IndieLisboa’s second edition, which was held in Lisbon (Portugal) between April 21st and May 1st, was a huge success: the festival received 17.000 people (more 5.000 than in the first edition) divided between 116 sessions and with 40 sold out sessions.

Thus maintaining its initial features (to perceive IndieLisboa as a space that contributes to revealing new films and new directors), this year the festival bet on its growth. More screens (3 in 2004, 4 this year), more films (79 last year, 130 in 2005, within which 48 features and 82 shorts) and more sessions (67 in 2004, 116 in 2005).

Besides the main sections of the festival – International Competition, Observatory and Independent Hero – the festival broadened its programming, through several special screenings, which included the new section Director’s Cut (with the screening of the digitally restaured version of Sam Fuller’s epic “The Big Red One”), film premieres, as well as new section designed to a younger audience (IndieJunior). There were also parallel initiatives, namely the Playground FNAC, with viewing booths reserved for buyers and film programmers, the photographic exhibition “Born into Brothels”, the round table to discuss the present situation of Argentinean and Portuguese cinema, the masterclass with Argentinean director Lisandro Alonso, and the poetry session with French director Eugène Green.

This strategy revealed to be right. Not only the public adhered to this second edition, as well as the Portuguese and international media, that supported and divulged the festival. IndieLisboa also attracted the attention of the international press.

We would also like to stress the effective growth, when compared with last year, not only in the number of foreign guests, but also in the number of industry professionals (film institutions, film programmers and festival representatives) that were accreditted.

IndieLisboa will be back next year, between 20th and 30th April. Submissions will be open next month and finish on the 20th February 2006.