Private Project

The First Summer

Isabel and Miguel meet during a driving lesson. They start hanging out and end up spending the summer together. In Autumn, he travels to visit his family, while she stays and takes care of his dog. When he returns their love for each other will be tested.

The first summer shapes the first years of our lives: we are freer after our fist summer, when we make our first decisions, when we have time to feel in our own terms, without hurrying. This film has the pace of the summer holidays spent on temporary jobs, driving classes, taking walks by the river and falling naively in love. Isabel meets Miguel and every day they get a little closer. The easiness of summer might not be perpetuated in time.

  • Adriano Mendes
    Director
  • Adriano Mendes
    Writer
  • Rui Mendes
    Producer
  • Anabela Caetano
    Key Cast
  • Adriano Mendes
    Key Cast
  • Zêzere
    Production Company
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    O Primeiro Verão
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 44 minutes 9 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 17, 2014
  • Country of Origin:
    Portugal
  • Country of Filming:
    Portugal
  • Language:
    Portuguese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • IndieLisboa - Independent International Film Festival
    Lisbon
    Portugal
    April 25, 2014
    World Premiere
    * BEST PORTUGUESE FEATURE FILM; * BEST FILM Brand New
  • Shanghai International Film Festival
    Shanghai
    China
    June 14, 2014
    Internacional Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Moscow International Film Festival
    Moscow
    Russian Federation
    June 25, 2014
    European Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Figueira da Foz Film Festival
    Figueira da Foz
    Portugal
    September 11, 2014
    * BEST Leading ACTRESS (Anabela Caetano)
  • Mumbai Film Festival
    Mumbai (Bombaim)
    India
    October 17, 2014
    India Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Bogota Film Festival
    Bogota
    Colombia
    October 24, 2014
    South America Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Cinemed - Mediterranean Film Festival
    Montpellier
    France
    October 28, 2014
    France Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Festival Caminhos do Cinema Português
    Coimbra
    Portugal
    November 20, 2014
    * REVELATION Award
  • CinemAvvenire Film Festival
    Rome
    Italy
    December 19, 2014
    Italy Premiere
    * BEST EUROPEAN FILM
  • Festival Internacional de Cine de Iquique
    Iquique
    Chile
    February 11, 2015
    Chile Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Canada International Film Festival
    Vancouver
    Canada
    April 12, 2015
    North America Premiere
    * RISING STAR Award
  • Festival de Cine Europeo
    Chile Regions
    Chile
    May 21, 2015
    Official Selection
  • Indy Film Fest
    Indianapolis
    United States
    July 17, 2015
    USA Premiere
    Official Selection
  • First International Film Festival Xining
    Pequim
    China
    July 23, 2015
    Official Selection
    Pequim Premiere
  • São Tomé FestFilm
    São Tomé
    Sao Tome and Principe
    August 30, 2015
    Sao Tome and Principe Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Festival Peliculatina
    Bruselas
    Belgium
    September 25, 2015
    Belgium Premiere
    Official Selection
  • World of Film: International Festival Glasgow
    Glasgow
    United Kingdom
    October 2, 2015
    Ireland Premiere
    Official Selection
  • European Union Film Festival in China
    Pequim
    China
    October 21, 2015
    Official Selection
  • Festival de Cine Iberoamericano de Huelva
    Huelva
    Spain
    October 15, 2015
    Spain Premiere
    Official Selection
  • London Latin American Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    November 22, 2015
    United KIngdom Premiere
    Official Selection
  • San Diego Latino Film Festival
    San Diego
    United States
    March 12, 2016
    California Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Cinalfama Lisbon International Film Awards
    Lisbon
    Portugal
    July 17, 2017
    Best Debut Film - AWARD, Best Feature Film - Nomination, July 2017
  • Sofia Portuguese Film Festival
    Sofia
    Bulgaria
    September 30, 2017
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Zêzere - Theatrical Release
    Country: Portugal
    Rights: Theatrical
  • Zêzere - NOS / Vodafone / MEO / Nowo
    Country: Portugal
    Rights: Video on Demand
  • Zêzere / IndieLisboa - TVCine
    Country: Portugal
    Rights: Paid TV
  • RTP2
    Country: Portugal
    Rights: Free TV
Director Biography - Adriano Mendes

(1988, Portugal)
First setting his foot in cinema in 2001, he has directed several short films shown at national and international film festivals. In 2011 he graduated in Directing at ESTC National Film and Theater School (Lisbon).
O PRIMEIRO VERÃO (The First Summer) is his first feature film. World premiered in 11st IndieLisboa IIF, international premiered at 17th Shangai IFF and European premiered at 36th Moscow IFF, 2014. Release in national theatres at July 9, 2015.

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