The Portugal Film Commission took part in the latest edition of the Marché du Film, held from 13 to 21 May alongside the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, further strengthening Portugal’s position as a competitive and attractive destination for international film and audiovisual productions.
Based at the stand of the Portuguese Institute for Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA), the Portugal Film Commission actively promoted the current landscape of the Portuguese film industry and the financial incentives available through Pic Portugal. Over several days, strategic contacts were established with producers, directors, and other industry professionals.
The Portugal Film Commission’s presence was also marked by its participation in the Producers Network Brunch organised by the European Film Commissions Network (EUFCN), where it was one of the film commissions highlighted at this year’s gathering, held on 14 May. The event offered participating producers a closer look at the opportunities Portugal provides as an international filming destination.
On 16 May, Luís Chaby Vaz, Film Commissioner and President of the ICA, and Ana Marques, Executive Director of the Portugal Film Commission, took part in a Luso-Brazilian Co-Producers Meeting, held at the Cinema do Brasil space.
Portuguese cinema at Cannes
This year, the national presence at the Cannes Film Festival also stood out in the official programme, with seven Portuguese films selected across different sections. In the competitive Un Certain Regard section, O Riso e a Faca, by Pedro Pinho — a co-production between Uma Pedra no Sapato and Terratreme Films — was featured, alongside Once Upon a Time in Gaza, by Arab and Tarzan Nasser, a minority co-production by Ukbar Films.
Further highlights included Magellan, co-produced by Rosa Films, which premiered in Cannes Première. In ACID, the festival’s parallel section, Entroncamento, by Pedro Cabeleira, produced by OPTEC Films, was showcased.
The Official Short Film Selection featured Arguments in favor of Love, by Gabriel Abrantes, and The Loneliness of Lizards, by Inês Nunes. Meanwhile, The Bird from Within, a short film by Laura Anahory (from Escola das Artes of Universidade Católica Portuguesa), was included in the La Cinef selection — one of 2,700 projects submitted by film schools worldwide.
It is worth noting that both O Riso e a Faca and Magellan received support from Pic Portugal – Cash Rebate Incentive.
