The creation of this festival arose from the feeling that there was an intercultural gap between these two neighbouring countries, particularly regarding cinema. We believe that HOLA LISBOA may contribute towards a cultural interchange where spanish cinema will be watched by a portuguese audience and portuguese cinema will be watched by a spanish audience.

We also believe that this will be an oportunity for two important film genres to finally confront each other and for cultural bonds to be born, opening doors not only to the public as well as generating co-operations and co-productions between directors, actors, producers, distributors and critics of the two countries.

Besides these main activities, HOLA LISBOA is filled with extra activities, dedicated both to education and entertainment.

In the education area, the festival intends to have a Masterclass taught by a spanish producer who will talk about the growth of spanish cinema production, pointing out the factors which have lead to the exemplary spanish cinema success and to the awarding of some film directors abroad.

During 5 days of the festival, there will also be the holding of a Workshop of a one minute video making. The directors of the two best films will be awarded a scolarship to attend a three month Workshop in a Cinema and Audiovisual school in Spain.
The videos made during the Workshop will be later exhibited in the multimedia space HOLA Lounge.

HOLA Lounge will be a recreational facility inside or near the festival Hall, dedicated to multimedia projections, video installations, films stills exhibitions, cyber café, dj sets and vj sets.

HOLA LISBOA will also have a night-life program for all of those who are interested in knowing and getting the most out of the Lisbon night-life.

The festival will begin with an opening cerimony, followed by the première screening of a feature film. Afterwards there will be a Festival Opening party at a night club.

To close the festival, there will be a party taking place after the Awards Cerimony, in a Lisbon Hall yet to be defined.

As the producer of this event, Filme Couture is proud to present this Festival which we believe will arise not only the curiosity and attention of a varitey of people amongst Lisbon residents and tourists, but will also contribute to strengthen the bonds between these two neighbouring countries, in cinema.

Ossanda Forge
Produtora Executiva
Filme Couture Produções