A Collective / Inarticulate Harmony
programmed by Raquel Schefer and Rita Morais
In 2025, we celebrate 25 years since the first edition of Doc’s Kingdom – International Seminar on Documentary Film. For this special edition, we will return to Odemira, from 14 to 19 November 2025, with a programme of screenings, debates, and other activities.
Under the title “A collective / inarticulate harmony”, the programme maps historical and contemporary collective filmmaking practices in different geopolitical zones, to contribute to a reflection on the possibility and conditions of collectivist cinema in the present.
In addition to looking at continuities and breaks that interlink key moments of collective filmmaking, the programme raises questions related to the experimentation of horizontal social relations and to the internal and external contradictions often involved in collective modes of organisation. Spatially and temporally situated, the programme also dialogues with the political history of Alentejo, departing from the process of collectivisation of land and labour that marked that territory.
In the midst of the ongoing genocide in Palestine, the rise of fascism and racism in Portugal as elsewhere, the relentless brutality of extractive capitalism and neocolonial structures, and the hollowing out of concepts of their political meaning, this programme points to collectivity not as an abstract idea but as a way of thinking, being, and doing together.
The names of the guests and featured collectives will be announced in the coming weeks.
>> GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Seminar will start in the afternoon of the 14th, and it will end on the 19th just before lunchtime. The main language of the Seminar is English.
>> REGISTRATION FEES:
250€ — Portugal residents and People from the Global South
330€ — International participants
220€ — Odemira residents / Portugal-based students / Members of Apordoc or MUTIM – Mulheres Trabalhadoras das Imagens em Movimento
from 350€ — Supportive contribution, in order to make viable the discounted rates
>> Please complete your registration through this link.
Update: Thank you for the overwhelming interest in this year’s seminar. Registration is now closed as we’ve reached full capacity.
The registration fee includes all meals (except breakfast) and access to all the screenings, activities and debates. Places are limited and will be filled in order of registration.
Cancellation of participation by October 15 will result in a 50% refund of the fee. Please note that after October 15, no refunds will be issued.
>> PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
Accommodation
Due to limited availability onsite, we highly suggest you book accommodation before you proceed with the Seminar registration. Whatsapp group chats for sharing accommodation with other participants will be available in the registration form.
You can see some of our suggestions of accommodation in Odemira and São Luís here. We advise you to contact the hotels or guesthouses directly by email or telephone, in order to avoid online booking platforms.
Shuttle service
There will be a shuttle service available for participants staying outside of Odemira, operating on set schedules at the beginning and end of the day. However, we encourage participants to bring their own vehicles for greater flexibility.
If you or your group will be staying outside of Odemira and don’t have access to a car, please be sure to contact our team in advance so we can try to arrange daily shuttle service in a timely manner for everyone who needs it.
Meals
For this edition, we will offer vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian meal options, provided by a local catering service. As the Seminar approaches, we will get in touch with you to coordinate meal preferences.
>> TRAVEL TO ODEMIRA:
The best public transportation to get to the centre of Odemira is by bus.
A group chat for organising shared rides can be found in the form.
From Lisbon
REDE EXPRESSOS bus (12 to 15€ – buy in advance online)
Departure: 7.30am (Sete Rios) or 9am (Aeroporto)
Arrival: 11.10am or 4.45pm Odemira
From Beja
RODOVIÁRIA DO ALENTEJO bus (buy ticket on board)
Departure: 4.10pm Beja Bus Terminal (Monday to Friday)
Arrival: 6.30pm Odemira
From Faro
REDE EXPRESSOS bus (€15 – buy in advance online)
Departure: 9.30am Faro
Arrival: 4.45pm Odemira
* 2 transfers
From Porto
REDE EXPRESSOS bus (€16 to 40 – buy in advance online)
Departure: 11am Porto Campanhã
Arrival: 6.15pm Odemira
>> After reading carefully all the information presented here, if you have any further questions, please contact our team at hospitality@docskingdom.org