The Laboratório de Cinema da Torre was born from the desire to create a shared space for experimentation, production, and training in analogue film (super8, 16mm and 35mm), which allows filmmakers and artists to invest in analogue format and have contact with development processes on film.
Managed in a cooperative model open to the public, this unique film laboratory in Portugal will operate in a medieval tower from the 13th century in the city’s historic centre. The property was given by the Porto City Council to the Laia cooperative for the implementation of the project, in partnership with Batalha Centro de Cinema and Filmaporto – Film Commission.
Laia – a cooperative dedicated to cinematographic and artistic production founded in 2019 by Laetitia Morais, Mónica Baptista and Sofia Arriscado – and curator/researcher Margarida Mendes will be responsible for the production and direction of films, film shows, training, artistic residencies and rental or equipment loan.
Responding to the demand of the local and international artistic community for a structure of this kind and aiming to stimulate the production of cinema in the country, the Laboratório de Cinema da Torre will attract a diverse and transgenerational audience, such as directors, visual artists, cinematographers, production directors, technicians and researchers, but also students or amateurs, who will be able to enjoy cinematographic, social and educational activities.
The laboratory has already established partnerships with entities linked to cinema and arts, such as Doc’s Kingdom, Cherry Kino, CIAJG, Casa de Xisto, Rua Escura, Terra Treme, Átomo 47 and Nanolab.
Through the creation of this equipment, Portugal will become part of filmlabs.org, a network of film laboratories managed by directors and artists.