By bringing the best of contemporary Arab cinema to Portugal, the Lisbon Arab Film Festival presents itself as a cultural initiative that aims to foster intercultural dialogue and develop knowledge about the Arab world and promote the excellence of its cinematography.

The historical ties between Portugal and the Arab world are deep and notable, in culture, architecture, and the Portuguese language - among many other areas. However, these influences are often overlooked. At the same time, the reality, complexity, and richness of the contemporary Arab context are also little known.

By showing a selection of recent and outstanding films – in close collaboration with partners from Portugal and the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) – LAFF aims to contribute to the dialogue between cultures and offers a multifaceted view of contemporary Arab societies, which goes beyond stereotypes. The success of the first edition of the festival, which took place at Culturgest last year, clearly shows the relevance of this platform in the city's cinematic landscape as a “window” into the diversity of these communities.