ARENA opening film in Moscow

Arena is selected to be part of the Moscow Short Film Festival 2009, being screened out of competition. The festivals runs 16-21 December.

Besides four competition screenings of the Moscow debutants in short cinema the festival will include eight out-of-competition screenings.

Within the out-of-competition screenings the festival organizers will offer to the young filmmakers, audience and film fans a possibility to see short films of the years 2008-2009 that were awarded at the world`s best film festivals and the most famous Russian ones.

The film will be screened during the open cerimony of the festival.
Thursday 17th December 19:00 at the Big Hall of the «Khudozhestvenny» cinema.

Know more at 2009.msff.ru

ARENA on Wheels

Arena is part of the programe of the 15th Festival on Wheels, running 4-20 December in the cities of Ankara, Artvin and Skopje.

For a whole month every year, the Festival on Wheels has visited different cities with the latest fare from world cinema, sections dedicated to masters, new films from Turkey, short film compilations and special screenings raising social and cultural issues through the medium of film.

More info about the festival program and schedule at www.festivalonwheels.org.

ARENA in Santa Maria da Feira

Arena was selected to be part of the short-features competition of the 13rd Festival de Cinema Luso-Brasileiro running 6-13 December in the portuguese city of Santa Maria da Feira.

This the most important festival exclusively dedicated to both portuguese and brazilian cinema.

Arena will be screened 10th December - 20h30.

More info here: www.cineclubedafeira.net

BEST SHORT FILM in LUANDA

We're very happy to announce that Arena got the main prize for Best Short Film, in the FIC - Luanda International Film Festival.

The festival happened in the capital of Angola between the 20th - 27th November.

More info at www.ficluanda.org

Arena in Belgium

The 15th International Short Film Festival Leuven selected Arena to be part of it's European Competition, running 28 Dec - 5 Nov.

Every year, Leuven is the place to be as the showcase of (new) film talent; 250 films from 25 different countries and selected from thousands of entries are brought together on a silver platter.

Arena will be screened twice at the Arts Center STUK:
- sat, nov 28th - 20h00
-fri, dec 4th - 18h00

more info available at: www.kortfilmfestival.be

ARENA: opening film in Évora

Arena was the invited to be the opening film in FIKE 2009 - 8^th Évora International Short Film Festival.

FIKE is an independent International Short Film Festival organized by the non-profit associations University of Évora Film Society, Páteo do Cinema - SOIR Joaquim Antonio de Aguiar and Mixreel. Arena was screened 25th November.

To know more: www.fikeonline.net

ARENA in Oslo

Arena is among the few short films selected for the Oslo International Film Festival, running 19th - 29th November in the capital of Norway.

The screening days for Arena are:

• Thu, 26. nov 18:30 [Filmens Hus Tancred]
• Sat, 28. nov 18:15 [Filmens Hus Lillebil]

Know more at: www.oslofilmfestival.com

Arena in Angola

Arena was selected to be part of the international competition in 2nd Luanda International Film Festival.

The festival runs 20-27 November, presenting to Angolan audience many important and internationally awarded films not yet shown in Angola, to provoke a local debate about contemporary issues and to propose the analysis of international film production, suggesting the need of a qualitative improvemente of Angolan national production.

Arena is screened 26th November at Cine Nacional.

To know more: www.ficluanda.org

ARENA: spanish prémiere in Gijón

We're very happy to announce that Arena will have its spanish prémiere in the 47th Gijón International Film Festival, running November 19-28 2009.

The Festival´s origins date back to 1963 and it's one of the most important film festivals in Spain. Throughout the past few years, some of the most prestigious professionals in independent filmmaking have attended the festival, as subjects of retrospectives and homages, such as Abbas Kiarostami, Aki Kaurismäki, Todd Haynes, Pedro Costa, Paul Schrader, João César Monteiro, Seijun Suzuki, Jem Cohen, Kenneth Anger, Ulrich Seidl, Hal Hartley, Lukas Moodyson, Tsai Ming-liang, Claire Denis or Todd Solondz.

Arena is selected to the Official Section for Shorts, together with other 15 films.

Screening days:
- screening 1 : 25th Nov | 19:45 | Cines Centro 2
- screening 2 : 26th Nov | 17:00 | Cines Centro 1

Festival website: www.gijonfilmfestival.com

ARENA in Sweden

Arena was selected by the 20th Stockholm Film Festival to be part of its official selection, running between the 18th-29th November.

The Stockholm International Film Festival screens approx 170 films from over 40 countries each year with complimenting screentalks called "Face2Face" where audience members can interact directly with visiting guests, directors and actors, while cruising between movie theatres, seminars and parties.

Arena will be screened three times:
- Friday 27/11 21:00 @ Skandia
- Saturday 28/11 18:30 @ Saga 3
- Sunday 29/11 17h30 @ Victoria 1

more info at: www.stockholmfilmfestival.se

ARENA in Bristol

Arena is going to participate in one more film festival in the United Kingdom: the Encounters Short Film Festival, in the city of Bristol, from 17th - 21th November.

Encounters Short Film Festival is celebrating it's 15th year showcasing new talent in filmmaking and providing a platform for emerging filmmakers to screen their work. Over 150 films in competition will be screened over five days.

Arena screening dates are:
- Friday 20 November 14.30 Watershed Cinema 3
- Saturday 21 November 17.30 Watershed Cinema 2

more info at: www.encounters-festival.org.uk

ARENA in Bulgaria

Arena was invited to participate in this year's edition of Cinemania.

Cinemania started in 1987 as a World Film Panorama. From the very beginning, this film forum became a real vogue among Bulgarian spectators. Most attractive, significant films made worldwide, and not shown in Bulgarian cinema halls, were included in its program.

The festival runs from the 13th November to 3rd December.

To know more: www.kinomania.bg

ARENA in Slovenia

Arena was selected to participate in the international shorts competition of the 20th Ljubljana International Film Festival - Liffe.

The Ljubljana International Film Festival runs 11th-20th November, presenting the latest films from all over the world and winners of the most prominent festivals accentuate unique auctorial poetics with tributes to individual authors and at the same time highlight some of the most exciting national productions.

Arena will be screened 17th November - 19:00 at the Dvorana Slovenske Kinoteke.

Festival website: http://en.liffe.si/

ARENA in Belo Horizonte

After beeing selected for both international festivals of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Arena will be screened out of competition in the 11th Belo Horizonte International Short Film Festival.

The film will be screened with other portuguese shorts selected by the Portuguese Short Film Agency.

To know more: www.festivaldecurtasbh.com.br

ARENA wins Best Film in Azores

We're very happy to announce that Arena was awarded twice by the Faial Film Fest, in the Azores Archipelago: Best Fiction and Best Film.

Arena also got a Mention by the Onda Curta Prize Jury.

Almost half an year after it's prémiere in IndieLisboa, this was the second time that Arena participated in the competition of a portuguese festival.

The complete awards list is available at: http://faialfilmesfest.cineclube.org/

ARENA in Leeds

Arena will participate in the International Shorts Competition at the 23rd Leeds International Film Festival.

Leeds International Film Festival returns from 4th to the 22nd November 2009 and will once again showcase the very best new cinema from around the world. LIFF is considered one of the most important film festivals in the UK.

Arena will be screened 11th november - 13:30.

Know more at www.leedsfilm.com

ARENA selected for the CORK FILM FESTIVAL

We're very happy to announce that ARENA will participate in the 54th CORK FILM FESTIVAL.

Corona Cork Film Festival is one of Ireland’s premier cultural events. Established in 1956, the festival has enjoyed a steady growth in scale, in numbers of admissions and guests, in reputation and in media coverage. The festival has developed an ever-increasing audience of general public, film lovers and filmmakers.

Corona Cork Film Festival is held in high regard on a local, national and international level. In Cork city and region it is one the most important events in the social and cultural calendar.

The programme is wide-ranging, an eclectic mix of big budget pictures, world cinema, innovative independent films, documentaries and short films from all over the globe. The festival is a major showcase for Irish film production.

Screening days:
Fri 06 Nov | 2:30pm | Kino Cinema
Sun 08 Nov | 4:00pm | Cork Opera House

to know more: www.corkfilmfestival.org

ARENA in Azores

The Faial Filmes Festival - Azores Short Film Festival will screen ARENA in its official competition.

The festival runs every year in the beautiful island of Faial, in the Azores Archipelago.

ARENA will be screened 7th November.
To know more: www.faialfilmesfest.cineclube.org/

ARENA in Rio de Janeiro

ARENA will participate in the RIO DE JANEIRO INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL - CURTA CINEMA 2009.

It's the second time ARENA is showed in Brazil, after being screened in São Paulo.

The festival is one of the most important film festivals for short films in South America. This year CURTA CINEMA will occur from the 30th October to the 8th November.

To know more: www.curtacinema.com.br

ARENA in Pusan

ARENA was selected for the 14th Pusan International Film Festival, in South Korea.

The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) held annually in South Korea is one of the most important film festivals that is held in Asia. A major focus of the festival is the introduction of new films and directors, particularly those from Asia. In the previous edition, the festival had an audience of 200.000 people.

This is the first time ARENA is screened in Asia.

The 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) will take place 8-16 October 2009.

More info: www.piff.org

Arena: opening film in Festival Jean Carmet

Fes
Arena will be the short film screened in the opening night of the Festival Jean Carmet in Moulins, France.

More info here.

Arena in Warsaw Film Festival

Arena was selected for the Warsaw Film Festival.

The Warsaw Film Festival (WFF) is the key international film event in Poland, recognized by FIAPF. The WFF is held every year starting from 1985, always in October during the Polish 'golden autumn'.
Some figures for last year's edition: 244 films (157 features and 87 shorts) from 55 countries, 10 days, 9 screens, 97,000 admissions, 149 filmmakers (directors, producers, actors) presenting their films.

More info about the festival: www.wff.pl

ARENA selected for London Film Festival

We are delighted to announce that ARENA is selected for the Times - BFI 53rd London Film Festival.

The Times bfi London Film Festival is Europe's largest public film event and runs for two weeks every autumn, showcasing the best in contemporary cinema from around the world at venues across London. The festivals is scheduled to run from 14th to 29th October.

ARENA will be screened twice:

» Sat 17 | 16:00 | NFT2

» Sun 18 | 16:15 | NFT3

more information at www.bfi.org.uk/lff/

Best of Short Film

ARENA will be screened in the 8th International Best of Short Films Festival.

The festival happens every year in September, and it shows short films that had already been prized before.

ARENA will be shown in the town of La Ciotat. It's the first time ARENA is screened in France after Cannes.

More information at: www.bestoffestival.com/

'Arena' in Macedonia

ARENA was just selected for the 30th MANAKI BROTHERS - INTERNATIONAL CINEMATOGRAPHERS' FILM FESTIVAL in the Republic of Macedonia.

Established in 1979 in the city of Bitola, the festival has gained many sincere friends from the sphere of film from all over the world. Today, it enjoys a unique reputation as one of the few festivals specifically honoring the art and creativity of the cinematographer.

The Festival will run from 26th September - 03rd October.

Know more at www.manaki.com.mk

ARENA coming soon to portuguese theaters

ARENA will premiere SEPTEMBER 17th along with "Taking Woodstock", Ang Lee's latest film in:

- Lisbon
- Oporto
- Oeiras
- Cascais
- Loures
- Almada
- Setúbal
- Faro
- Aveiro
- Gaia
- Braga

In a few days the complete theaters list will be available.

'Arena' in São Paulo

The South-American Premiere of 'Arena' will happen in Brazil during the 20th Short Kinoforum - São Paulo International Short Film Festival.

The event will be held between 20th to 28th August.


Festival website: www.kinoforum.org.br/curtas/2009/

'Arena' selected for the Sarajevo Film Festival

'Arena' was invited to participate in the 15th Sarajevo Film Festival.

The film is selected to be part of the New Currents, a Competition Program "dedicated to the filmmakers who demonstrate daring and characteristic cinematic voices".

The festival will occur between 12th - 20th August 2009.

"Sarajevo Film Festival is an international festival with a specialized focus on South-Eastern
Europe. With its 100,000 visitors and a regional Co-Production Market, the Sarajevo Film
Festival is today recognized as the largest and most influential festival in our region."

More info: www.sff.ba

'Arena' in Curtas Vila do Conde

'Arena' will be screened in the Panorama section of 17th Curtas Vila do Conde - International Film Festival.

This will be the second time that a film directed by João Salaviza is screened in Vila do Conde, after receiving the Take One Prize - for works produced by film schools - in the edition of 2005 with the short film "Duas Pessoas (Two Close)".

The festival will run between 4th - 12th July in Vila do Conde.

more at: www.curtas.pt

ARENA won the PALM D'OR

'ARENA' won the PALM D'OR in the 2009 FESTIVAL DE CANNES.

In the closing ceremony, João Salaviza received the prize by the hands of John Boorman, the President of the Jury for the short films.

'ARENA' made history winning the first PALM D'OR ever for a portuguese film.

more at: www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/56827.html

ARENA screening dates in CANNES

Cannes Film Festival 2009:
-The press screening the 19th May 2009 at 13:30 pm at Salle Buñuel (300 seats)
-The official screening the 23th May 2009 at 11:00 am at Theatre Debussy (1068 seats)
-And another public screening the 23th May at 14:30 pm at Salle Buñuel (300 seats)

AWARD for BEST PORTUGUESE SHORT FILM in IndieLisboa

'Arena' won the Award for Best Portuguese Short Film in IndieLisboa '09.

The film was selected for both international and portuguese competition.

Check all the prizes at: www.indielisboa.com

ARENA COMPETING FOR THE PALM D'OR

We're delighted to announce that 'Arena' is selected for the Official Competition of The Festival de Cannes 2009.

9 out of approximately 2600 short films made it to the competition.

This will be the International Premiere of the short film.


The festival will run between 13th - 24th May.

more information: http://www.festival-cannes.com
the official selection: http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/2009/shortFilm.html

IndieLisboa - International Competition

'Arena' was selected for the International Competition of IndieLisboa '09 - International Independent Film Festival.

The festival runs between 23th April - 3rd May in Lisbon, Portugal.

This will be the film's World Premiere.

more info: www.indielisboa.com

Poster

film poster by Diogo Tavares | www.fanq.eu

Synopsis, Cast and Crew

SYNOPSIS
Mauro is under house arrest. Tattooing helps him while away the time. Three local kids taunt him through his window. Outside, the midday sun beats down.


CAST
Carloto Cota
Rodrigo Madeira
Rafael Sardo
Cláudio Rosa


CREW
produced by Maria João Mayer + François d'Artemare
cinematography Vasco Viana
editing João Salaviza
art direction Nadia Henriques
set decoration Maria Ribeiro
make up artist Abigail Machado
assistant director Jorge Braz Santos
script supervisor Lincoln Fonseca
sound director Inês Clemente
boom operator Pedro Sabino
sound editing / mixing Nuno Carvalho
chief light technician Filipe Saraiva
key grip David Valente
grip Ricardo Abrantes
grip Luciano Manso
grip Ivânia West
generator operator João Caires
electrician Rui Pereira
steadycam operator Leandro Reis
first assistant camera Leandro Reis
second assistant camera Lisa Reis
wardrobe assistant Natalia Alves


with the financial support of ICA/MC and participation of RTP

© Filmes do Tejo 2009