Family Film Project

Family Film Project

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Family Film Project explores the relationship between moving images, private life and collective memory in Porto, Portugal. Established in 2012 and produced by Balleteatro, it focuses on archival and found-footage cinema, experimental ethnography, home movies and exchanges between film and performance. Its international competition accepts works of any length, including documentary, experimental cinema, fiction and animation. Thematic strands include Lives and Places, Memory and Archive, and Connections.

Alongside screenings, the programme includes filmmaker retrospectives, masterclasses, discussions, book launches, exhibitions and video installations. The Private Collection performance cycle extends its activities across city venues. Its cine:memória project collects private film archives and supports their reinterpretation through curatorial and artistic residencies. The dates for the 2026 edition are 12–17 October 2026, with film screenings at Batalha Centro de Cinema and additional events at cultural venues in Porto.

Country

Portugal

Focus

Animation, Documentary, Experimental

Categories

Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Feature, Short

Awards and prizes

The official competition presents three main prizes: the Grand Jury Prize, Best Feature Film Award and Best Short Film Award. The jury may also award honourable mentions.

Festival rules

The 2026 competition accepts documentary, experimental, fiction and animation films exploring archives, found footage, home movies, self-portraits, identity, intimacy, privacy, family relationships, communities and familiar spaces. Films must be no more than three years old. There is no running-time limit, and each director may submit up to two works. Applications are submitted through FilmFreeway. Required materials include a synopsis and director biography (each no more than 250 words), three high-resolution film images, a director photograph, a trailer link, a password-protected viewing link and a poster if available. Selected filmmakers must supply screening authorization and a DCP plus a high-quality MOV or MP4 copy, with embedded English subtitles. The standard 2026 submission fee is €15 for each of the Non fiction and Fiction categories. Submission fees are non-refundable. The festival does not pay screening fees for competition selections. Excerpts may be used for promotion, and selected films may appear in festival extensions. The published 2026 submission period is 22 December 2025–8 June 2026 (00:00 GMT); submissions for that edition are closed.

Contacts

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