International Puppet Festival of Porto 2025 – Portugal

Background & History

The International Puppet Festival of Porto (FIMP), founded in 1989 by Isabel Alves Costa and João Paulo Seara Cardoso, celebrates its 36th edition in 2025. Organized by Teatro de Ferro, FIMP is a leading event in contemporary puppetry, showcasing innovative performances from global and Portuguese artists. Held across Porto and Matosinhos from September 24 to October 19, 2025, the festival blends traditional and experimental puppetry, object theater, and animated forms. With a focus on adult audiences and select family-friendly shows, FIMP has presented over 500 performances since its inception, engaging thousands with its bold artistic vision.

Festival Highlights

• Over 20 performances from 11 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Lebanon, and Spain, featuring companies like Blind Summit Theatre and Teatro de Marionetas do Porto.
• World and national premieres, such as A Abertura da Abertura 2025 (film, free) and What to do in a Puppet Emergency by Blind Summit Theatre.
• Free events: A Abertura da Abertura screenings at Porto Metro stations and online, plus talks at the FIMP Documentation Center.
• Family-friendly shows: Performances like Hunter and Anito for ages 6+.
• Workshops and exhibitions: Exploring puppetry techniques and history, hosted at venues like Espaço MIRA.
• FIMP Documentation Center: A growing archive of books, audiovisuals, and festival materials for research and artistic creation.

Program Details

The 2025 program, detailed on fimp.pt, includes:

• A Abertura da Abertura 2025 (Sep 24–Oct 19): Free film by João Pedro Trindade and Raúl Constante Pereira, shown at Porto Metro stations and online (youtube.com/@fimporto).
• Blind Summit Theatre – What to do in a Puppet Emergency (Oct 15–16): National premiere at RivoliTMP Café, a humorous guide to puppet crises.
• Hunter (Campo Alegre Café-Teatro): National premiere, a dynamic puppet show for adults.
• Anito (Campo Alegre Auditorium): National premiere, blending traditional and modern puppetry for families.
• Porto-Based Artists: Teatro de Marionetas do Porto and Teatro de Ferro present new works like A Cauda do Senhor Kat and Mario GO!.
• Workshops: Puppetry and object theater sessions at Espaço MIRA and Teatro do Bolhão.
• Exhibitions: Displays at the FIMP Documentation Center, showcasing festival archives and international puppetry. Additional performances by companies from France, Scotland, and the Philippines. Full schedule available on fimp.pt by August 2025.

Date & Duration

• Dates: September 24–October 19, 2025
• Duration: 26 days
• Programme announcement: Expected August 2025 on fimp.pt
• Ticket sales: Available via fimp.pt, teatrobolhao.pt, tnsj.pt, or venue box offices

Venues

• Teatro Municipal do Porto – Rivoli: Praça D. João I, 4000-295 Porto, Portugal
• Teatro Municipal do Porto – Campo Alegre: Rua das Estrelas, 4150-762 Porto, Portugal
• Teatro Nacional São João: Praça da Batalha, 4000-102 Porto, Portugal
• Teatro do Bolhão: Rua de Santa Catarina 694, 4000-446 Porto, Portugal
• Teatro Municipal Constantino Nery (Matosinhos): Av. D. Afonso Henriques, 4450-017 Matosinhos, Portugal
• Espaço MIRA: Rua de Miraflor 159, 4300-334 Porto, Portugal
• FIMP Documentation Center: Travessa da Formiga 65, Espaço 1, Piso 1, 4300-207 Porto, Portugal
• Porto Metro Stations: Various locations for free film screenings

Contact Information

• General: fim@fimp.pt, comunica@fimp.pt, +351 223 320 419
• Documentation Center: cdoc@fimp.pt
• Website: fimp.pt
• Social media: Facebook (facebook.com/fimporto), Instagram (instagram.com/fimporto), YouTube (youtube.com/@fimporto), Linktree (linktr.ee/fimporto)
• Ticket sales: fimp.pt, teatrobolhao.pt, tnsj.pt, or venue box offices

Ticket Information

• Individual tickets: $8.64–$21.60 (based on €8–€20, depending on venue and performance)
• Family shows (ages 6+): $8.64–$10.80 (€8–€10)
• Free events: A Abertura da Abertura 2025 screenings and select talks, subject to capacity
• Discounts: Available for under 18s, students, over 65s, and groups (contact comunica@fimp.pt)
• Purchase via: fimp.pt (online), or on-site at Rivoli, Campo Alegre, Teatro Nacional São João, Teatro do Bolhão, or Teatro Municipal Constantino Nery
• Notes: Tickets for ages 6+, wristband exchange required at venues. Check fimp.pt for exact prices by September 2025.

Cultural Experience

FIMP 2025 transforms Porto and Matosinhos into a vibrant stage for puppetry, blending art, theater, and social commentary. Performances like Hunter challenge norms, while family shows like Anito captivate younger audiences. Venues range from historic theaters to intimate spaces like Espaço MIRA, set against Porto’s Douro River backdrop. Local food stalls near venues offer pastéis de nata and francesinha, enhancing the experience. The FIMP Documentation Center provides a unique research hub, making the festival a cultural and academic landmark.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair access at Rivoli, Campo Alegre, and Teatro Nacional São João; limited at smaller venues like Espaço MIRA.
• Family-friendly shows for ages 6+ with adult supervision.
• Contact comunica@fimp.pt for accessibility details or to arrange assistance.
• Subtitles in Portuguese for select performances.

Getting There

• Teatro Municipal do Porto – Rivoli:
  • Metro: Aliados (Line D), 5-minute walk
  • Bus: Lines 200, 207 to Praça D. João I
• Teatro Municipal do Porto – Campo Alegre:
  • Bus: Lines 200, 204 to Campo Alegre
• Teatro Nacional São João:
  • Metro: São Bento (Line D), 5-minute walk
• Teatro do Bolhão:
  • Metro: Bolhão (Line D), 3-minute walk
• Teatro Municipal Constantino Nery (Matosinhos):
  • Metro: Matosinhos Sul (Line A), 10-minute walk
• Espaço MIRA:
  • Bus: Line 301 to Miraflor
• FIMP Documentation Center:
  • Metro: Campanhã (Lines A, B, C, E), 10-minute walk
• Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro (15 km), taxi or metro (Line E to Campanhã)
• Check stcp.pt or metrodoporto.pt for schedules.

Sustainability Initiatives

FIMP promotes eco-friendly practices with digital ticketing, recycling stations at venues, and public transport encouragement. The festival’s partnership with Metro do Porto for free screenings reduces environmental impact, aligning with its community-focused ethos.

Accommodation Options

Near Porto venues:

• Luxury: The Yeatman (Vila Nova de Gaia), from $300/night
• Mid-range: Pestana Vintage Porto (Ribeira), from $200/night
• Budget: Moov Hotel Porto Centro (Baixa), from $70/night
• Boutique: Torel Avantgarde (Cedofeita), from $180/night Near Matosinhos:
• Mid-range: Hotel Eurostars Porto (Rua Dr. Magalhães Lemos), from $100/night Book via booking.com or visitporto.travel.

Code of Conduct

FIMP enforces a respectful environment, prohibiting discrimination, harassment, or disruptive behavior. Smoking, eating, and recording are banned in venues. Violations result in removal. Report issues to staff or comunica@fimp.pt.

Artist Submissions

Artists can submit proposals for performances or workshops by emailing comunica@fimp.pt by June 2025. Include project details and media samples. Programming occurs early each year.