Event Details
Welcome to DocLisboa 2026
From 15 to 25 October 2026, Lisbon becomes the capital of documentary cinema for the twenty fourth time. DocLisboa is Portugal's leading international documentary film festival; since 2002 it has showcased new directions in nonfiction filmmaking, treating cinema as both a political and an artistic practice. The festival is a member of the Doc Alliance, a partnership of seven major European documentary festivals. Its main venue is the historic Cinema São Jorge on Avenida da Liberdade, complemented by screenings at Culturgest, the Cinemateca Portuguesa and Cinema Ideal.
Highlights
- 24th edition of the acclaimed documentary festival
- Guest country for 2026: Greece
- International and National Competition plus the "New Visions" section for formally inventive works
- Educational program with the abcDoc sessions and DocEscolas school workshops
- Numerous world premieres and international premieres
- Nebulae industry platform with pitching forums and coproduction meetings
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Program
The lineup features national and international films of any length produced after September 2025, many of them screening as world or international premieres in Lisbon. Beyond the international and national competitions, the program includes "New Visions" for formally experimental work and sections addressing urgent political and social realities. Alongside the screenings, Nebulae, the festival's industry space, hosts pitching forums, coproduction meetings and networking events for film professionals. Screenings run throughout the day, typically from around 10:00 AM into late evening; opening and closing galas follow a separate schedule.
Tickets
DocLisboa offers several pass categories: the standard Festival Pass, a discounted pass for Apordoc members, a Professional Pass for industry visitors and a Discount Pass. Early bird pricing for the Festival Pass runs until 31 August at 55 euros, rising to 65 euros in September and 75 euros from October onward; Apordoc members receive a 25 percent discount. The pass grants access to regular screenings, with the opening and closing sessions usually excluded. Individual screenings can generally also be booked separately.
Visitor Tips
- Buy a pass early, since early bird prices are considerably cheaper than the October rate.
- Cinema São Jorge sits centrally on Avenida da Liberdade and is easy to reach by metro (Avenida station).
- Since screenings are spread across several venues, check the exact location of each film in advance.
- Most films screen in their original language with English subtitles.
- Lisbon's autumn weather in October is usually mild; a light jacket is generally enough for evenings.
