Training
Workshop around Lisbon
EN
15 to 17 MARCH
Lisbon City Center – multiple locations
Paul Wenninger
Coreographing the City
Urban environment and body are the themes of the workshop. We try to put gestures of the body into the cityscape and to bring a movement into the rigidity of a city through similarities of building structures. Edges, corners, fountains and statues are points of reference through which we infiltrate the city.
Over the course of three days, award-winning Austrian director Paul Wenninger, a specialist in the pixilation animation technique, will guide the trainees in an animated performance through the city of Lisbon, which will result in a short film that will be screened at the festival’s opening ceremony on 20 March at 21:30 at Cinema São Jorge.
Talk and Gathering
PT
21 MARCH
14h00 – 18h00
Cinema São Jorge – Sala 2
Núcleo de Animação de Campinas
Half a Century of Animation with Kids, Youngsters and Indigenous Communities & PrumoPro Gathering – Audiovisual and Creative Economy
Na tarde do dia 21 de março, a MONSTRA 2025 recebe um evento especial celebrando os 50 anos do Núcleo de Cinema de Animação de Campinas e promovendo um importante intercâmbio criativo e de negócios no setor audiovisual.
A programação inicia com uma mesa de homenagem ao legado do Núcleo, contando com a presença dos seus fundadores e colaboradores, seguida pelo lançamento do selo comemorativo criado pelo artista francês Luc Brévart e pela entrega de zootroscópios, símbolo da tradição e inovação na animação. O público também poderá conferir uma mostra especial de filmes, resgatando cinco décadas de produções do Núcleo. A programação se amplia com uma mostra internacional de curtas de animação uma seleção de filmes.
Na sequência o evento contará com uma rodada de negócios com os produtores Coraly Pedroso, Fabrício Addeo Ramos e Maria Alice Campos da produtora brasileira PrumoPro. Será uma oportunidade de reunir realizadores e produtores brasileiros e portugueses para discutir novas colaborações, coproduções e oportunidades no mercado da animação. Depois, teremos um intercâmbio criativo gastronómico, conduzido pela chef Luiza Marina, que explora a relação entre cultura, identidade e culinária Brasil e Portugal.
Celebrando o passado e projetando o futuro da animação, o encontro une arte, cultura e negócios, consolidando laços entre profissionais e incentivando novas iniciativas no setor.
free
Concert-Workshop
PT
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
22 MARCH
10h30 – 11h30
Cinema São Jorge – Sala 2
Percussion and the Sounds of Animation
This concert-workshop is an interactive performance that offers a fascinating journey through the universe of sounds and effects that accompany films. Starting with a brief, adapted explanation about the history of sound effects, the presentation reveals how these sounds are essential for creating atmospheres and bringing stories to life in cinema. From there, the audience will be introduced to a variety of percussion instruments, as well as everyday objects commonly used to create sound effects.
The presentation continues with a cine-concert, where percussionists Marco Fernandes and Rodrigo Azevedo perform live sound effects while projecting animated films, showing the audience how sound and image intertwine to create a complete cinematic experience. During this session, sound effects are created in real-time, allowing for a unique and dynamic experience that demonstrates how music and sounds are vital in building the mood and emotion of a scene.
Finally, to make the performance even more engaging, the audience will be invited to actively participate by creating their own sounds. Whether it’s the snap of fingers to simulate raindrops, the sound of hands rubbing together to evoke the sound of the ocean, or the simple act of blowing to create wind, everyone will have the opportunity to contribute to the creation of a live sound experience.
5€ for adults
1€ for kids
Workshop
PT
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
22 MARCH
11h00 – 13h00
Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência
23 MARCH
15h00 – 17h00
Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência
Wilson Lazaretti
Optical Toys Workshop — The Zoetrope
Surely the word Zoo means something to you. Zoological Garden: a garden where there are animals, where there is life. The Zootroscope is an optical toy created over 200 years ago that creates the illusion of movement, that is, Life in Motion or The Wheel of Life.
In this workshop, we will create drawings in different positions that, when placed in the Giant Zootroscope, will come to life.
Come learn how to animate a Zootroscope and bring your friends too!
Guest Instructors:
Wilson Lazaretti (Campinas Animation Center)
Maurício Squarisi (Campinas Animation Center)
Hermes (indigenous animator from the Amazon)
free
Masterclass
PT + EN
24 MARCH
10h00 – 12h00
Cinema São Jorge – Sala 2
Anitya Plataform
Immersive World-Building
Learn how to create immersive 3D worlds directly from the browser with Anitya.space. In this session, you will learn how to create your projects in an ultra-light digital environment with low-code tools that make life easier for digital creators. No prior programming knowledge is required, and you can follow the session’s work from your laptop or tablet.
5€ for professionals and general public
2,50€ for students
Masterclass
EN
24 MARCH
14h00 – 16h00
Cinema São Jorge – Sala 2
Sound Particles
Inside the Magic World of Sound Particles
Discover how Sound Particles became a game-changer in Hollywood, being used in productions such as Frozen 2, Super Mario, Dune, Oppenheimer, Mission Impossible and Star Wars. This session dives into the cutting-edge technology behind this 3D CGI-like audio software, showcasing how it transforms sound design by scaling a few sounds into thousands, capturing audio from any perspective, and seamlessly adapting to any format. From blockbuster films to AAA games and music production, explore how Sound Particles is redefining the future of entertainment audio.
5€ for professionals and general public
2,50€ for students
25 MARCH
10h00 – 12h30
Cinema São Jorge – Sala 2
Thomas Renoldner
The Work of the Teacher, Curator, Musician and Animator
(with screenings)
Thomas Renoldner will give an insight in his biography and his work in different areas connected to the art of animation, and how these activities influenced his work as an artist.
The film program gives a quite complete overview about the animated films of Thomas Renoldner.
Generally he never tried to develope one style, but his intention was always to be open to different techniques and also artistic concepts.
A good part of his films might be described as experimental, but his intention is always to keep his work accessible for a general audience, his last three films he likes to label as “”funny avantgarde””. Another important aspect of his films is strong interest in music, which he oftenly composes or performs himself, some of these films are rather strict and structural, others are more playful. The selection also includes two films he realised as a producer, for his friends Martin Anibas and Sabine Groschup.
5€ for professionals and general public
2,5€ for students
Masterclass and Book Launch
PT + EN
25 MARCH
14h00 – 17h00
Cinema São Jorge – Sala 2
José-Manuel Xavier
He, The Other Movement and I
“He” is my friend and master, Armando Servais Tiago.
‘The Other Movement’ is my art.
I am José-Manuel Xavier.
When maturity is reached, everything that was scattered and unfocused comes together in a clear path that allows one to identify what is owed to someone.
I owe Armando Servais Tiago a great deal.
This fact constantly leads me to reflect on the complex paths of acquiring knowledge, on the key phases of a process that allows one to receive from a master what we will later use to create in our own name.
Armando Servais Tiago did not teach me, he transmitted to me.
What did he transmit to me?
The taste for poetry, music, the arts, and the constant search for beauty.
Without realizing it, Armando Servais Tiago allowed me to become myself.
I, José-Manuel Xavier, as the heir of his thought, decided to dedicate the rest of my life to the art of the Other Movement, which, more than anything, allows me today to honor him.
5€ for professionals and general public
2,50€ for students
Masterclass
PT
26 MARCH
10h00 – 12h00
Cinemateca Portuguesa
[SOLD OUT]
Regina Pessoa
My Creative Process
She grew up in a rural environment in a small village, with no television, cinema, or any education in Moving Image.
However, mysteries of life… she became a filmmaker.
Her masterclass describes the creative process throughout her films, supported by videos, images, and making-ofs, developed in 4 chapters:
PROLOGUE: A brief introduction about who she is, where she comes from, and how she started working in animation.
Chapter I – “THE NIGHT” | Peering through Shadows and Fears, her first film.
Chapter II – “TRAGIC STORY WITH A HAPPY ENDING” | Light and Difference, pursuing her artistic and personal identity.
Chapter III – “”KALi, THE LITTLE VAMPIRE”” | Shadows and Light, leaving childhood behind and self-acceptance – the trilogy.
Chapter IV – “UNCLE THOMAS – ACCOUNTING FOR DAYS”: A tribute to a beloved figure, childhood from the perspective of the adult she is today, and a reflection on her Creative process.
1€ one-time fee
Masterclass
EN
26 MARCH
14h00 – 17h00
Cinema São Jorge – Sala 2
Abstract Day | Thomas Steiner & Hugo Olim
Abstract Animated Film Inspired by Various Art Forms & The Obtuse Way
Artists Thomas Steiner (AT) and Hugo Olim (PT) will discuss the creative process behind their abstract body of work, encompassing fine arts, film, animation, and digital media.
In collaboration with Punto y Raya Festival
14h00 | Thomas Steiner (Linz, AT) – Abstract Animated Film Inspired by Various Art Forms
BetweeAustrian painter and experimental film director Thomas Steiner will explore the creative process behind his work, showcasing examples from his animated films.
His animated films navigate the dynamic interplay between painting, architecture, music, and installation.
The talk is divided into four sections, examining how artistic approaches inspire filmic ideas—and how film, in turn, shapes artistic expression.
15h00 | Hugo Olim (Madeira, PT) – The Obtuse Way
Hugo Olim has been exploring the diverse nature of imagery in different ways, especially in its relationship with sound, time, space and technology. In this talk he will review some of his abstract videos and live visual performances explaining the processes and concepts behind his practice. From analog video signals to generative software, from 35mm film to microscopes, he has been playing and experimenting in many forms in order to create images beyond their obvious reality.”
5€ for professionals and general public
2,5€ for students
Talk and Book Presentation
PT + EN
26 MARCH
14h00 – 17h00
Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes
MONSTRA Summit: 25 Years of Portuguese Animation & Presentation of the Nancy Phelps’ book
(moderated by Luís Salvado)
MONSTRA has followed and promoted Portuguese animation over the last 25 years. Whether on its screens or through the multiple retrospectives held in Portugal and around the world. On the 25th anniversary of MONSTRA, we will explore the development and growth of our animation through testimonies from directors, producers, historians, and academics.
Following the MONSTRA SUMMIT, the book On the Animation Trail (titled No Rasto da Animação in Portuguese) by journalist and historian Nancy Phelps will be launched. The work documents two decades of her participation in international animation festivals, highlighting MONSTRA as one of the first events in this long journey through the world of global animation festivals.
free
Masterclass
EN
27 MARCH
14h00 – 16h00
Cinema São Jorge – Sala 2
Priit Pärn & Olga Pärn
Script as the Reason for Creating New Technological Solutions for 2D Animated Film
Back in 2011, we planned absolutely another script/story for an animation film in sand technique. How the evaluation process of working with visuals forced us to change the story first and how then the changed story forced us to evaluate visuals and to create ground breaking technologie in sand with plural levels and 2D computer graphics.
5€ for professionals and general public
2,5€ for students
Round Table
PT + ES
27 MARCH
16h30 – 19h00
Instituto Cervantes de Lisboa
Iberian Producers Round Table: The Future of Iberian Co-Production
(moderated by Chelo Loureiro)
The quality of Portuguese Animation has, in recent years, expanded international partnerships and co-productions, particularly with Spain. This second meeting of Iberian producers within the scope of the MONSTRA Festival, in partnership with the Instituto Cervantes, aims to consolidate and broaden these productive and dynamic partnerships, looking at and reflecting on the challenges and opportunities for the future of these co-productions.
free
Panel
PT
28 MARCH
10h00 – 12h00
Cinema São Jorge – Sala 2
ICA Presentation: Funding Programmes for Animation Projects
Financial support from the ICA, related to animation projects: Writing and development, Production, Co-production, Training, among others arising from interaction with the public.
free
Panel
PT
28 MARCH
14h00 – 18h00
Cinema São Jorge – Sala 2
Portuguese Projects in Development
Portuguese animation remains full of vitality. Once again, MONSTRA brings together Portuguese producers to present the animation projects in development by various studios, production companies, and authors. A meeting where we will get to know the upcoming animated films with national production or international co-production.
free