XIV Lusophone Film Festival Showcases Portuguese-Speaking Cinema Across Three Indian States
The Consulate General of Portugal in Goa, in collaboration with Institute Camões Panaji, is proud to announce the XIV Lusophone Film Festival, scheduled to run from February 6 to 15. This prestigious cultural event will be hosted across three Indian states: Goa, Maharashtra, and Hyderabad, bringing a rich tapestry of Portuguese-language cinema to diverse audiences.
A Diverse Selection of 20 Feature and Short Films
This year's festival boasts an impressive lineup of 20 feature and short films spanning multiple genres, including comedies, dramas, documentaries, and animated productions. Each film has been carefully curated to highlight the most striking cultural and civilizational aspects of countries within the Portuguese-speaking domain, offering viewers a unique window into these vibrant societies.
Inaugural Ceremony and Opening Film
The festival will officially commence on February 6 at 6 pm in Auditorium I of the Maquinez Palace, located within the Entertainment Society of Goa in Panaji. The inaugural ceremony will be followed by the screening of The Memory of the Smell of Things, directed by António Ferreira. This Luso-Brazilian co-production presents an intimate portrait that delves into themes of bodily vulnerability, the weight of memory, and the power of empathy.
The film centers on Arménio, an octogenarian former combatant of the Portuguese colonial war who resides in a nursing home. In this new environment of routines, fragilities, and silences, he encounters Hermínia, an African nurse who begins caring for him. Their unlikely friendship compels Arménio to confront the ghosts of his past and seek redemption.
Notably, The Memory of the Smell of Things received a nomination at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, where actor José Martins, who portrays Arménio, won the Best Actor Award. The film also earned an Honourable Mention for Best Screenplay at the 14th Tangier Film Festival and has been featured in numerous other international film festivals.
Highlighted Films in the Festival Lineup
The festival features several other noteworthy productions:
- Banzo: A Portuguese, French, and Dutch co-production directed by Margarida Cardoso. The film follows Afonso (played by Carloto Cotta), a plantation doctor in 1907 on a tropical African island, as he attempts to treat a group of servants afflicted by "Banzo"—the profound nostalgia experienced by enslaved individuals. This film was officially nominated by Portugal for the Oscar award in the Best Foreign Film category.
- A Wolf Among the Swans: Recognized as one of the best Brazilian films premiered in 2025, this feature will serve as the festival's closing presentation at Maquinez Palace. Directed by Marcos Schechtman and Helena Varvaki, the film tells the inspiring story of Thiago Soares, a boy from the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro who transitions from hip hop to classical ballet. It was included in the pre-list of Brazilian films considered for this year's Oscars.
Youth-Focused Sessions and Additional Screenings
On Saturday, the festival will dedicate its first two sessions, from 2 pm to 6 pm, to younger audiences. These sessions will feature:
- The animated short film Fita Cor-de-Rosa (2022) by Cape Verdean director Mon de Anjo.
- The captivating documentary Lindo (2023) by Margarida Gramaxo, which chronicles the transformative journey of Lindo, a sea turtle hunter on Príncipe Island who, after encountering a remarkably docile turtle, decides to protect these animals from predators.
- A Bola (2025) by Brazilian director Filipe Rafaeli.
- The Brazilian comedy Pacarrete (2020), directed by Allan Deberton, which follows a dancer from the interior of Ceará as she strives to present a ballet show in the city, proving that age is no barrier to achieving one's dreams.
All films will be presented in Portuguese with English subtitles, ensuring accessibility for a broad audience and fostering cross-cultural appreciation through the universal language of cinema.
