Far from dark theaters, Porto’s gardens, squares, and plazas serve as the backdrop for open-air movie screenings this summer . Following the “Oásis” initiative by Batalha Centro de Cinema, another cultural series is set to arrive in Porto this coming Friday, July 31: “Cinema Fora do Sítio.” With ten screenings spread across different venues, the initiative runs through August 29. Organized by the Porto City Council in partnership with the INATEL Foundation, admission is free and includes complimentary popcorn at every screening, always starting at 9:30 p.m.
From feature films to animated films
The program alternates between feature-length films in their original language with subtitles —shown on Fridays—and animated films dubbed into Portuguese, reserved for Saturdays. The screenings will be hosted by radio host and film critic César Nóbrega, as well as journalist and critic Mário Augusto on the first two nights, July 31 and August 7.
A premiere with Porto in the spotlight
The opening screening takes place at Largo da Sé and features a fitting title: *A Costureirinha da Sé* (1958), by Manuel Guimarães, portrays the life of Aurora, a seamstress from the Bairro da Sé neighborhood who dreams of participating in a chita dress contest. The screening is supported by the Portuguese Film Archive.
The following day, August 1, Alameda das Fontainhas will host *Tom & Jerry: The Lost Compass*, directed by Zhang Gang, the first of several animated films scheduled for Saturdays during the series.
Oscars, Pixar, and political thrillers
On August 7, the Palácio de Cristal will host *Battle After Battle*, written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson —the film that won the awards for Best Picture and Best Director at the most recent Academy Awards ceremony. On August 8, Quinta do Covelo will screen *Saltitões*, Pixar’s 30th film, set in a world where technology transfers human minds into robotic animal bodies.
On August 14, the film series comes to Largo da Estação de Campanhã with *O Agente Secreto*( The Secret Agent), directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring Wagner Moura. The film follows Marcelo, a teacher who leaves São Paulo to return to Recife during Brazil’s military dictatorship. On Saturday , August 15, Largo do Amor de Perdição will screen *Flow – À Deriva*, the story of a black cat’s survival in a world devoid of humans.
The full program through the end of August
The following week, on August 21, Jardim das Sobreiras will host *13 Days, 13 Nights*, a political thriller based on true events and directed by Martin Bourboulon. On August 22, Praça de D. João I will screen *Os Lendários*, an animated adventure based on the comic books by Patrick Sobral.
The series wraps up on the final weekend with two screenings at the same venue: CACE Cultural do Porto will screen *O Filho do Carpinteiro* on August 28 —a horror film by Egyptian director Lotfy Nathan inspired by the Gospel of Pseudo-Thomas, a second-century apocryphal text about the childhood of Jesus. The final screening, on August 29, takes place at the Sarah Afonso Garden with *Bichos a Bordo*, an animated film about a group of animals helping each other against a badger.
Useful Information
📍Where: Various locations in Porto
📆When: July 31 through August 29, always at 9:30 p.m.
🎟️Ticket: free admission
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