Introduction

In a year marked by the complete stop, although temporary, of all presential cultural activities, it is especially gratifying to write this text, a symbolic representation that culture, in general, and cinematographic cultural activity, in particular, continue to play their role, overcoming one unprecedented complex adversity.

AVANCA's commitment to innovation has been a constant that has already been applauded and that, in this 24^th edition, it is even more important to highlight. In view of the imposed difficulties, the Festival managed to guarantee its continuity, reinventing itself and adapting its format, which leaves the exclusivity of movie theaters to include, in its complement, the drive-in, allowing to take the selected films to a greater number of people.

Likewise, the inclusion in this year's edition of a new competitive section - AVANCA Pitch Sessions - supported by the AVANCA Film Fund and aimed at screenwriters with projects in the early stages of developing ideas, reinforces the Festival's ability to follow and respond to challenges imposed on the sector and film professionals who find here another opportunity to develop their work.

Finally, to praise the resilience of AVANCA's organizers and partners, who have shown that they are able to withstand the great amount of uncertainties brought by the context in which we live today, working for the Festival - and the cinema - to continue and prosper.

For all these reasons, it is with great satisfaction that I greet this 24^th edition of AVANCA - International Meeting of Cinema, Television, Video and Multimedia, hoping that it will, as always, be another great celebration of cinema and culture.

In Estarreja, July is the month to receive filmmakers, actors, producers, fans or mere interested people from all over the world, and celebrate the seventh art at the “Avanca Film Festival”, the Film Festival that has been asserting itself on the national and international for 23 years.

In 2020, the 24^th Edition of “Avanca” will necessarily be different due to the reality brought about by the new Coronavirus that, since the beginning of March, has led us to live “another film”, on a global scale and based on a true story.

This new reality we live in, which imposes several restrictions on us, was a challenge for Cine Clube de Avanca, which was able to reinvent itself and adapt to the new times.

This year we will not hear several languages spoken in the small village of Avanca, but the films submitted, from 128 countries, are still in their thousands, for the appreciation of the demanding panel of juries. Over the course of 5 days, activities continue to be many: workshops, exhibitions, showing films in various rooms, exhibitions, international conferences, but always in strict compliance with the guidelines of health authorities, ensuring the safety and well-being of all. The online presence will be constant and intensified, and the exhibition of films in drive-in is the big news, in an experience that has already been anticipated in Avanca and Estarreja.

Avanca 2020 will be different, it is true. But it will not fail to mark and celebrate the seventh art in Estarreja and in the four corners of the world!

Despite all restrictions, the “Avanca Film Festival” will continue to stir cinematographic production and creativity, which the Municipality of Estarreja, with the Cine-Clube de Avanca continues to encourage, helping to promote Cinema in Portugal, with the “Avanca Film Fund”.

In drive-in, in person or online, we will all live this cinema party intensely.
Come with me!
Lights, Camera ... Action!!! ...
… And long live the “Avanca Film Festival”!