Future World Film Festival

This highly anticipated event will showcase over 90 films spanning a range of genres and styles. It promises a captivating exploration of the theme of “the future”, bringing together fiction, documentary, animation, and youth-driven projects from around the globe.

Ian and Randall Truitner have spent decades immersed in the film industry. Ian has worked as an independent filmmaker, producing films across genres such as horror, science fiction and comedy, while Randall has built a reputation as a documentarian and television producer, developing projects spanning genres and continents. After moving from Los Angeles to Europe four years ago, they found themselves inspired by the cultural richness and artistic energy in Portugal, and they quickly became compelled to contribute to the local scene by creating a festival that inspired both Portuguese and international filmmakers.

“Our hearts are in the film business,” says Ian. “When we arrived in Portugal, we connected with Jean François Nguyen and Sophie Civet Burrus, and the idea for a film festival quickly took shape.”

The initial concept for a film was inspired by Tehani Nguyen, the daughter of Jean François, who wished to put on a film festival despite having no experience in the field. At that time, Ian was creating a short sci-fi film at his son’s school designed to make filmmaking more accessible to young people. Tehani was invited to participate as an assistant, and the experience helped advance the collaboration between Randall, Ian, Jean-François, Sophie and Tehani toward establishing an international film festival in Lisbon.

The festival’s guiding theme – “the future” – emerged from their intent to explore how people envision the future. The theme resonated with filmmakers everywhere: the festival received nearly 350 submissions from over 30 countries, representing every continent, including Antarctica.

To ensure a fair and thorough selection process, every submission was watched at least twice by different screeners and evaluated by at least two jurors. “We wanted to give every film the same care and consideration, no matter where it came from,” says Randall. For them, the programme reflects the festival’s mission: to create a space where filmmakers can share unique perspectives on the future – whatever that future may look like.

Standout films include Zoomers, a Portuguese documentary by Zane Sabule that explores Generation Z’s journey of self-discovery; The Rivers by Marek Biegalski, a stunning visual exploration of Earth’s topography. Fiction entries tackle themes such as censorship in Iran (Antigone by Paymen Rajabi), LGBTQ+ rights in historical Portugal (Daughters of the Fatherland by Catarina Almeida), and the treatment of strangers – human and otherwise – in The Mongrel by Svetlana Akhmadishina. Alisdair Zhang’s Into the Reds Tale delivers a twisted, modern spin on classic fairy tales. Special recognition goes to Portuguese-made films, which span from whimsical, apocalyptic animations to visionary science fiction.

The festival isn’t just for seasoned professionals; a crucial element of the festival is its commitment to youth voices. Special categories and awards were created to ensure that young filmmakers could participate, and there are special categories and prizes designed to encourage young talent. “We wanted to be fair,” says Randall. “You can’t judge a 14-year-old’s film against someone who’s been in the industry for 40 years. So, we created categories to level the playing field and ensure everyone’s voice can shine.”

The jury itself hosts an impressive roster of talent, reflecting the Truitners’ deep industry connections. Michelle MacLaren, executive producer and director of Breaking Bad, was amongst the first to join the jury. Nick Broomfield, a BAFTA-winning documentarian, was also brought onboard to judge the international documentary category. Griffin Dunn helped introduce Randall to Portuguese actors such as Daniela Ruah and Joaquim de Almeida who joined the jury and agreed to serve as Master of Ceremonies and President of the Jury, respectively.

The event itself promises to be a cinematic feast. Set for a full day screening, visitors can explore three theatres at Lisbon’s iconic Cinema São Jorge, one of the city’s most beloved venues. The programme runs from 10am to 6:30pm, culminating in a vibrant red-carpet awards ceremony. Attendees can expect panel discussions, talks, and a diverse line-up of films. However, with so much to offer, those attending will have to choose between different sections – fiction, documentary, animation, and youth films – each one packed with compelling stories and fresh perspectives.

Despite being its first year, the festival has drawn strong support. Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, is scheduled to attend, alongside many of the festival’s high-profile jurors.

Together with the Future World festival, the Truitners have the goal of bringing more production to Lisbon and Portugal as a whole. They hope to open the country to more content and filming opportunities, as they believe it is an incredible destination for international production. With its rich diversity of landscapes – the “California of Europe”, according to the Truitners – Portugal has beaches, forests, old and new cities, and much more, all within reach. “The Portuguese people are incredibly warm and welcoming, making it a wonderful place to create and collaborate,” they say. “We believe Portugal has everything needed to become a hub for international production, and ultimately, we see this as a way to contribute to Portuguese society and give back in a meaningful way.”

More information and tickets are available online at https://cinemasaojorge.pt/evento/future-world-film-fest/