Films by Marta Reis Andrade and Alice Eça Guimarães have been selected for the 38th International Competition at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival.
"Dog Alone" (2025, Portugal/France, ANI, 13′), produced by BAP – Animation Studios (Portugal) and co-produced by Ikki Films (France), is a sensitive and intimate work based on a true story of abandonment and loneliness: a dog is left alone at home when Marta Reis Andrade's grandfather becomes a widower and she returns from London, feeling deeply lonely. With a distinctive visual style and a narrative that combines memory and emotion, Dog Alone has already won awards and international recognition in countries such as Croatia, Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Finland, Greece, Taiwan and Spain.
"Because Today is Saturday"(2025, Portugal/France/Spain, ANI, 12′) is produced by Animais AVPL – Animation Studios (Portugal) and co-produced by Studio Kimchi (Spain), La Clairière Ouest (France), and Os Filmes do Pinguim – Animation Studio (Portugal). The film delves into the intimate turmoil of a woman torn between the demands of domestic life and her longing for escape. Directed by Alice Eça Guimarães, this work stands out for its profound sensitivity and emotional depth, further solidifying her promising trajectory in both animation and Portuguese short filmmaking. In addition to various accolades received throughout their festival journeys, both films were recently awarded international prizes that qualify them for the 2026 Academy Awards pre-selection in the Best Animated Short Film category:
"Because Today is Saturday"(2025, Portugal/France/Spain, ANI, 12′) is produced by Animais AVPL – Animation Studios (Portugal) and co-produced by Studio Kimchi (Spain), La Clairière Ouest (France), and Os Filmes do Pinguim – Animation Studio (Portugal). The film delves into the intimate turmoil of a woman torn between the demands of domestic life and her longing for escape. Directed by Alice Eça Guimarães, this work stands out for its profound sensitivity and emotional depth, further solidifying her promising trajectory in both animation and Portuguese short filmmaking. In addition to various accolades received throughout their festival journeys, both films were recently awarded international prizes that qualify them for the 2026 Academy Awards pre-selection in the Best Animated Short Film category:
· "Dog Alone" received the Grand Prize at CINANIMA – International Animation Film Festival (Espinho, Portugal);
· "Because Today is Saturday" won the Jury Award for Best Film in the International Animation Competition at PÖFF Shorts (Tallinn, Estonia).
These selections underscore the vitality of Portuguese short films on the international stage, celebrating unique narratives and styles that continue to captivate audiences and juries worldwide. This ongoing recognition further cements Portugal’s significance within the global short film community. The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival stands as an internationally acclaimed reference point for short cinema, renowned for its prestige, visibility, and unparalleled professional networking opportunities.
One of the highlights of the festival is the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market, a crucial hub for promoting Portuguese cinema that welcomes over 4,000 industry professionals each year. Agência – Portuguese Short Film Agency will once again participate in this market, leveraging the opportunity to showcase its represented works and introduce the newest additions to its distribution catalogue.
