Discoveries Section: Showcases innovative films, judged for the TAP Revelation Award.
- International Film School Meetings: Features short films from prestigious schools like Tisch School of the Arts (New York), EICTV (Cuba), La Fémis (France), and ESTC (Portugal), competing for the Best Short Film Award.
- Special Screenings: Interdisciplinary events combining cinema with music or theater, such as film-concerts like Les Vampires (Episodes 1–10, Nov 12–14).
- Tributes and Retrospectives: Honors cinematic pioneers with screenings, catalogs, and debates, such as the 2016 Godard retrospective.
- Thematic Programmes: Three-day symposiums with directors, writers, and artists discussing art and global issues.
- Educational Programme: Special screenings for preschool to elementary students and seniors, held at Camões High School Auditorium.
- Exhibitions and Concerts: Visual art displays and performances, such as the 2024 War and Peace exhibition and Bonga’s concert (Nov 15). The program will be announced on leffest.com by October 2025.
Date & Duration
Dates: November 7–16, 2025
Duration: 10 days
Programme announcement: Expected October 2025 on leffest.com
Ticket sales: Start October 28, 2025 (São Jorge Cinema, Tivoli BBVA Theatre, Medeia Nimas Cinema) and November 8, 2025 (Camões High School Auditorium, Teatro do Bairro)
Venues
LEFFEST 2025 spans multiple Lisbon venues, each with unique cultural significance:
- São Jorge Cinema (Av. da Liberdade 175, 1250-096 Lisboa): Historic cinema hosting main screenings and debates, contact: info@cinemasaojorge.pt, +351 21 310 34 00, cinemasaojorge.pt.
- Tivoli BBVA Theatre (Avenida da Liberdade 182A, 1250-146 Lisboa): Hosts film-concerts and major events, contact: bilheteira.tivolibbva@uau.pt, +351 213 151 050, teatrotivolibbva.pt.
- Medeia Nimas Cinema (Avenida 5 de Outubro 42B, 1050-057 Lisboa): Screens select films, contact: espaconimas@gmail.com, +351 213 574 362, medeiafilmes.com.
- Teatro do Bairro (R. Luz Soriano 63, 1200-246 Lisboa): Intimate venue for screenings, concerts, and literary events, contact: info@leffest.com, +351 939 577 078, teatrodobairro.org.
- Camões High School Auditorium (address not specified): Hosts educational screenings, concerts (e.g., Bonga, Nov 15), and symposiums, contact: info@leffest.com.
Main Location Address
São Jorge Cinema, Avenida da Liberdade 175, 1250-096 Lisboa,
Portugal Headquarters: Travessa das Pedras Negras, nº 1 – 5º andar, 1100-404 Lisboa,
Portugal Note: The headquarters is administrative; São Jorge Cinema is the primary venue for screenings.
Contact Information
General: info@leffest.com, +351 213 255 835
Press/Communication: press@leffest.com
Production/Partnerships: production@leffest.com
Programming/Film Submissions: submission@leffest.com
Director (Paulo Branco): pbranco@leffest.com
Headquarters: +351 213 255 800, Fax: +351 213 428 730
Website: leffest.com
Social media: Instagram (leffest), YouTube (youtube.com/@leffest), Facebook (facebook.com/leffest), Twitter (twitter.com/leffest)
Ticket Information
Tickets go on sale October 28, 2025 (São Jorge, Tivoli BBVA, Medeia Nimas) and November 8, 2025 (Camões, Teatro do Bairro), via Blueticket, ActiveTicket, Ticketline, or venue box offices.
- General admission: $5.40–10.80 (€5–10)
- Official Selection Out of Competition: $8.64 (€8)
- Other screenings: $6.48 (€6)
- Film-concerts (e.g., Les Vampires): $6.48 (€6)
- Concerts (e.g., Bonga): $16.20 (€15)
- Special events (e.g., Night of Poetry): $3.24 (€3)
- Free events: Zoom talks, film school meetings, select exhibitions (e.g., War and Peace, Nov 10)
- Student discount: $3.24 (€3) at physical box offices
- Free tickets for select screenings are available on the day at venue box offices, subject to availability. Check leffest.com for exceptions.
Cultural Experience
LEFFEST 2025 celebrates cinema’s intersection with music, theater, and visual arts, set against Lisbon’s vibrant cultural backdrop. Screenings at São Jorge Cinema and intimate events at Teatro do Bairro immerse audiences in global storytelling, with past guests like Willem Dafoe and Monica Bellucci. Symposiums and masterclasses spark intellectual exchange, while concerts and exhibitions enrich the experience. Lisbon’s historic avenues and local cuisine, like bacalhau and pastéis de nata, complement the festival, with dining options near Avenida da Liberdade.
Educational Initiatives
The Educational Programme engages schools and seniors:
- Special screenings for preschool to elementary students at Camões High School Auditorium.
- International Film School Meetings (Nov 13–15) showcase student shorts, fostering new talent.
- Senior-focused sessions promote inclusivity.
- Contact programming@leffest.com for educational bookings.
Accessibility
Venues offer wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and induction loops.
Free screenings (e.g., Zoom talk with Slavoj Žižek, Nov 9) enhance inclusivity.
Contact info@leffest.com for accessibility needs.
Getting There
- São Jorge Cinema:
- Metro: Avenida (Blue Line), 2-minute walk.
- Bus: Lines 709, 736 to Avenida da Liberdade.
- Car: Limited parking; use public transport.
- Airports: Lisbon Portela (7 km), taxi or metro (Red Line to Blue Line).
- Other venues: Tivoli BBVA and Medeia Nimas are walkable from São Jorge; Teatro do Bairro and Camões are accessible by bus or metro (check cp.pt or carrismundial.com).
Sustainability Initiatives
LEFFEST encourages public transport and digital ticketing to reduce environmental impact. Venues like São Jorge use energy-efficient systems, and symposiums include eco-focused discussions. Lisbon’s walkable center supports sustainable travel.
Accommodation Options
Near São Jorge Cinema:
- Luxury: Tivoli Avenida Liberdade (Avenida da Liberdade 185), from $200/night
- Mid-range: Hotel Dom Carlos Park (Av. Duque de Loulé 121), from $100/night
- Budget: Pensão Residencial Portuense (R. das Portas de Santo Antão 33), from $50/night
- Boutique: Inspira Liberdade Boutique Hotel (R. de Santa Marta 48), from $150/night. Book via booking.com or visitlisboa.com.
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FAQ's
What are the ticket prices for LEFFEST 2025?
General admission ranges from $5.40–10.80 (€5–10), with Official Selection Out of Competition at $8.64 (€8) and film-concerts at $6.48 (€6). Student discounts ($3.24) are available at box offices. Free events include symposiums and exhibitions. Buy via Blueticket, ActiveTicket, or venue box offices.
What types of films are shown at LEFFEST?
The festival screens fiction feature films, documentaries, and short films, with competitive sections for new and established directors. Only fiction features completed after September 2024 qualify for the Official Competition. Check leffest.com for the 2025 lineup.
Are there accessibility options for attendees with disabilities?
Yes, São Jorge Cinema, Tivoli BBVA, and other venues offer wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and induction loops. Contact info@leffest.com for specific needs or to reserve accessible seating.
How do I submit a film to LEFFEST 2025?
Submit fiction feature films via submission@leffest.com with a screener, link, or file, and a completed submission form from leffest.com. Films must be completed within 12 months of September 2024 and not marketed outside their home country.
How do I get to São Jorge Cinema?
Take the Blue Line metro to Avenida (2-minute walk) or buses 709, 736 to Avenida da Liberdade. From Lisbon Portela Airport (7 km), use a taxi or metro (Red Line to Blue Line). Limited parking; check cp.pt for routes.
