GaiaShopping hosts children’s film festival organised by IndieJúnior Porto on 18 and 19 October
On 18 and 19 October, GaiaShopping will be transformed into a special cinema for children — and the whole family — with a film festival curated by IndieJúnior Porto, the children’s and youth film festival that returns between 26 January and 1 February 2026.
During this weekend, award-winning short films from various countries will be screened, all with engaging, educational and imaginative themes. The programme also includes free animation workshops, where children will be able to create their own thaumatrope — an optical toy from the time when cinema was still in its infancy!
With sessions organised by themes such as ‘Knowing the World’, ‘Family and Fun’ and ‘Living and Learning’, viewers will be able to immerse themselves in stories of friendship, discovery and overcoming adversity, with films such as:
Poça da Maré (Switzerland, 2023) – A fun journey to the bottom of the ocean where we find solidarity and unity among different sea creatures.
Insetos Turistas (Greece, 2022) – The friendship between a beetle and a ladybird; which is not very different from a friendship between humans.
A Menina dos Olhos Ocupados (Portugal, 2024) – A lively warning about excessive screen time; a film that entertains the youngest viewers but draws the attention of parents.
Melting Heart Cake (France, 2019) – A little mouse ventures into the forest to give her rabbit friend a chocolate cake, a chilly adventure with a lot of heart.
Drum Dad (South Korea, 2021) – An unlikely hero in a house full of energy, here we find work, responsibility, parenting and animation.
Death to the Bikini (Canada, 2023) – A punk film that makes us think about the arbitrariness of the rules of the adult world.
The feature film Anzu the Ghost Cat will also be screened, a French-Japanese co-production that was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and promises to win over Studio Ghibli fans. With exuberant aesthetics and a plot full of emotion, it is an intergenerational adventure about friendship, growth and magic. On Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m., there are also workshops for parents and children, where they can experience the magic of live animation, creating optical toys and learning how drawings come to life with director Alexandra Allen.
This exhibition is a unique opportunity for families to enjoy quality cultural moments in a relaxed atmosphere. The initiative anticipates the 2026 edition of IndieJunior Porto, bringing the creative and educational spirit of the festival to GaiaShopping.
For the short film sessions, those interested can register on the GaiaShopping website to reserve a maximum of two free tickets per session, which can be collected at the Information Desk until the end of 17 October. For the screening of the film Gato Fantasma Anzu, tickets can be purchased at the NOS ticket offices at GaiaShopping.
Location: GaiaShopping
Dates: 18 and 19 October 2025
Audience: Families and children aged 3 and over
Let’s go to the cinema?