Portugal and Croatia’s Cinematic Achievement at Curtas de Vila do Conde Festival

Celebrating Cinematic Excellence: Portugal and Croatia’s Collaborative Triumph

A remarkable collaboration between Portugal and Croatia culminated in a prestigious accolade for Portuguese director Mário Macedo at the renowned Curtas de Vila do Conde festival, which concluded this past Saturday. His film, That’s How I Love You (original title: Tako te volim), was exclusively filmed in Croatia and features a talented all-Croatian cast.

This poignant 18-minute film intricately explores the story of a child who discovers a harsh reality during a summer holiday at his grandparents’ countryside home. The jury praised the film for its subtle yet profound storytelling, highlighting its intelligent portrayal of a child’s perspective amidst the complexities of love and cruelty. They remarked, “It allowed us time to understand growth and how love emanates,” emphasizing the film’s ability to create an atmosphere where tenderness and harshness coexist harmoniously.

The jury further expressed their appreciation, stating, “It is a playful film that brought us joy and will remain with us and the audience with whom we shared the screening.”

• Best Animated Short Film: Les animaux vont mieux by Nathan Ghali (France)
• Best Documentary: Very Gentle Work by Nate Lavey (USA)
• Best Fiction: Pandarilo by Marcela Heilbron (Panama)
• National Short Film Competition Main Prize: Rinha by Rita M. Pestana

Founded in 1993, the Curtas Vila do Conde festival stands as Portugal’s premier international short film festival, showcasing an impressive array of categories including fiction, documentary, animation, experimental films, and music videos. This festival continues to be a platform for innovative filmmakers, celebrating the art of short cinema.