Raw and Artistically Uncompromising
The Lisbon International Film Festival is a celebration of bold, independent cinema from around the world. We focus on new voices—filmmakers who challenge conventions, take creative risks, and tell urgent stories with authenticity and style.
Rooted in Lisbon’s vibrant cultural landscape, the festival is an internationally oriented underground movement that supports the work of emerging directors, outsider perspectives, and underrepresented communities. We are committed to showcasing films that are raw, thought-provoking, and artistically uncompromising.
There are no red carpets here.
No glitter. No glamour. Just great films.
We value artistic freedom over commercial polish, and we believe that cinema should provoke, reveal, and connect. Our screenings are intimate, our audience passionate, and our selections fearless.
Whether it’s a lo-fi short from a first-time filmmaker or a boundary-pushing feature from the far edges of the industry, if it moves us — it belongs in Lisbon.
History:
The Lisbon International Film Festival began in 2015 as an online platform, curating a bold selection of short and feature films on a quarterly basis. Over the course of nine editions, it became a space for discovering fresh, independent voices from around the world. After a brief pause to rethink its format, the festival relaunched in 2025 as a live, in-person event in the heart of Lisbon—reigniting its underground spirit with physical screenings, filmmaker gatherings, and a renewed commitment to cinematic discovery.
‘OFF ON’ SELECTION
Next to our physical screenings we’ll also be screening online with the special OFF ON SELECTION. The OFF ON Selection will go online one week prior to the opening of the physical part of the festival and will stay online until the last day of the festival. Viewers will be able to watch, but not download your film. If needed we can geo-block your film to our region.
We’re open to any genre (narrative, web series, made for tv, documentary, experimental …) and especially any duration (which is always an issue for the physical part of the festival). Selected filmmakers will receive all official selection perks (The Tarkovski Grant, The Producer’s Night nomination, …) and are in the running for any of the award titles. When you submit your film for consideration to both a physical section and the Off On Selection it is possible to be selected for both, but this is of course not guaranteed. Filmmakers that submit their film only to any of the other sections (so any other than the Off On Selection) will not be selected for an online screening.
Why a Bull? Meet Marius.
The Lisbon International Film Festival has chosen the image of a winged bull as its emblem — a symbol of strength, resilience, and transformation. To use this image with intention and care, we’ve decided not only to represent a bull, but to support one.
Marius was rescued from horrific conditions in Huelva, Spain. He was found abandoned alongside another bull, a goat, and several other animals in the courtyard of a house. Nearby, a dead horse — missing three legs — told the silent story of the cruelty they had all endured. Marius was malnourished, mistreated, and barely surviving. Partly descended from the fighting bull breed, his past is a mystery, but his future no longer is.
Fighting bulls often face violent ends. Many are used as “practice” animals in bullfighting schools, tortured and killed during public festivities, or slaughtered if they fail to meet breeders' expectations. Marius escaped that fate.
By adopting Marius, we stand against the abuse of animals in entertainment. Our support contributes directly to his recovery and well-being, and furthers the broader mission to end bullfighting altogether.
Through Marius, we give our symbol a soul.
A wounded creature becomes a living emblem of defiance — and hope.
You too can support CAS International: https://www.cas-international.org/en-gb/
Proud partner of The Bigger Screen
Lisbon Internationl Film Festival is supported by The Bigger Screen, an organization that aims to make film as an art form more accessible and more inclusive.
Supporting Film Festivals: Film festivals are not only a place to share films, but they are a safe haven for film makers to connect, share, and learn. The Bigger Screens supports and engages with over 25 respected international film festivals from mainstays like the 61st Ann Arbor Film Festival and the Brussels Independent Film Festival to emerging events such as the Venice Film Week and The Producer’s Night Los Angeles. These events bring filmmakers and filmgoers together, providing that place to connect and engage in a comfortable setting, away from Hollywood glitz and glamour.
Connecting Cultures Program: Each year, The Bigger Screen selects ten countries and grants filmmakers from those areas the ability to submit their work free of charge to partner festivals all over the world. This opens the door of film exposure to those who may not otherwise be able to enter. As we support inclusivity and shareable films, this program exemplifies our mission.
Local Filmmakers Program: We understand that the cost of making a film can be taxing, so to encourage rising talent, we waive the festival submission fee to local talent. With numerous worldwide locations for festivals, this provides great opportunity for filmmakers around the world to enter the international film scene. This opportunity opens the world of film. Think global, act local, right?
Inclusive Audience Program: Our screenings are always low or even free of charge to provide opportunity for interested film goers to view up and coming, challenging, and inspiring pieces of art, encouraging students, seniors, and those in underprivileged environments to share the experience of film and cinema. We welcome film goers, regardless of income and financial status.
The Tarkovski Grant: All selected filmmakers will receive The Tarkovski Grant, a film festival submission fee waiver package with an average value of about $500. This not only saves you a lot of money, but it also recognizes your work as something to watch for during the selection procedure, making a selection with another partner film festival more likely - but of course, never guaranteed. The Tarkovski Grant supports hundreds of filmmakers each year in their challenging journeys as independent filmmakers, by promoting existing films, no matter the genre, style or length.
Previous Editions
Find award winners, official selections and photos of previous festival editions: