People will have the opportunity to see not only documentaries, but also short and long films, and also attend talks, workshops and moments dedicated to the industry.

The programmes will include three different fields: Algarve Film Week, Monstrare – Mostra Internacional de Cinema Social and the MAIA – Mercado de Animação Ibero-Americana, as mentioned in a press release. The aim is to “promote the meeting between creator, professionals, students and the general public.”

The free entrance event will happen in different places, such as the schools in the municipality, and the “Auditório Solar da Música Nova, Palácio Gama Lobo, the Pavilhão Multiusos 25 de Abril, in Almancil in Black Box and in the Cineteatro Louletano.” The initiative by the Loulé City Hall, through Loulé Film Office, promises to reunite the public and professionals from the cinematic industry in “a unique environment of creativity and reflection.”

Monstrare

The Monstrare, “the first social cinema festival created in Portugal, which explores relevant social themes”, starts its 12th edition on 17 January, with the exhibition of the documentary “Free Fish”, by Bisan Owda, a Portuguese co-production recorded for a year in Gaza. It tells the story of two Palestinian fishermen, who are siblings, who were separated by the war, but are still connected by the sea. The night closes with the Concerto Cinema Jazz Project, de Arsénio Martins and Paulo Lopes, “in a dialogue between music and cinema.”

On 18 January, the programme is dedicated to families, with the exhibition of the “O Segredo dos Perlimps”, made by the Brazilian director Alê Abreu, in Pavilhão Multiusos 25 de Abril, in Almancil. The internationally recognised film talks about “friendship, empathy and the power of imagination through a visually rich and sensitive narrative.”

Credits: Supplied Image;

Short films and documentaries will have their own days, thus on 19 and 20 January, visitors may expect to see those.

Those days will mainly be targeted to a younger audience, still of school age. Among the exhibited films, the highlight is “Fauve”, by Jérémy Comte, a short film that already received an Oscar nomination, which is about childhood and risks. Love letter and Second World War may be seen in the film “From War, With Love”, by Jordana Gasparinho.

"Paco", by Kent Donguines, will make people know more about identity and emotional growth. Finally, the documentary “Fragmented” by Balolas Carvalho and Tanya Marar, “will cross territories and fragmented experiences between Portugal, Palestine and the United Kingdom.” All the sessions are accompanied by the workshop Filmes da Minha Vida.

On 21 January, the Monstrare showcases, in Cineteatro Louletano”, the documentary “O Que é Feito de Ti, Sónia”, by Catarina Neves, which is a film that “questions social invisibility, identity and time.”

The exclusive national preview of the film “Hot Milk”, by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, will happen on 22 January. Viewers may expect an “intense psychological drama that explores family relationships, emancipation wishes and emotional tensions”, in Almería, a Spanish city.

It is also included, on 23 January, the presentation of the book “Rosa”, by Sónia Balacó, in Municipal Library Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, “strengthening the connection between cinema, literature and critical thinking.”

MAIA

The MAIA will integrate the Algarve Film Week in 2026.

Organised by APPA – Associação Portuguesa de Produtores de Animação, “recently based in Loulé”, will introduce an “additional dimension of professionalisation, dynamism and creativity to the festival, reinforcing its projection in the Iberian American audio-visual background.”

“The event revolves around two main themes: one for professionals, through a networking space, masterclasses, debates, and speed meetings; and another for emerging filmmakers, with pitching sessions for short films, series, and feature films evaluated by experts, and speed meetings with producers. Brazil is the guest country for this edition, celebrating the cultural and linguistic union between Portuguese-speaking countries and increasing the visibility of their stories, talents, and productions within the Ibero-American context.”

Cinetendinha Awards

On 24 January, by 6 pm, the Cinetendinha Awards will happen, in Cineteatro Louletano, “an initiative promoted by the cinema critic and journalist Rui Pedro Tendinha, which distinguishes the best films and interpretations of the year.” The awards attract important personalities of the national cinema, and in the 6th edition, the ceremony will be broadcast on Sapo.pt and SIC Radical TV channel.