Tribeca Film Festival Lisboa 2024

A few insights on catching flights, feelings, films, and culture in Lisbon.

One of my favorite things about living in Europe again is how easy it is to experience different cultures from different countries. By comparison, the U.S. offers more opportunities to experience different ethnicities within the same country. For example, in the time it would take me to travel from DC to NYC by train, I could fly from Lisbon (a lovely city in its own right) to Paris, Amsterdam, London, or Berlin. And as a bonus, the flight is usually cheaper than an Amtrak ticket!

I might’ve taken that “catch flights, not feelings” mantra too far—because, literally, this year, I’ve taken more flights than I’ve been on dates. 😂 🤔

That aside, speaking of the differences between U.S. and European cultures, it was nice to have a local taste of New York when the Tribeca Film Festival rolled into town. You might be wondering: “Tribeca?! Isn’t that in Manhattan? I didn’t even know they hosted the festival in other cities.” They do! And let me share what it was like here in Portugal.

FOR THE LOVE OF FILM

First off, you need to know that I love film. ❤️ Growing up in rural Illinois, I instinctively knew — one day, someday — I’d live somewhere else. I’m proud of my roots and love the people I grew up with. At the same time, it’s okay to explore more. And I always wanted to. Raised by a single mother, we didn’t have the means to travel to dazzling locations, so film became my escape. The first time I ever heard Italian spoken, saw the Pacific Ocean, or learned what Mexico looked like, it was all through screens.

Hell, in college, I even worked at Blockbuster. Not only did I love being kind and rewinding, I adored the endless flow of free VHS rentals. The direct exposure to other lives that more closely resembled my dreams was heaven.

When I moved to New York in 2005, it was natural for me to get involved with Tribeca. I’d already attended the Chicago International Film Festival when I lived in the Chi, commuted to T-Dot’s Toronto International Film Festival for work, and the International Film Festival Rotterdam when I lived in A’dam. Here’s a photo of from circa 2001 with me and my friends at the latter fest.

At Tribeca, I started as a young volunteer checking tickets before screenings, and I eventually worked there as part of the freelance team. (Not sure about now but, back then, the vast majority of folks were freelancers.) It was a dream.

Fast forward 20 years, and I’ve come full circle throughout that time. In partnership with the Ford Foundation, I directed the creation of a report about how the arts can change the world. I also founded my firm, where one of our key areas of social impact is Art for Social Change. (Psst! Next year is our 20th anniversary.) Among other things, we teach nonprofits, NGOS, and businesses how to connect their missions to film, television, theater, and even Broadway to:

• raise more money,

• expand their audience, and

• drive social impact.

So, that brings me to Tribeca in Lisbon.

THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD?

I’m not sure if Tribeca has been hosted in other international cities prior to Lisbon—though I could Google it, and so could you. (Comment if you find out; I’m curious!) Right now, though, I just want to focus on Lisbon.

Tribeca Film Festival Lisboa took place on October 18 & 19 in Beato, an industrial, so-called “up-and-coming” neighborhood. (Think: Lisbon’s very own version of Red Hook.)

While Beato and Brooklyn might seem worlds apart, they bring the same creative energy. If Tribeca Film Festival were just starting out today, yeah, the old Tribeca neighborhood would be a good match for Beato. But the Tribeca we know now is more like Lisbon’s Príncipe Real—more polished and upmarket. Beato, on the other hand, is still raw and industrial, which actually ties back to the festival’s original mission of injecting arts and culture into lower Manhattan’s TRIangle BElow CAnal Street.

Confession: Love Tribeca, not a huge fan of Beato (yet?). For starters, you can actually catch the subway to Tribeca. Beato is in the middle of nowhere. You’ve gotta Uber or Lyft your ass out there, which only adds to the ticket price. Speaking of that.

THE WRONG PRICE?

Tribeca Film Festival Lisboa tickets cost 130€ and includes the whole fest. NYC’s Tribeca charges $225 (about 200€) for their 8-ticket package. Lisbon’s Tribeca includes seven films. So, dollar for dollar and euro for euro, you’re paying approximately the same amount. For either fest, the average is about 18 - 25 dollars (or euros) per ticket. Two thoughts.

1. It’s more expensive in the U.S. Remember, Lisbon’s all-you-can-see pass is 130€ and includes more than the films. It covers everything. By comparison, NYC’s all-inclusive rate is $1,350. Granted the festival is 11 days, not 2. So, you’re basically paying approximately 65 / per day in Lisbon and 125 / per in New York.

2. It’s more expensive in Portugal. It’s true. You’re getting a better daily average bang for your buck in Lisbon. That said, the price feels steep given the local context. When you consider the significant difference in salaries between Portugal and the U.S., the cost could start to feel, as one Portuguese commentator bluntly put it, absolutely pornographic:

“An absolutely pornographic price and out of touch with Portuguese reality, when we are used to going to MOTELX, Doclisboa, LEFFEST or Indielisboa and paying [€ 5 - 8] per session.”

Here’s the thing: Costs are not so much a Tribeca issue. What’s represented in the ticket price is indicative of a larger item Lisbon is facing: gentrification. The same thing that happened to London and other international cities is starting to happen here. So, to put things in perspective, any local outrage over ticket costs may be more indicative of that wider shift.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME?

Tribeca Film Festival Lisboa will return in 2025. What? With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Chris Evans, George Clooney and Sharon Stone all hang around here, it’s suddenly starting to feel like Lisbon is becoming a bit more “Hollywood”—for better or worse.

If you’re into rubbing shoulders with such A-listers, go to Comporta and Melides. I called it and said this before, but these are the go-to spots for Americans seeking exclusivity outside the city, much like escaping to the Cape, Martha’s Vineyard, or East Hampton instead of staying in the city.

So, if glitter and glam are your thing, mark your calendar for the next Tribeca. Having successfully pulled off a test run, I’m going to guess the 2025 affair will be even better and bigger.

If you're craving a more local vibe, it’s a good idea to support MOTELX, Doclisboa, LEFFEST or Indielisboa. Can I let you in on a secret? You don’t have to choose; they can coexist and you can enjoy all — or none — of the festivals as you wish. It’s your life. Enjoy it as you please.

That’s it for the sneak peek into last weekend’s Tribeca adventures. Curious about what comes next? Smash that subscribe button if you haven’t already, and join me for the next chapter!