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Julian Schnabel’s new film In the Hand of Dante will open the second Tribeca Festival Lisboa in 2025. The event returns to the Portuguese capital from October 29 to November 1, bringing together an eclectic program of festival darlings, rising voices, and established icons from both sides of the Atlantic.
An Opening Night with a Dazzling Cast
In the Hand of Dante, which already turned heads at the Venice Film Festival, will serve as the festival’s curtain-raiser. It’s directed by Julian Schnabel and boasts a cast that reads like a dream for any film lover: Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Jason Momoa, Al Pacino, and yes, Martin Scorsese. Having Scorsese on screen — even if he’s not behind the camera — is always exciting. Julien here: this kind of lineup doesn’t just promise star power, it piques my curiosity about the film’s tone and ambition. Schnabel isn’t known for doing things halfway.
A Wide-Reaching Program
Tribeca Lisboa 2025 doesn’t settle for one big film. The rest of the lineup is just as enticing and diverse. Among the anticipated screenings:
- Bugonia, the latest from Yorgos Lanthimos — a name that now guarantees unsettling and thought-provoking cinema.
- Eleanor the Great, the directorial debut of Scarlett Johansson. I didn’t expect her to step behind the camera so soon, and I’m genuinely intrigued.
- Nuremberg, a historical drama from James Vanderbilt, likely to stir up conversation given its subject.
There’s something comforting and exciting about seeing familiar names trying new things. Johansson directing, for example — it could be the start of a whole new chapter for her. To read Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton face off in 2026’s Apex trailer
An International, Star-Studded Gathering
Tribeca Lisboa is also about conversation, and the guest list this year reflects that. Throughout the four days, the festival will welcome a range of personalities from cinema and television:
- Kim Cattrall
- Ava DuVernay
- Giancarlo Esposito
- Edie Falco
- Meg Ryan
- Daniela Ruah
- Joaquim de Almeida
- Albano Jeronimo
Bringing them together in Lisbon adds an international flavor to the event. And as someone who still remembers Falco’s intensity in The Sopranos and gets chills from Esposito’s roles in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, I can’t help but hope some of these sessions will be open to the public.
Dramas, Documentaries and Debuts
The rest of the program continues to mix established talent with surprising newcomers.
Some highlights include:
- Dreams by Michel Franco, a psychosexual thriller starring Jessica Chastain. Franco’s films often leave me unsettled in the best of ways.
- If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, a comedy directed by Mary Bronstein with Rose Byrne and Conan O’Brien. The title alone has me smiling.
- Charliebird by Libby Ewing.
- Are We Good?, a documentary by Steven Feinartz featuring Marc Maron. I’ve always found Maron’s vulnerability compelling — seeing that on a big screen could be powerful.
- The Best You Can, a dramedy from Michael J. Weithorn with Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick.
Also worth noting are two imaginative debuts: To read Ranking Shyamalan’s Hits: Which Film Defines His Legacy?
- All We Cannot See by Alberto Arvelo, a road movie.
- Honeyjoon by Lilian T. Mehrel, a feature shot in Portugal and starring Amira Casar and José Condessa. It’s always exciting when local talent meets international curiosity.
Spotlight on Portuguese Cinema
Tribeca Lisboa isn’t just about bringing Hollywood to Portugal — it’s also about giving space to local voices. This year’s selection of Portuguese films confirms that mission.
Three titles to watch:
- Match by Duarte Neves.
- A Memória do Cheiro das Coisas by Antonio Ferreira.
- Além do Horizonte – A Travessia, a family epic from Fernando Vendrell with a strong local cast including Gonçalo Waddington and Júlia Palha.
I often find that festivals like this are where I discover the stories I didn’t know I needed. There’s something special about watching a film set close to home yet told with a fresh perspective.
Cultural Diplomacy Through Cinema
Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of Tribeca Enterprises, summed up the festival’s intention beautifully: “At a time when the world can feel increasingly divided, storytelling has the power to connect us across cultures, geographies, and generations.” She’s absolutely right. Tribeca Lisboa, beyond its screenings, is also doing cultural groundwork — personal stories delivered to an international stage.
The event is organized hand-in-hand with the city of Lisbon, broadcaster SIC, and Opto, the local streaming platform. After the success of last year’s inaugural edition, this second year feels like a confident step forward. As someone who believes deeply in cinema’s power to create bridges, this kind of initiative is more than welcome.
