The 8th China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries Film Festival opens on 13 November
Organised by the Culture and Sports Bureau, with the support of the Macao Government Tourism Office, the Municipal Affairs Bureau, TDM – Teledifusão de Macau, S.A. and Air Macau Company Limited, the China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries Film Festival, integrated in the 8th “Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries”, will open with a screening at Anim’Arte NAM VAN on 13 November, followed by screenings at Cinematheque・Passion from 16 November to 7 December. Themed “Resonance of Light and Shadow”, this edition of the Film Festival features nearly 30 works from China and the Portuguese-speaking countries and regions, presenting human stories from different cultural backgrounds through diverse themes and cinematic approaches. The programme also includes outreach activities such as thematic sessions and workshops.
This year’s Film Festival is divided into four sections, namely “Selection of Portuguese-language Music Films”, “The Literary Revival”, “Premieres of Chinese and Lusophone Films” and “Chinese-Portuguese Short Films”, encompassing different aspects such as music, literature, contemporary creation and short films. The “Selection of Portuguese-language Music Films” focus on the music culture of Portuguese-speaking countries, presenting various films with musical themes that highlight the artistic characteristics resulting from the encounter between music and image. “The Literary Revival” brings together 3 films adapted from works by a new generation of Chinese writers who have garnered significant attention in recent years, namely Dreaming of Mother and Home, Reflections in the Lake, and Take Off, revealing the diverse facets of creative approaches in the transposition of literature to the screen. Furthermore, in conjunction with the Macau Grand Prix, the Film Festival presents the Brazilian documentary Senna, which reviews the legendary career of this three-time Formula 1 world champion through valuable footage.
The Film Festival will open with the Brazilian documentary Milton Bituca Nascimento. The film follows the 2022 farewell tour of legendary musician Milton Nascimento, celebrated as the “Voice of Brazil”. Through concert footage, precious behind-the-scenes recordings and interviews with various international artists, the work traces his remarkable musical career and life trajectory, revealing the unique charm of Brazilian music culture. The screening will take place at Anim’Arte NAM VAN where a traditional Portuguese Fado performance will also be held that night, as well as interactive activities including experimentation with traditional instruments, a workshop on making cardboard Portuguese guitar and table football games, allowing the public to experience the diversity of Lusophone culture through music and hands-on fun.
The Film Festival will also offer a series of outreach activities, allowing the public to learn about filmmaking and its cultural contexts from different perspectives. In the “Selection of Portuguese-language Music Films” section, the Cape Verdean music documentary Orlando Pantera will feature a live music performance before its screening, allowing the audiences to experience the unique charm and rhythm of Cape Verdean music first-hand. In “The Literary Revival” section, Peng Fei, Director of Take Off, will be invited to host a talk entitled “From the Three Northeastern Writers to the Silver Screen: Peng Fei on the Literary Adaptation and Reinvention of Take Off”, in which he will share how he draws inspiration from these writers and transforms literary narratives rooted in regional identity into a cinematic language that combines romanticism with commercial appeal. The talk will also explore different possibilities of literary adaptation and filmmaking with the audience.
Tickets for the Film Festival are on sale at Cinematheque・Passion from today, with online ticketing also available. To encourage wider participation, this edition of the Film Festival offers various discounts on ticket purchases. The public can enjoy a “buy-one-get-one-free” discount when purchasing Film Festival tickets in person at Cinematheque・Passion upon presenting their tickets for the concerts, or receipts from the Picture Book Fair featured in the 8th “Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries”. The public can also enjoy admission for two persons at a special price of MOP60 when purchasing “Amigo Tickets”. Holders of a valid Macao Teacher Card or a Tap Siac Craft Market vendor card will receive a 20% discount on purchases for the “Festival Special Ticket”.
The Cinematheque・Passion box office is open from 10am to 11:30pm, from Tuesday to Sunday, including on public holidays, and is closed on Mondays. For more information about screenings, outreach activities and discounts, please visit the “Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries” webpage (culture.dscd.gov.mo/fcp/2026/en) or the Cinematheque・Passion website (www.cinematheque-passion.mo). For enquiries, please contact the DSCD through tel. no. 8399 6280 during office hours.
