Queer Lisboa Film Festival – Portugal 2025
Background & History
Queer Lisboa, established in 1997, is Portugal’s longest-running film festival and the only one dedicated to queer cinema, celebrating gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, intersex, and non-normative identities. In its 29th edition, running from September 19 to 27, 2025, in Lisbon, it stands as a leading European queer film festival alongside counterparts in Madrid and Paris.
Directed by João Ferreira and organized by Associação Cultural Janela Indiscreta, Queer Lisboa is renowned for its curated program and international guests, fostering dialogue on queer aesthetics and social issues like racism and migration. Its sister festival, Queer Porto, launched in 2015, extends its mission. A digital archive on queerlisboa.pt preserves programs, images, and press for researchers and enthusiasts.
Festival Highlights
- Approximately 50 films, including feature films, documentaries, and shorts, emphasize queer narratives.
- Five competitive categories with prizes: Best Feature Film (€1,000), Best Documentary (€3,000, RTP2-sponsored), Best Short Film (€500, Contranatura-sponsored), In My Shorts (€500), and Queer Art (€1,000).
- Free events, including “Queer Cinema for Palestine” shorts and debates, enhance accessibility.
- Retrospectives at Cinemateca Portuguesa, spotlighting filmmakers like Lionel Soukaz in 2025.
- Parallel activities: masterclasses, exhibitions, performances, and symposiums on themes like post-colonialism.
- International partnerships with festivals in Bilbao, Palermo, and the Azores, promoting Portuguese queer cinema.
- Volunteer opportunities (“volunqueers”) with applications open until August 15, 2025.
Program Details
Curated by João Ferreira, Ana David, Constança Carvalho Homem, Cristian Rodríguez, and guest programmer Caio Amado Soares, the 2025 program includes:
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- Competitive Sections:
- Best Feature Film: Eight fiction films from 2024–2025, blending cinematic quality with queer narratives.
- Best Documentary: Eight documentaries exploring diverse realities and innovative storytelling.
- Best Short Film: Up to 22 shorts, prioritizing eclecticism and debut filmmakers.
- In My Shorts: Up to 15 European film school shorts from institutions like Universidade Lusófona.
- Queer Art: Films pushing cinematic boundaries, partnered with the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon.
- Out-of-Competition Sections:
- Opening and Closing Films: Commercially oriented features for ceremonies.
- Panorama: Notable fiction or documentary films, including premieres and community-based works.
- Queer Focus: Thematic exploration of social-political issues, curated by Caio Amado Soares.
- Retrospectives: Featuring Lionel Soukaz’s The Homosexual Century at Cinemateca Portuguesa.
- Hard Nights: Experimental films exploring explicit sexuality.
- Other Sections: Collaborations with cultural institutions for special screenings and guest curator programs.
- Parallel Activities: Masterclasses, debates, exhibitions (e.g., tributes to Camila Sosa Villada), and out-of-town programs in Leiria and Coimbra. Full program details will be available on queerlisboa.pt by August 2025.
Date & Duration
- Dates: September 19–27, 2025
- Duration: 9 days
- Programme announcement: Expected August 2025 on queerlisboa.pt
- Ticket sales: Start September 9, 2025 (online at bol.pt), September 13, 2025 (Cinema São Jorge box office)
Venues
- Cinema São Jorge: Main venue for screenings, debates, and ceremonies, a historic Lisbon cinema.
- Cinemateca Portuguesa: Hosts retrospectives and select screenings, a film heritage hub.
- Casa do Comum: Community-focused venue for performances and discussions.
- Purex Clube: Intimate space for experimental screenings and nightlife events.
Main Location Address
- Cinema São Jorge: Avenida da Liberdade 175, 1250-141 Lisboa, Portugal
- Cinemateca Portuguesa: Rua Barata Salgueiro 39, 1269-059 Lisboa, Portugal
- Casa do Comum: Rua da Rosa 285, 1200-385 Lisboa, Portugal
- Purex Clube: Rua das Salgadeiras 28, 1200-241 Lisboa, Portugal
Contact Information
- General: info@queerlisboa.pt, +351 916 106 904
- Directors: João Ferreira (dir@queerlisboa.pt), Cristian Rodríguez (cristian@queerlisboa.pt)
- Website: queerlisboa.pt
- Social media: Instagram (queerlisboa), Facebook (facebook.com/QueerLisboa), YouTube (youtube.com/@QueerLisboa)
- Box office: Cinema São Jorge (+351 213 103 400, info@cinemasaojorge.pt), Cinemateca Portuguesa (+351 213 596 200)
Ticket Information
- Cinema São Jorge:
- Full ticket: $4.86 (€4.50)
- Discount ticket (under 25, over 65, Lisbon City Hall employees, LGBTQIA+ association members): $3.78 (€3.50)
- 5-Ticket Pack (5 different screenings): $19.44 (€18, discount: $15.12/€14, box office only)
- Debates and “Queer Cinema for Palestine” shorts: Free, collect tickets same day
- Ticket sales: Online (bol.pt, September 9, 2025), box office (September 13, 2025, 1:00 PM until 30 minutes after last screening)
- Cinemateca Portuguesa:
- Full ticket: $3.46 (€3.20)
- Discount ticket (students, Youth Card, seniors): $2.32 (€2.15)
- Further discount (Friends of Cinemateca, film students, unemployed): $1.46 (€1.35)
- Ticket sales: Box office (same day, 5:30 PM–10:00 PM, Monday–Saturday), online (bol.pt, September 1, 2025)
- Casa do Comum, Purex Clube: Ticket prices TBD, check queerlisboa.pt
- Notes: Programs for ages 16+, except where marked 18+. Portuguese subtitles where indicated.
Cultural Experience
Queer Lisboa transforms Lisbon into a vibrant hub for queer culture, with screenings at the iconic Cinema São Jorge and nightlife events at Purex Clube. Films and debates explore themes like transphobia, migration, and post-colonialism, fostering a communal space for dialogue. Guests, including filmmakers and activists, enrich discussions. Lisbon’s Bairro Alto, near Casa do Comum, offers dining with local specialties like cataplana, complementing the festival’s immersive atmosphere.
Code of Conduct
Queer Lisboa promotes inclusivity, prohibiting harassment or discrimination based on gender, sexuality, race, disability, or other identities. Violations may result in expulsion without refund. Attendees can report issues to staff or volunteers (identified by badges) at venues or via info@queerlisboa.pt. Social media guidelines ensure privacy and respect, with off-topic or harmful posts removed.
Submission Process
Filmmakers can submit fiction features, documentaries, or shorts via queerlisboa.pt by May 30, 2025. Films must be from 2024–2025, with features completed within 12 months of September 2024 and not marketed internationally. Contact submission@queerlisboa.pt for details.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair spaces, induction loops, and accessible facilities at all venues.
- Free events like debates and “Queer Cinema for Palestine” enhance inclusivity.
- Portuguese subtitles were provided where signaled.
- Contact info@queerlisboa.pt for specific accessibility needs.
Getting There
- Cinema São Jorge:
- Metro: Avenida (Blue Line), 2-minute walk
- Bus: Lines 709, 736 to Avenida da Liberdade
- Car: Limited parking; use public transport
- Cinemateca Portuguesa: Metro to Avenida or Marquês de Pombal (Blue/Yellow Line), 5-minute walk
- Casa do Comum, Purex Clube: Metro to Baixa-Chiado (Blue/Green Line) or Rato (Yellow Line), 5–10-minute walk
- Airport: Lisbon Portela (7 km), taxi or metro (Red Line to Blue Line)
- Check cp.pt or carrismundial.com for schedules.
Sustainability Initiatives
The festival promotes sustainability through public transport encouragement and digital ticketing. Venues use energy-efficient systems, and debates address ecological themes, aligning with the festival’s progressive ethos.
Accommodation Options
Near Cinema São Jorge:
- 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.
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What are the ticket prices for Queer Lisboa 2025?
Cinema São Jorge: Full ticket $4.86 (€4.50), discount $3.78 (€3.50) for under 25, over 65, City Hall staff, LGBTQIA+ members; 5-ticket pack $19.44 (€18, discount $15.12/€14, box office only). Cinemateca Portuguesa: Full ticket $3.46 (€3.20), discount $2.32 (€2.15), further discount $1.46 (€1.35). Debates and “Queer Cinema for Palestine” are free.
What types of films are shown at Queer Lisboa?
The festival screens 2024–2025 fiction features, documentaries, and shorts in competitive sections (Best Feature, Documentary, Short Film, In My Shorts, Queer Art) and out-of-competition sections (Panorama, Queer Focus, Retrospectives, Hard Nights), focusing on queer aesthetics and narratives.
Is the festival accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes, all venues offer wheelchair spaces, induction loops, and accessible facilities. Portuguese subtitles are provided where indicated. Contact info@queerlisboa.pt for specific accessibility needs or seating reservations.
How do I submit a film to Queer Lisboa 2025?
Submit via queerlisboa.pt by May 30, 2025, with a screener and submission form. Films must be from 2024–2025, with features completed within 12 months of September 2024 and not marketed internationally. Email submission@queerlisboa.pt.
How do I get to Cinema São Jorge?
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.
