13th Olhares do Mediterrâneo – Women’s Film Festival 2026 | Lisbon, Portugal
Overview
Olhares do Mediterrâneo – Women’s Film Festival is the oldest film festival in Portugal dedicated exclusively to female cinematography. Founded in 2014, it serves as a vital international platform for films directed by women from Mediterranean countries and Portugal. The festival’s primary mission is to provide visibility to women’s voices in the global seventh art, showcasing stories that challenge stereotypes and explore the social, political, and cultural complexities of the Mediterranean region.
The 13th edition in 2026 continues its legacy of artistic activism, bringing together a diverse selection of feature-length and short films across various genres, including fiction, documentary, and animation. Organized by the Olhares do Mediterrâneo Cultural Association in partnership with CRIA (Center for Research in Anthropology), the festival creates a unique space for reflection. It often features thematic sections like “Travessias” (Crossings), which focuses on migration and human rights, and “Começar a Olhar” (Beginning to Look), dedicated to school-produced films.
Beyond the theater screen, the festival transforms Lisbon into a vibrant hub of intellectual exchange. The program is enriched with parallel activities such as masterclasses, workshops, and high-level debates involving directors, researchers, and social activists. By fostering dialogue between the filmmakers and the public, Olhares do Mediterrâneo remains an essential cultural event that uses cinema as a tool for social engagement and the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Enjoy Your Event Stress-Free with Euro Travelo
Planning a trip to attend a festival, concert, or business event in Europe can be overwhelming—tickets, travel, accommodation, and local logistics all take time and effort. Euro Travelo makes it simple by providing everything you need through one trusted company. You save time, avoid stress, and enjoy a seamless experience from start to finish.
Event Highlights
- Competitive Film Sections: Awards are presented for Best Feature and Best Short Film, including the prestigious Silver Seagull and Travessias awards for excellence in female storytelling.
- Parallel Cultural Activities: A robust schedule of masterclasses, workshops for adults and children, and interdisciplinary sessions linking cinema to music and visual arts.
- National and World Premieres: The festival frequently debuts dozens of films never before seen in Portugal, offering a first look at the avant-garde of Mediterranean female cinema.
- Thematic Debates: Engaging post-screening round tables that tackle urgent issues like environmental resistance, gender equality, and contemporary Mediterranean social movements.
Why Attend
Film enthusiasts and advocates for gender equality should attend to discover a curated selection of films that are rarely accessible in mainstream commercial cinema. The festival offers a unique lens into the “female gaze” from the Mediterranean, providing a fresh and necessary perspective on the world through high-quality independent productions.
Professionals in the audiovisual industry and students of anthropology or social sciences will find the festival to be an invaluable networking and learning environment. The intimate setting of Lisbon’s historic theaters allows for direct interaction with international directors and curators, making it a perfect destination for those looking to deepen their understanding of socially engaged cinema.
Date & Duration
- Event Dates: In the month of November (Dates to be announced).
- Total Duration: Typically runs for 7 to 10 consecutive days.
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: Tickets are available online through the festival’s official website and Ticketline, as well as at the box offices of Cinema São Jorge and the Cinemateca Portuguesa.
- Admission Type: Admission is sold via individual session tickets, multi-film booklets, or full festival “Free-Pass” (Livre-trânsito) badges; debates are typically free.
- Ticket Pricing: Individual session tickets are generally priced between $4.50 and $6.20, while a 5-session pack is approximately $19.00.
- Price Range: Prices start as low as $1.50 for student/concession tickets at the Cinemateca and reach up to $33.00 for a full festival pass.
- Special Seating or VIP Options: Discounted tickets are available for students (<30), seniors (>65), and the unemployed; family tickets for Sunday matinées are typically priced around $11.00.
Venue / Location
- City and Country: Lisbon, Portugal.
- Venue: Multiple locations including Cinema São Jorge, Cinemateca Portuguesa, and the Museu do Aljube.
- Google Maps Address: Av. da Liberdade 175, 1250-141 Lisboa, Portugal.
Worried about accommodation? Hotels near this event sell out quickly, and prices tend to rise fast. Check out these accommodation options:
Booking with Euro Travelo
Looking to attend this event hassle-free? Euro Travelo can help you secure tickets, arrange travel, and manage your trip from start to finish. Whether it’s a business conference, trade show, or cultural festival, our team makes it easy for international visitors to join events across Europe. Contact Euro Travelo today to book your tickets and travel arrangements.
Contact Information
- Email: geral@olharesdomediterraneo.org
- Phone: +351 213 103 400
- Website: www.olharesdomediterraneo.org
- Social Media:
- https://www.facebook.com/OlharesdoMediterraneo/
- https://www.instagram.com/olhares_do_mediterraneo/
Getting There
- Nearest Airports: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), 7 km from center (~20 minutes by metro or taxi).
- Public Transport: Take the Metro Blue Line to Avenida for Cinema São Jorge; numerous Carris buses (711, 736) serve the main festival venues.
- Taxi/Rideshare: Taxis from the airport to Avenida da Liberdade cost roughly $16.00 to $22.00; Uber and Bolt are highly reliable in the city.
- Parking: Paid underground parking is available at Praça dos Restauradores and Avenida da Liberdade (~$25.00/day).
- Other Access: The city center is very walkable; the historic Gloria Funicular is located just steps away from the Cinema São Jorge hub.
Accommodation Options
- Luxury Hotels: Hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade (5-star, 0.1 km, historic luxury with rooftop views, ~$250-450/night); Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel (4-star boutique, ~$180-280/night).
- Mid-Range Options: Hotel Mundial (4-star, 1 km, central with famous rooftop bar, ~$110-180/night); Hotel Dom Carlos Park (3-star, 0.8 km, modern comfort, ~$90-140/night).
- Budget Stays: Lisbon Destination Hostel (Rossio Station, ~$35-70/night); Ibis Lisboa Centro Liberdade (2-star, very central and efficient, ~$80-120/night).
Attendee Experiences
- The atmosphere at Cinema São Jorge during the opening night gala is electric and incredibly welcoming to foreigners.
- I loved that every film had both English and Portuguese subtitles, making it so easy for international guests to follow along.
- The Q&A sessions after the short films were so enlightening; you really get to hear the passion in the filmmakers’ voices.
Tickets Sell Out
in Minutes
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
Are the films screened at the festival subtitled in English?
Yes, the festival is highly accessible to international visitors as almost all films are screened with both Portuguese and English subtitles. This policy applies to the main competitive sections as well as the special retrospectives. For parallel activities like debates and workshops, English translation is often provided if international guests or directors are participating in the session.
How can I buy a festival pass that allows me to see multiple films?
The festival usually offers a "Livre-trânsito" (Free-Pass) for approximately $33.00, which grants access to all screenings across the primary venues. Alternatively, you can purchase a "5-session pack" for a discounted rate if you only plan to attend a few days. These passes are typically available for purchase online through Ticketline or directly at the main festival box office in Cinema São Jorge.
Is the festival only for films directed by women from Mediterranean countries?
While the festival's primary focus is on female directors from the Mediterranean region (Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East), it also features a strong selection of films by Portuguese women filmmakers. The "Travessias" section occasionally includes films from other regions if they deal with themes related to the Mediterranean. It is the only festival in Portugal specifically dedicated to this unique intersection of gender and geography.
Where can I find the full program for the 2026 edition?
The complete daily schedule, including film titles, showtimes, and parallel activity details, is usually released on the official website about two to three weeks before the festival begins. In the meantime, you can subscribe to the festival's newsletter or follow their social media channels to get early announcements regarding the theme and the first confirmed film titles.
Are children allowed at the festival screenings?
The festival is generally an adult-oriented cultural event; however, it does feature a specific "Family Session" (Sessão Familiar) often held on the final Sunday morning. These sessions are specifically curated for children and families, often including animation or short films with universal themes. Ticket prices for these family sessions are discounted, and workshops for children are sometimes held in tandem with the screenings.
