International Competitions 2026
The 18th edition of the InShadow Festival features 88 films in competition in the categories of Videodance, Documentary and Animation. Of these films, 36 are Portuguese premieres, 12 are European premieres, and 11 are World premieres.
The Awards Ceremony will take place on the 29th of November at 6pm at Teatro do Bairro.
VENUE
Teatro do Bairro - Rua Luz Soriano 63 | Lisbon. 1200-246
Oficial Jury
The Official Jury is made up of national and international professionals from the fields of cinema, dance and criticism/theory whose transdisciplinary vision will bring a critical perspective to the videos in competition, awards the prizes for Best Videodance, Best Choreography and Best Videography.
Aldara Bizarro
Born in Maputo in 1965, studied dance in Luanda, Lisbon, New York and Berlin, highlighting her training at the Merce Cunningham Studio, Movement Research and Tanzfabrik. As a performer, worked with Paula Massano, Rui Horta, Paulo Ribeiro, Francisco Camacho and Madalena Victorino. Has been choreographing since 1990 and is part of the Portuguese New Dance movement. Her works include Love Series, Uma Bailarina, Projeto Respira, A Nova Bailarina and O Baile. Was Artistic Director of Jangada de Pedra for 16 years. Currently develops projects for young people and communities, bringing together dance, art, education and social engagement.
Denise Matta
Dancer, dance teacher and director of Abrindo Portas Dance Company, works in dance and screendance. Has participated in events in Brazil and performed and taught in several countries. She was selected for the O Boticário na Dança programme in 2014 and 2016. Since 2014, she has organised IMARP - International Videodance Festival and has been a member of REDIV since 2017. In 2019, received support through Iberescena and, in 2023, the Denilton Gomes Award for her contribution to dance dissemination. She also works in advertising and cultural production in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Francisco Henriques
A post-production specialist since 1994, he has worked for several leading Portuguese production companies and post-production facilities. Recently led the compositing team on Interdit aux Chiens et aux Italiens, a European co-production that has received more than 12 international awards. He holds a PhD in Art Sciences and a Master’s degree in Art Theory. He is a researcher and the author and co-author of scientific articles, and teaches at several higher education institutions specialising in the arts.
Documentary Jury
The Documentary Jury is made up of members of different communities and generations who choose the best Documentary to receive the Luna Andermatt Award.
Luísa Carles
Born in Panama, she was a member of the National Ballet of Panama and the Portuguese National Ballet Company, where she also worked as a Production Director. Trained at the Royal Academy of Dancing and the University of Durham, she has built an extensive career in classical dance education, teacher training and arts project management. She worked as Project Manager and Executive Producer at Estúdios Victor Córdon and, since 2024, has been working as a freelance teacher in Portugal and internationally.
Álvaro Carrilho
Designer, art director and trainer in the creative industries, he has three decades of experience in advertising and specialises in institutional communications. In the cultural and community sectors, he is Vice-President of Bokamundo and co-organiser of the Mamã África Festival. His experience includes curating and producing transdisciplinary cultural events and managing audiovisual projects.
Bárbara Pessoa
Is currently in her final year at Escola Artística António Arroio, studying Audiovisual Communication, specialising in Film and Video. Motivated by a strong passion for the arts, she is interested in cinema, animation, photography and painting, combining philosophy and writing with critical reflection. She took part in the workshop “Camera as Partner: Dance Improvisation in Motion” at InShadow 2025, in the video “Feedback”, produced by Culturgest (2026), and as a jury member for the “Novíssimos” section of IndieLisboa 2026. She intends to pursue further studies in Film and Audiovisual Arts.