The National Grand Prix celebrates the best of emerging Portuguese talent and stands out as one of the most prestigious sections of FEST. This year, we’ve selected 23 short films divided into 4 sessions, which will take place during the final days of the 21st edition of FEST.

The housing crisis dominates the screen, with several works tackling the theme, including the impact of real estate speculators in Filipe Amorim’s comedy Real Estate Agent Without a Home to Live In, and in Pedro Vinícius’s relevant documentary Business as Usual. There is also a reference to Palestine in Fragmented, by Balolas Carvalho & Tanya Mara. In fiction, highlights include Arriba Beach by Nishchaya Gera, an erotically-tinged thriller featuring a standout performance by Inês Herédia, and O Tempo das Cerejas by Clara Frazão Parente, a film that explores the female body and condition. The competition also includes new works by directors such as Welket Bungué, Henrique Prudêncio, José Freitas, and newcomer Luís Filipe Borges.