The nineteenth edition of FEST New Directors starts today in Espinho | New Cinema. Until June 26th, more than 244 films will be shown at Multimeios, Casino and Espinho Parish Council, from 59 countries. The festival's program includes, as usual, a strong professional section, with around 30 masterclasses, conversations and workshops led by professionals in the most varied areas of cinema. This year's Training Ground program includes names such as directors Carlos Reygadas, Brenda Chapman and Lone Scherfig, actress Noomi Rapace and editor Yorgos Mavropsaridis.
In the cinema, highlights include the opening and closing films, War Pony, by Gina Gammell & Riley Keough, and Metronom by Alexandru Belc, respectively, as well as the program focusing on the work of South American director Cláudia Llosa. In feature films, ten recently produced feature films in the areas of fiction and documentary compete for the festival's main prize, Lince de Ouro. Alongside the international short film competition (Lince de Prata), the Fest once again pays attention to national production in the National Grand Prix which, this year, included some returns, such as Guilherme Daniel, Ruben Sevivas and Henrique Brazão , but also the premiere of Monte Clérigo by Luís Campos and Cura#1 by Joana Peralta.
One of the new features this year is the first edition of Music Walk With Me, a cycle of showcases that aims to be a space to celebrate the connection between music and cinema, bringing together musicians who work in both disciplines and projects with the intention of collaborating on projects cinematographic. There will be more than 25 musical projects that will perform live between the 20th and 25th of June. Among the confirmed names are Legendary Tigerman, Sensible Soccers, Castello Branco, Summer of Hate and Acid Acid.
Detailed information about the program and the festival can be found at www.fest.pt.