I.M.P. In Support As Portugal Takes On The Artworld

This years Rotterdam Cinema Festival looks set to throw the spotlight of modern popular culture onto the burgeoning trend of Portuguese cinema, with no fewer than ten Portuguese films being featured in the festival line-up, and one director – Rui Golart also receiving a nomination for an honourable mention by the festival’s panel of judges. This recognition is welcome indeed for a nation that, according to Portuguese news website theportugalnews.com “is striving to thrust its movie industry forward”. As IMP, a sales and marketing firm, has its home in Lisbon, the Managing Director has understandably come out in strong support of his country’s foray into the world of cinema. “I’m pleased to see the response the works of Rui Golart and others has received,” the MD commented recently, “Portugal has always had a rich and vibrant art scene and it can only be good for the country to share its talents with the world.”

1st Time, 16mm is filmed in Rui Golart’s homeland, as well as in various locations in France, Italy and Spain. It tells the story of a young movie-maker named Miguel who embarks on a series of adventures whilst filming his first motion picture. As reported on theportugalnews.com, the film was produced in 2008 with the support of Chiado Terrasse Filmes and is Golart’s seventh full-length film. The film first launched in Portugal in early 2009 and has since been shown in Denmark, Tokyo, Brazil and the USA, where it won recognition at the prestigious Los Angeles Movie Awards.

“I will be following this years festival closely,” said IMP’s Managing Director, “and I wish all entrants success in their chosen categories.”

Portugal is also dominating the world of short-films at this years Festival, showcasing four films in the ‘Spectrum Shorts’ category, as well the world premiere of short-length feature As Ondas (The Waves), described by the festival organisation as a movie wherein “the details of the relationship between two sisters is balanced out by the immensity of the ocean, the cliffs and the end-of-summer sky.”

Also featured recently on theportugalnews.com are three new Portuguese bands that will all be playing at one of the USA’s largest music festivals. Papercutz, Dead Combo and You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown will be performing at this years South by Southwest festival, an annual celebration of music and film, which is to be held in Austin, Texas from March 9th until March 18th.

The Managing Director of IMP will also be watching closely the future careers of these breakthrough acts; “The South by Southwest Festival has been running for twenty years. It is one of the most prestigious music events in the world, let alone North America, and the good response I feel these bands are sure to receive will surely help introduce a whole new global audience to Portuguese music.”

http://www.theportugalnews.com/