Filming in Portugal. See the big picture
“Filming in Portugal: See the big picture” is the film industry podcast of the Portugal Film Commission.
The professor and journalist Martin Dale hosts the show, interviewing professionals of the audiovisual and film sector who will share their insights into some of the most up to date issues and trends on film.
New episodes available every two weeks on Portugal Film Commission’s website and on the podcast platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
S2 Ep. 6 – “Creative Europe Desk is here to help you”
In this episode of Filming in Portugal: See the Big Picture, we take a closer look at the Creative Europe MEDIA programme with Susana Costa Pereira, Executive Coordinator of Creative Europe Desk Portugal and head of the MEDIA strand since 2019.
In conversation with journalist Martin Dale, Susana explains how the Creative Europe Desks support professionals and organisations in the audiovisual sector in securing European funding. The episode also highlights the remarkable success rate of Portuguese projects — 69.9% — far above the European average of around 10%, reflecting the growing maturity and strength of national applications.
An essential guide for anyone looking to access international support and take their stories further.
S2 Ep. 5 – “Portugal has a flavor, an accent of their own style”
In this episode of Filming in Portugal: See the Big Picture, we explore the essential role of locations in filmmaking with Lori Balton, veteran Hollywood location scout, and Eduardo Rodrigalvarez, head of locations at Palma Pictures.
A conversation with Martin Dale that delves into the importance of settings in shaping a narrative and the impact of new technologies on location scouting.
Lori and Eduardo also discuss Portugal as a filming destination, highlighting the diversity and authenticity of its landscapes – from the Atlantic coastline to historic cities – and how they visually enhance any production.
The episode transcript is available here.
S2 Ep.4 – “The growth of the gaming industry has been around 40% per year”
In the new episode of Filming in Portugal: See the Big Picture, we dive into the gaming industry and explore its connections with cinema and the audiovisual sector.
Martin Dale speaks with Jeferson Valadares, President of the Portuguese Video Game Producers Association, and Francisco Moreira, Head of the Gaming Hub at Unicorn Factory Lisboa, about the sector’s growth in Portugal, national talent, and the potential for collaboration between game developers and film and audiovisual professionals.
From the creation of Lisbon’s first dedicated gaming hub to the influence of the tech industry on audiovisual production, this episode is a deep dive into innovation, talent, and new opportunities.
The episode transcript is available here.
S2 Ep.3 – “I look at Portugal and I see a country that has an incredibly innovative spirit”
With a three-decade career in the media industry, Tony Gonçalves has held key roles at companies such as AT&T and WarnerMedia, where he served as Chief Revenue Officer and spearheaded the launch of HBO Max.
Now, as the founder of The Evrose Group, his focus is on strengthening Portugal’s impact in the global market.
In this episode, Tony Gonçalves talks to Martin Dale about his connection to Portugal, the country’s potential to attract international productions, and the challenges facing the audiovisual sector in an increasingly digital world.
From the rise of streaming to the impact of artificial intelligence, this is a conversation about innovation, investment, and the power of stories told in Portuguese.
The episode transcript is available here.
S2 Ep.2 – “Screen tourism could be a game changer for the industry”
The rapid growth of the audiovisual sector has significantly boosted the potential of screen tourism, making it an increasingly valuable segment of the tourism industry. In Spain alone, screen tourism influences 4 in 10 travelers.
This perspective is shared by Ana Alonso, a consultant specializing in screen tourism and founder of The Travelling Set, a project dedicated to collaborating with destinations and tourism companies around the power of film and TV locations.
In this episode of “Filming in Portugal: See the Big Picture”, Ana Alonso is joined by Daniel Louro — first and foremost a cinephile, but also a podcaster and creator of The World is a Set, an online project showcasing locations where films and series were shot.
Having traveled extensively and admitting to being “a little obsessed with locations,” Daniel highlights the example of Crema, the Italian city that was transformed after serving as the backdrop for Call Me by Your Name.
The episode transcript is available here.
S2 Ep.1 - Green production: “Emission wise, every fraction of a ton counts”
While it may be impossible for a production to be 100% green, sustainability concerns should be addressed from the moment a project is written.
As “Filming in Portugal: See the Big Picture” begins its second season, the podcast brings together two green consultants for an episode on sustainability in film and audiovisual productions.
In this season opener, journalist Martin Dale speaks with Dörte Schneider Garcia, president of Repensar – the Portuguese Association of Green Consultants, and Andreia Nunes, producer and co-founder of Wonder Maria Films.
An episode that explores the industry’s contribution to environmental preservation, but also social sustainability and investment in local communities.
The episode transcript is available here.
S1 Ep.10 | At the core of animation there are human relationships
Rita Ataíde Novais, development producer at BBC Studios Productions, joins this episode of “Filming in Portugal. See the big picture” and explains the process of developing a project “from the seed stage, when it is just an idea”.
Keeping in mind that is the human relationship that inspires the production of animated concepts for kids, Rita believes this content may also appeal to families.
There was still time to talk about Chopping Wood Chips, an animated short film by Rita made in laser cut wooden pieces.
The episode transcript is available here.
S1 Ep.9 | The present and future of independent TV producers
Despite the challenges of a changing world, independent TV producers are thriving.
Susana Gato, executive president of the Portuguese Association of Independent Television Producers (APIT), presents herself as an enthusiast, while pointing out some of the biggest issues faced by the sector: geo-blocking, intellectual property, and artificial intelligence.
In terms of the role of women in the industry, Susana has no doubt: there is still a long way to go for gender equality, on and off screen.
The episode transcript is available here.
S1 Ep.8 | From screen to reality. The two-way street of film tourism
The Sound of Music and Turn of the Tide might be 58 years apart. But one thing they have in common is the power to bring tourists to Salzburg (Austria) and Rabo de Peixe (in the Azores, Portugal), aiming to visit places they see on screen.
Conducting a PhD research in sustainable screen tourism destination development, Sara Trigo looks on how film tourism has become a popular trend in recent years.
This episode of “Filming in Portugal: See the big picture” travels through the opportunities and challenges that movie induced tourism brings both to the industry and to the local communities.
The episode transcript is available here.
Find out more about the topics covered during this episode through the academic references shared by Sara Trigo.
S1 Ep.7 | The animation industry is growing – and it delights people from all ages
The path made by the animation industry over the last years is made of a high-speed development, namely due to a technical evolution that is boosting production in emerging countries.
Marcel Jean, artistic director of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, goes through the changes on the formats, the diversity of the audiences, and how animation students are bringing new themes into the spotlight.
This episode of “Filming in Portugal: See the big picture” also foresees the next edition of Annecy Festival, where Portugal is going to be the featured country.
The episode transcript is available here.
S1 Ep.6 | What is the role of sound design in filmmaking?
It may act like an invisible character, but as George Lucas once said, sound is 50% of the movie-going experience.
That is exactly what Nuno Fonseca, CEO at Sound Particles, recalls in this episode of “Filming in Portugal: See the big picture”.
A conversation that goes around the use of virtual particles in sound design, and how some of the most prominent Hollywood studios are using a software developed by a company based in a Portuguese medium-sized city called Leiria.
The episode transcript is available here.
S1 Ep.5 | 3, 2, 1… Action! When film and TV series impact tourism
For the last years, much has been said about the impact of film and TV series’ production on local communities. But is it possible to measure this impact? Can it be fruitful for both parties?
Filipa Maria Cardoso is the director for communications and digital marketing at Turismo de Portugal, the public entity responsible for managing the Tourism, Cinema and Audiovisual Support Fund together with the Portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA).
In this episode of “Filming in Portugal: See the big picture”, Filipa looks at the benefits of hosting film and TV productions for the promotion of the country, its locations, and its culture.
The episode transcript is available here.
S1 Ep.4 | Cooperation vs competition: who wins the pitch for major productions?
The competition in the film industry is also made up of who attracts the most promising productions. Different countries offer different incentives, while sharing the same target: to captivate international productions.
But at the end of the day, Carlota Guerrero and Adrian Mitchell, Co-Presidents of the European Film Commissions Network (EUFCN), believe that cooperation is the key.
In this episode of “Filming in Portugal: See the big picture”, Guerrero and Mitchell look at the first year in charge of the EUFCN, and its role when it comes to strengthening the film and TV sector in Europe.
The episode transcript is available here.
S1 Ep.3 | Knock, knock! Sustainability is at the door of film and AV productions
Among all the challenges faced by the film and audiovisual sector, a new quest came up over the last years: the urge to make greener productions.
Maryllis Gonzalez, line producer based between the UK and Spain, talks about her experience putting sustainability measures in place for the film crew.
While Maryllis claims that “my consumer is my crew”, she also shares some of the key issues of the near future: certification, data collection and the fact that digital does not mean green.
The episode transcript is available here.
S1 Ep.2 | Independent filmmaking: festivals, boundaries, and today’s challenges
What’s the place of independent filmmaking in a world where streaming platforms keep strengthening their position?
In the second episode of “Filming in Portugal: See the big picture”, Markus Duffner, head of Locarno Pro, reflects on the opportunities and challenges faced by independent cinema today.
The role of film festivals around the world, the blend of auteur and genre films, and the presence of Portugal at Locarno Film Festival are some other topics of this episode.
The episode transcript is available here.
S1 Ep.1 | Cash rebate, co-productions, and countless locations. Welcome to Portugal
Although Portugal is on the far edge of Europe, the country has opened doors to film and audiovisual productions from all over the world.
Luís Chaby Vaz, film commissioner and president of the Portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA), is the first guest of the podcast “Filming in Portugal. See the big picture”.
A conversation about incentives, co-production agreements, and the strategy to position Portugal in “a very competitive environment – the international competition for grabbing big productions.”
The episode transcript is available here.