MiratecArts is launching an "idea competition" to support audiovisual production in the Azores, aimed at writers, directors, producers or production companies led by portuguese ou portuguese-descendants living outside Portugal, our emigrant communities and descendants. You must present a proposal idea to be shot on the island of Pico, for a short film, lasting 7 to 15 minutes.
Requirements
The winning idea must be turned into a film project, shot at minimum 60% on Pico Island, Azores.
The jury will give preference to projects that focus on Pico Island, whether due to its history, traditions, locations, settings, the mountain island itself as a character, and/or that include talent and the community of the island or the Azores in general.
Only proposals for short films lasting between 7 and 15 minutes will be accepted.
To be accepted for the competition, the proposal must come from a WRITER, DIRECTOR or PRODUCER with a Portuguese citizen-card holder living abroad, or proof of portuguese-descendancy (provide parents or grandparents citizen card, or other document).
Proposals may be submitted until 11:59 p.m. (Azores time) on November 1, 2025, to the email: info@mirateca.com with current audiovisual curriculum (CV) and completed official application with links to social media.
Application may be requested via info@mirateca.com
Selection Process
In the first phase, the proposals will be evaluated by a jury of three people from each of the three municipalities on the island of Pico.
The three finalist candidate projects will be contacted directly to proceed to the second phase of the selection process. Upon accepting the challenge, the title ideias will be announced at the Montanha Pico Festival, january 2026.
In the second phase, the finalist proposals will have up to March 1st 2026 to complete this phase of the process, which will include the pre-production of the project, such as the appointment of the members of the production team, projected budget and script.
Winner
The project winner will be notified by May 1st, 2026.
Production and Financing
The project winner will be guaranteed
- up to 2-weeks-stay (shared apartment with full kitchen in the center of Town of Madalena, Pico island), maximum 6 people, during january 2027.
- MiratecArts will be a co-producer of the winning project, acting as such, supporting with all island logistics, locations, transport and contacts.
- MiratecArts supports the production locally, to its maximum capacity, and encourages the winning proposal to apply for financial support, public or private, being willing to sign letters of support for this purpose.
- MiratecArts support estimated value at 5000€ but, it does not attribute any direct funds for the production.
Film Presentations
The final work will have a guaranteed exhibition at the Montanha Pico Festival 2028. MiratecArts will support registrations for other festivals.