LisbonTalks

A reflection inspired by Júlio Alves’ film Não Desviar o Olhar.

Moderator: Carlos Vaz Marques (journalist and publisher)

Guests: Júlio Alves (filmmaker), Ricardo Vieira Lisboa (film critic and programmer), Vasco Câmara (journalist and film critic), Inês Lourenço (journalist and film critic), Luís Miguel Oliveira (film critic)

In 2026, Júlio Alves will premiere a film at IndieLisboa that interviews Portuguese film critics from different generations about the significance of their first cinematic experiences and the earliest days of cinema in Portugal. Drawing on the perspectives of the director and the various participating critics, we will reflect together on the necessity of film criticism in the current times.

Round-table: What Do Short Film Festivals Look for in Programming Right Now?

Moderator: Daniel Ribas (professor, researcher, and programmer)

Guests: Anna Henckel-Donnersmarck (videoartist, programmer and teacher | Berlinale Shorts), John Canciani (artistic director and programmer | Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur), Sigrid Hadenius (festival director | Uppsala Short Film Festival)

With the overwhelming production of short films worldwide, it is becoming increasingly urgent for filmmakers and artists to understand how the medium works and what interests short film festivals. Young directors fresh out of film school enter an environment they don’t know, wanting to make films that speak to their peers but often unaware of the films being made internationally by other colleagues of the same age. Entering the medium and attending film festivals is often incompatible with their academic activities and with the making of their own films, which leads to great anxiety about entering the professional world and, at the same time, beginning to be recognized in the medium.

Several short film programmers will talk about their experiences.

This talk is part of a joint European panel series on “Film Festivals and Their New Realities”. Hosted by ESFN and This is Short.

Roundtable: The Importance of Festival Networks

Moderator: Susana Costa Pereira

Guests: Henrique Praça (cultural manager and network coordinator | FAN – Festival Animation Network), Carlos Ramos (IndieLisboa co-director and programmer | ESFN – European Short Film Network), Elise Jalladeau (director general at Thessaloniki Film Festival | SMART7), Anne Gaschütz (festival organizer and programmer | The END – European Network for Film Discourse)

As part of the Industry Days program, Indielisboa and Media Desk Portugal present a roundtable discussion focused on the evolving role of festivals and the challenges they face in the current film industry.

With the help of national and international guests, we will focus on the importance of establishing networks, namely their impact on festivals, their relationship with the industry, and audience development.
A cocktail reception will follow the session.

Round-table: The Power of Music in Storytelling: The Art of Sound, Composition, and Branding in Independent Film

With: Arturo Olea (Founding partner and CEO, Music Library &SFX), Peter Stephens(Project coordinator and music supervisor), Rita Horta (Composer, Sound Designer, Music Supervisor), André Freitas de Almeida (sound designer), David Nowack (filmmaker, a sound engineer and sound designer)

In independent cinema, music is a powerful storytelling tool that goes beyond enhancing mood; it deepens the narrative and guides the audience through the emotional journey of the film. This panel brings together a composer for audiovisual media/sound branding expert, a sound post-producer, a film composer, and a music supervisor to explore how sound, composition, and branding shape a film’s identity. Together, they will discuss the creative process behind composing music, the integration of sound design, and the evolving role of music supervision, while examining how music can reflect characters, themes, and plot development.

The discussion will also cover the significance of copyright law, highlighting its impact on budget vs creative perspectives. Panelists will dive into how different disciplines—composition, sound design, and music supervision—collaborate to create a cohesive auditory experience that strengthens the film’s narrative. By sharing insights and practical examples, the panel will reveal how music is an essential element in storytelling, shaping not just the mood but the very essence of the film itself.