The CineEco is the only film festival in Portugal exclusively dedicated to environmental themes, as noted by the organizers.
It stands as one of the oldest environmental film festivals in the world, held annually in Seia, in the district of Guarda, each October since 1995, initiated by the local municipality.
This 31st edition features 81 international and Portuguese-language feature, medium, and short films from 31 countries, “offering a rich and diverse cinematic mosaic on contemporary environmental challenges,” according to the organization.
Regarding the international feature film selection, the festival presents ten works premiering in Portugal, where the human element remains pivotal in exploring, observing, or experiencing aspects of the climate crisis.
In terms of Portuguese-language feature films, the national premiere of the Brazilian documentary “Tesouro Natterer” by Renato Barbieri is a highlight.
The official selection of CineEco 2025 also includes competitions for short and medium-length films in both international and Portuguese-language categories.
This year, the festival introduces a new category in the short film competition for fiction, non-fiction, and animation, with 13 films from 12 countries competing.
Additionally, there is a regional panorama competitive section, focusing on films with narratives centered on the territory and Serra da Estrela.
The organization emphasizes that CineEco offers the general public “high-quality cinema and lesser-known and alternative cinematographies compared to the traditional market.”
The event unfolds over eight days, featuring free admission and a variety of activities.
Beyond the competitive section and itinerant screenings, CineEco includes parallel activities such as conferences, concerts, workshops, exhibitions, and a film market, contributing to environmental and cinematic education and enrichment.
Outside the festival dates, CineEco organizes an extensive network of screenings across the country throughout the year, providing the public with the opportunity to watch films on this theme, which sets this event apart.
CineEco is organized by the Seia municipality and enjoys the high patronage of the President of the Republic, the United Nations Environment Department, and financial support from DGArtes-Direção Geral das Artes.
