| PRECARIOUS WORK IN FILM FESTIVALS: STRUCTURES, EXPERIENCES, AND COLLEC-
TIVE RESPONSES |
Day: 22 April
Time: 10:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Venue: Bar High Life - Batalha Centro de Cinema
Within the scope of the ‘Encontros de Bárbaras’, Porto Femme is promoting a session dedicated to sustainability in film festivals, in articulation with the theme of Work that runs through the 2026 edition. Led by Skadi Loist, this session proposes to deepen reflection on working conditions in film festivals. Aimed at people working in programming, in festival organization, and those interested in the topic, the workshop seeks to create a space for sharing and reflection on how to imagine and build more sustainable, fair, and inclusive film festivals.
First Part:
30-40 minute presentation by Skadi Loist.
It addresses short‑term contracts, unstable professional paths, and the consequent loss of knowledge when experienced professionals leave the sector. It also highlights unionization efforts, the Fair Festival Award in Germany, and collective labor agreements in Austria, which seek to improve working conditions.
In light of the increasing political and financial pressures on cultural institutions, the presentation will further reflect on how funding dependencies influence work structures within festivals.
Second Part:
Reflection by the participants on their own professional experiences through discussions in small groups.
Skadi Loist | They/Them
| Lecturer |
Skadi Loist
Skadi Loist teaches Film Studies at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. Originally from East Germany, she previously worked as an assistant lecturer in Production Cultures at the Film University Babelsberg. She has led several international research projects and publications dedicated to film festivals, film circulation, queer cinema, and issues of sustainability, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the audiovisual industries. She co‑founded the Film Festival Research Network in 2008 and worked for more than a decade with queer film festivals in different roles, from an archive internship to pre‑selection, editing a commemorative publication, and participating in directing teams. She obtained her PhD with a dissertation dedicated to queer film culture. She regularly serves on festival juries, such as Mezipatra, Uppsala, the Berlinale Teddy Award, and Kosmorama.
| Other Information |
Working Language: English
Registration Fee: Free, Subject to Availability
| Important |
The Selected Candidates will be contacted by 4 April.
You will be notified of your Selection by Email.
