Looks of the Mediterranean – Women’s Film Festival – Lisbon, Portugal 2025

Background & History

Olhares do Mediterrâneo – Women’s Film Festival, established in 2014, is Portugal’s first international film festival dedicated to female filmmakers, with a focus on Mediterranean countries. Its 12th edition, running from October 28 to November 6, 2025, in Lisbon, celebrates women’s contributions to cinema through screenings, workshops, and cultural activities.

Organized by Olhares do Mediterrâneo – Associação Cultural and CRIA (Centre for Research in Anthropology), the festival has screened hundreds of films over its history, partnering with Films Femmes Méditerranée in Marseille. Past winners include Asmae El Moudir’s The Mother of All Lies (2024) and Valérie Manns’ First Year Out (2021). The 2025 theme, to be announced, builds on 2024’s “Everyday Revolutions,” emphasizing social change and cultural diversity.

Festival Highlights

• Over 50 films (fiction, documentary, animation, experimental) by women from Mediterranean countries and Portugal, including national premieres.
• PITCH YOUR SHORT! workshop (Oct 30–31) for eight emerging women filmmakers, mentored by producers Andreia Nunes (Portugal) and Ena Rahelić (Croatia).
• Parallel activities: Music performances, visual art exhibitions, and debates exploring Mediterranean cultural diversity.
• Free screenings and events, such as pre-festival warm-ups and select community sessions.
• Awards: Jury Awards, Travessias Award, Começar a Olhar (school films), Inatel Award, and Audience Awards, plus the MUTIM Award for best pitch.
• Subtitles in English and Portuguese for all films, ensuring accessibility.

Program Details

The 12th edition, held October 28–November 6, 2025, features a diverse program detailed on olharesdomediterraneo.org:

• Film Screenings: Fiction, documentaries, animations, and experimental films by women from 22+ Mediterranean countries, including past highlights like The Mother of All Lies (Asmae El Moudir) and Las Chicas Están Bien (Itsaso Arana).
• PITCH YOUR SHORT! (Oct 30–31):
  • Online training (Sep–Oct) and in-person sessions in Lisbon for eight women filmmakers.
  • Pitch presentation to industry professionals on Oct 31, with the MUTIM Award offering free training with the Portuguese Association of Women Workers in Moving Images.
  • Application deadline: August 31, 2025 (submit CV, synopsis, logline, etc., to festival@olharesdomediterraneo.org).
• Exhibitions and Performances:
  • Visual arts program, Fragments of the Mediterranean (Oct 24–Nov 10, Casa do Comum), curated by Alexia Alexandropoulou, featuring works by Lelle Demertzi and Pinelopi Triantafyllou.
  • Mediterranean music workshops, such as canto workshops, are inspired by traditional songs.
• Symposium and Debates:
  • Conference on women in Portuguese cinema (Oct 25, Corte Inglês), moderated by Rita Bénis (MUTIM), with directors Claudia Clemente and Margarida Gil.
  • Free public talks at Goethe Institut and Casa do Comum, addressing gender and cultural narratives.
• Warm-Up Events:
  • Free screenings of Palestinian shorts (Oct 17, 24) at Terraço do Graal, supporting Shashat Woman Cinema.
  • Shortcutz session (Oct 29, Cossoul) previewing Chasing the Sun: El Shatt by Ana Bilankov. Full program and schedule to be updated on olharesdomediterraneo.org by September 2025.

Date & Duration

• Dates: October 28–November 6, 2025
• Duration: 10 days
• Programme announcement: Expected September 2025 on olharesdomediterraneo.org
• Ticket sales: Available via olharesdomediterraneo.org, cinema-sao-jorge.pt, or on-site at venues

Venues

• Cinema São Jorge: Main venue for film screenings and events.
• Cinemateca Portuguesa – Museu do Cinema: Hosts screenings and retrospectives.
• Casa do Comum: Venue for visual arts and community events.
• Goethe Institut: Hosts talks and workshops.
• Terraço do Graal: Pre-festival screenings and discussions.
• Cossoul: Shortcutz preview sessions.

Main Location Addresses

• Cinema São Jorge: Avenida da Liberdade, 175, 1250-141 Lisbon, Portugal
• Cinemateca Portuguesa – Museu do Cinema: Rua Barata Salgueiro 39, 1269-059 Lisbon, Portugal
• Casa do Comum: Rua da Madalena, 147, 1100-318 Lisbon, Portugal
• Goethe Institut: Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 37, 1150-225 Lisbon, Portugal
• Terraço do Graal: Rua Luciano Cordeiro, 24, 6º A, 1150-215 Lisbon, Portugal
• Cossoul: Rua Nova da Piedade, 66, 1200-298 Lisbon, Portugal

Contact Information

• General: geral@olharesdomediterraneo.org
• Pitch submissions: festival@olharesdomediterraneo.org
• Phone: Not listed; use email for inquiries
• Website: olharesdomediterraneo.org
• Social media: Facebook (facebook.com/OlharesdoMediterraneo), Instagram (instagram.com/olhares_do_mediterraneo), YouTube (youtube.com/@OlharesdoMediterraneo)
• Ticket sales: olharesdomediterraneo.org, cinema-sao-jorge.pt, or venue box offices

Ticket Information

• Cinemateca Portuguesa (based on 2024 prices):
  • Regular single session: $3.58 (€3.20)
  • Discounted (friends, cinema students, unemployed): $1.51 (€1.35)
  • Youth/Senior/Students/Retirees: $2.41 (€2.15)
• Cinema São Jorge:
  • Regular session ticket: $5.04 (€4.50)
  • Discounted (<30, >65, unemployed): $4.48 (€4.00)
  • Festival “Friends” rate (AMIGOS): $3.36 (€3.00)
  • Pack of 5 sessions: $19.04 (€17.00)
  • Family ticket (Sunday matinée): $11.20 (€10.00)
• Free events: Warm-up screenings (e.g., Oct 17, 24 at Terraço do Graal), select talks, and PITCH YOUR SHORT! workshop (participants cover travel/accommodation).
• Purchase via: olharesdomediterraneo.org, cinema-sao-jorge.pt, or on-site at Cinema São Jorge and Cinemateca Portuguesa box offices.
• Notes: 2025 prices pending confirmation; check olharesdomediterraneo.org by September 2025. Tickets for ages 6+. No refunds except for cancellations or program changes.

Cultural Experience

Olhares do Mediterrâneo transforms Lisbon into a vibrant showcase of Mediterranean women’s cinema, set against the city’s historic charm. Films like Foragers by Jumana Manna and exhibitions like Fragments of the Mediterranean explore cultural identity and gender dynamics.

Attendees can enjoy Lisbon’s culinary scene, such as bacalhau à Brás, at nearby restaurants in Bairro Alto. Free events, including Palestinian short film screenings and music workshops, foster inclusivity, while the festival’s focus on women filmmakers amplifies underrepresented voices.

Accessibility

• Cinema São Jorge and Cinemateca Portuguesa offer wheelchair-accessible seating and facilities.
• Casa do Comum and Terraço do Graal have limited accessibility; contact geral@olharesdomediterraneo.org for assistance.
• All films are subtitled in English and Portuguese.
• Ages 6+ for screenings; auditory protection recommended for select performances.
• Goethe Institut provides accessible spaces for talks; confirm via email.

Getting There

• Cinema São Jorge:
  • Metro: Avenida (Blue Line), 5-minute walk
  • Bus: Lines 709, 736 to Avenida da Liberdade
• Cinemateca Portuguesa:
  • Metro: Marquês de Pombal (Blue/Yellow Line), 7-minute walk
  • Bus: Lines 720, 738 to Rua Barata Salgueiro
• Casa do Comum:
  • Metro: Baixa-Chiado (Blue/Green Line), 10-minute walk
  • Bus: Line 758 to Rua da Madalena
• Goethe Institut:
  • Metro: Rato (Yellow Line), 10-minute walk
  • Bus: Line 773 to Campo dos Mártires
• Terraço do Graal/Cossoul:
  • Metro: Rato or Baixa-Chiado, 10–15-minute walk
  • Bus: Line 758 to Rua Luciano Cordeiro
• Airport: Lisbon Portela (7 km), taxi or metro (Red Line to Blue Line) to city center
• Check carrismetro.pt or transporlis.pt for schedules.

Sustainability Initiatives

The festival promotes eco-conscious practices with digital ticketing, recycling at venues, and partnerships with local organizations to reduce waste. Public transport is encouraged, with discounts for metro/bus users presenting tickets (check olharesdomediterraneo.org).

Submission Opportunities

• Film Submissions: Women filmmakers from Mediterranean countries or Portugal can submit fiction, documentary, animation, or experimental films made in 2023–2025. Deadline: April 15, 2025. Apply via olharesdomediterraneo.org.
• PITCH YOUR SHORT!: Open to women filmmakers (first/second short film). Submit CV, synopsis, and materials by August 31, 2025, to festival@olharesdomediterraneo.org.

Awards and Recognition

• Jury Awards: Best Feature, Best Short, Honorable Mentions.
• Travessias Award: Best film addressing migration or cultural themes.
• Começar a Olhar: Best school film.
• Inatel Award: Best Portuguese school short.
• Audience Awards: Best Feature and Short, voted by attendees.
• MUTIM Award: Free training for the best pitch winner.

Accommodation Options

Near Lisbon venues:

• Luxury: Altis Avenida Hotel (Avenida da Liberdade, 1250-096), from $200/night
• Mid-range: Hotel Mundial (Praça Martim Moniz, 1100-341), from $100/night
• Budget: Lisbon Destination Hostel (Rossio Station, 1100-286), from $40/night
• Boutique: Memmo Alfama (Travessa Merceeiras, 1100-334), from $150/night Book via booking.com or visitlisboa.com.

Code of Conduct

The festival enforces zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, or disruptive behavior. Smoking, eating, and recording are prohibited in venues. Respect for staff, filmmakers, and Lisbon’s community is required. Violations result in removal. Report issues to geral@olharesdomediterraneo.org.