Every year, the Reykjavík International Film Festival shines a spotlight on a selected country by showcasing its films and inviting filmmakers from that country to attend RIFF. We are delighted to announce that Portugal will be in Focus at RIFF 2026. Acclaimed Portuguese filmmakers and exciting new voices come together in a diverse selection of films that offer a glimpse into the country's contemporary cinema. Read more about the new Portuguese feature films screening at this year's festival below.
AMÍLCAR
Often called the African Che Guevara, Amílcar Cabral led theanti-colonial struggle in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde until his assassination in 1973. Blending archival footage with an imagined 16mm diary, this poetic documentary explores human rights, utopian ideals, love, war, and betrayal through the lens of Cabral's enduring vision.
Two Times João Liberada // Duas vezes João Liberada
A film within a film: João stars in a biopic about Liberada, a gender-nonconforming figure persecuted by the Inquisition. After the director is mysteriously paralyzed, João faces haunting dreams and struggles to honor Liberada’s story.
Providence and the Guitar // A Providência e a Guitarra
Traveling performers Léon and Elvira Berthelini arrive in Covarronca, where hostility forces them to spend the night outdoors with a Cambridge graduate. After finding refuge with a painter, they reveal how art and love can transform one another.
I Only Rest In The Storm // O Riso e a Faca
In Guinea-Bissau, environmental engineer Sérgio is drawn into an intimate relationship with Diara and Gui. As the neo-colonial world around them begins to unravel, their fragile connection becomes his last refuge from isolation.
Them, Fado Bicha // As Fado Bicha
Filmed over several years, this documentary follows Lila and João of Fado Bicha, a duo reshaping Portugal's traditional fado through queer stories, activism, and music.
