Section presenting first, second and third works never publicly shown in Portugal. These films were finalized in the year in which the festival takes place or in the previous year.

It brings together Portuguese feature and short films, most of which have their first world or national presentation at IndieLisboa.

Competitive section for young filmmakers in age and willingness to experiment with cinema – it is the space par excellence for new voices in portuguese cinema.

With works by young filmmakers and established authors, this competitive section finds in singularity its norm. Films that reject established formulas, that awaken new languages and whose rebelliousness mirrors the spirit of the festival.

Anticipating the commemorations of the 50 years of the 25th of April, this year’s Silvestre Focus dedicates its programme to Work and the Trade Union Movement, with a special participation of the FILMar project, operated by Cinemateca Portuguesa.

The link between cinema and music is at the epicentre of this competitive section. It delves not infrequently into the historical, political and social contexts that accompany the musical movements of the selected films.

A new cooperation network has emerged that brings together 7 festivals from 7 different countries, with the intention of encouraging the circulation of European titles. The section is competitive, itinerant and collaborative, with a selection of 7 chosen films representing all member countries.

For the younger audience, we have scheduled cinema screenings for all ages, for schools and families, including cinema for babies, workshops and activities, a film-debate, and so much more.

One of the most interesting and indispensable living directors, Jan Švankmajer, is the master under the 2023 spotlight. Between repulsion and fascination, the films of the visual artist turned filmmaker are reflections of a subconscious world, where matter takes on a new enchanted form.

Non-competitive section whose selection of films plunge into the memory of cinema as its main inspiration and raw material, and films that work on the visual cinematographic heritage.

This section presents films that tear language and genre boundaries without taboos. Disconcerting films, controversial themes, and works that are best understood (and digested) under the sign of midnight.

Besides the opening and closing film, the special sessions section include other previews and thematic programmes related to this edition.

The Cinema-City cycle results from the partnership between IndieLisboa and Lisboa 5L, and it celebrates the multicultural facet of city life, highlighting connections and ruptures between the urban centre and the periphery.

With a focus on analogue formats, and curated by Philipp Fleischmann, Analog Imagination brings us deeply personal and formally independent works, from the Friedl Kubelka School for Independent Film, that were made and will be screened in Super 8, 16-mm and 35-mm.