The full programme for New Encounters in Portuguese Cinema is now available. The initiative — organised by Batalha Centro de Cinema, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian and Clube Português de Cinematografia–Cineclube do Porto — is a forum for discussion regarding the Portuguese cinema sector that will take place at Batalha, in Porto, from 6–7 June.

New Encounters in Portuguese Cinema follows on from Semana dos Encontros do Novo Cinema Português (Encounters in New Portuguese Cinema Week), which took place at Batalha in 1967. Organised by Cineclube do Porto with the support of Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian and Porto City Council, this event was pivotal in defining subsequent funding policies for film production in Portugal. The conference brought together contributors from all over the country: young artists just starting out; established directors; film club members; writers; journalists; and other figures from the cultural scene in Portugal.

Now in 2023, the same organisers propose a new set of encounters in Porto. Taking place over two days, the programme includes four discussion panels led by guest researchers — Education (Carlos Natálio), Production (Mariana Liz), Crítica (José Bértolo) and Distribution and Exhibition (Paulo Cunha) — and involving representatives from the sector, including associations, producers, film festivals and distributors, academics and journalists.

The New Encounters programme, which is free to attend, begins on Tuesday 6 June at 10:00, with an opening session. At 10:30, Carlos Natálio presents the findings of the Education research stream, followed by a discussion with João Rodrigues (Filhos de Lumiére); João Mário Grilo; Lubanzadyo Mpemba (UNA — União Negra das Artes); Manuel Guerra; Miguel Dias (Curtas Vila do Conde); and Sílvia Bereny. In the afternoon, at 14:30, Mariana Liz analyses the Production sector in a session followed by a discussion with the associations APAD — Associação Portuguesa de Argumentistas e Dramaturgos; APCA — Associação Produtoras Cinema Audiovisual; APNEIA —Associação de Produtores do Norte e Empresários Independentes do Audiovisual; APR — Associação Portuguesa Realizadores; APTA — Associação Portuguesa de Técnicos de Audiovisual; and PCIA — Produtores de Cinema Independentes Audiovisual.

Free entry upon ticket pickup on the same day, starting from 9.30am.