PORTO/POST/DOC: ONE OF THE 25 COOLEST FESTIVALS WORLDWIDE!

Porto/Post/Doc: Film & Media Festival was considered one of the 25 coolest festivals in the world by MovieMaker Magazine. The selection panel gathered five film industry professionals: Garrett Bradley, Sky Hopinka, Eran Polishuk, Ryan Werner and Ela Bittencourt.

About the festival, the magazine highlights "a great atmosphere, thoughtful friendly team, and a romantic setting", in Bittencourt's words.

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Porto/Post/Doc takes place annually over the course of ten days in venues across downtown Porto, and consists of international contemporary and retrospective "cinema of the real". The film selection is guided by a rigorous concern for new forms of cinematic expression that extend and test the boundaries of what is possible in nonfiction cinema, and is also never averse to exploring the non-fictive edges of fiction. Crucially, in its programming Porto/Post/Doc makes no distinction between the two camps, allowing contemporary cinema to inhabit a space that draws from both practices. And yet, it draws its core identity from its complex relation to the "the real”.

With an eclectic selection, the festival is organized around competitions and several parallel programmes.

Awards & Prizes

The festival features the following competitions, each with specific eligibility criteria:

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Eligibility: Feature-length films (60+ minutes).
Award: Vicente Pinto Abreu Grand Prize (€3,000).

INTERNATIONAL MEDIUM-LENGTH & SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Eligibility: Medium-length films (31–60 minutes) and short films (up to 30 minutes).
Awards: To be announced.

CINEMA FALADO
Eligibility: Films produced or co-produced in Portuguese-speaking countries or focusing on Lusophone cultures.
Award: SPAUTORES Award (€1,500).

CINEMA NOVO
Eligibility: Works by Portuguese film students or filmmakers abroad.
Award: Canal 180 Award (€500).

TRANSMISSION
Eligibility: Films exploring music, sound, and their intersections with culture and society.
Award: Best Transmission Film (€1,000)

YOUTH AWARD
Eligibility: Films that socially engage young audiences, selected from across the festival program.
Jury: Composed of students from higher education institutions in Porto and Greater Porto.
Award: Youth Jury Prize for the best film in a program of six films.

Rules & Terms

Porto/Post/Doc: Film & Media Festival
12th Edition (20–29 November 2025)
Rules & Regulations

1. GENERAL TERMS

The Porto/Post/Doc: Film & Media Festival celebrates "cinema of the real," showcasing innovative and thought-provoking films from around the world. The festival highlights bold works that explore contemporary realities through creative and artistic expression.

The 12th edition will take place from 20 to 29 November 2025, in Porto, Portugal, presenting competitive and non-competitive sections, retrospectives, and industry-focused events.

2. SELECTION POLICY

For competitive sections, priority is given to World Premieres, followed by International and European Premieres. For non-competitive sections, only Portuguese premieres are required. Films already shown in Portugal, broadcast on national television, or available on VOD platforms accessible from Portugal are not eligible unless explicitly authorized by the festival.

The festival reserves the right to screen selected films up to three times, including public, jury, and industry screenings. Additional screenings may occur with prior authorization from the rights holder.

Films confirmed for the festival cannot be withdrawn after 20 October 2025. Any withdrawals must be communicated and approved before this date.

3. SECTIONS AND COMPETITIONS

The festival features the following competitions, each with specific eligibility criteria:

International Competition:
Eligibility: Feature-length films (60+ minutes).
Award: Vicente Pinto Abreu Grand Prize (€3,000).

International Medium-Length & Short Film Competition:
Eligibility: Medium-length films (31–60 minutes) and short films (up to 30 minutes).
Awards: To be announced.

Cinema Falado:
Eligibility: Films produced or co-produced in Portuguese-speaking countries or focusing on Lusophone cultures.
Award: SPA Authors Award (€1,500).

Cinema Novo:
Eligibility: Works by Portuguese film students or filmmakers abroad.
Award: Canal 180 Award (€500).

Transmission:
Eligibility: Films exploring music, sound, and their intersections with culture and society.
Award: Best Transmission Film (€1,000).

Youth Award:
Eligibility: Films that socially engage young audiences, selected from across the festival program.
Jury: Composed of students from higher education institutions in Porto and Greater Porto.
Award: Youth Jury Prize for the best film in a program of six films.

Non-Competitive Sections:
School Trip: Curated screenings and activities designed for school groups, combining education and entertainment.

Docs4Teens: An initiative featuring five European festivals: Krakow Film Festival (Poland), Festival dei Popoli (Italy), FIPADOC (France), Docudays UA (Ukraine), and Porto/Post/Doc (Portugal). It showcases thought-provoking documentaries for teenage audiences, alongside workshops, filmmaker Q&A sessions, and interactive activities.

Immersive Dome Cinema: Hosted at the Porto Planetarium, this section transforms the dome into an immersive space for 360-degree films, offering audiences a sensory and visual journey.

Retrospectives & Focus Programs: Celebrating iconic filmmakers or exploring significant cinematic movements.

Special Screenings: High-profile films, gala events, and avant-premieres.

4. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Eligibility: Films must be completed after 1 January 2024. Films not in English must include English subtitles.

Submission Process: Films are submitted via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/portopostdoc

Deadlines:
Early Deadline: 31 January 2025
Regular Deadline: 30 April 2025
Extended Deadline: 31 July 2025

5. SELECTED FILMS

Accepted formats: DCP (Digital Cinema Package). Films must be provided with English subtitles (hardcoded or as an optional file).

Upon selection, films must provide:
A high-resolution trailer.
Stills and promotional materials.
2–3 uncaptioned excerpts for promotional use on social media platforms.
A downloadable video file for internal use and press purposes.
Completed entry form and dialogue list with timecodes.

The festival may use up to 3 minutes of excerpts for promotional purposes.

All materials must be received by 20 October 2025.

6. AWARDS

Vicente Pinto Abreu Grand Prize: €3,000
SPA Authors Award: €1,500
Canal 180 Award: €500
Best Transmission Film: €1,000
Best Medium-Length Film and Best Short Film: To be announced
Juries may award special mentions at their discretion.

7. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

If a film’s rights are transferred after selection, the original rights holder must inform the new rights holder of the festival’s terms.

The festival provides official laurels for selected and awarded films. Rights holders are encouraged to include the laurels in all promotional materials.

8. HOSPITALITY AND PROMOTION

The festival provides accommodation for directors of selected films during the days they attend their film screenings.

Travel costs are generally the responsibility of participants.

9. FINAL PROVISIONS

Submission implies acceptance of these regulations. The festival reserves the right to amend the rules without prior notice.

For further inquiries, please contact: opencall@portopostdoc.com