Setúbal in Cinema
The final scene of a Bond film was shot on the mountain roads of Arrábida; Roman Polanski filmed “The Ninth Gate” at Portinho da Arrábida. For 30 years Setúbal hosted the Festróia international film festival and its Golden Dolphin award. Today the city is reviving its cinema culture through new festivals and municipal programmes.
International films
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
The James Bond film directed by Peter Hunt was partly shot in the Setúbal District:
- Serra da Arrábida — the final scene with Tracy’s death on a mountain road overlooking the ocean
- Herdade do Zambujal (south-east of Lisbon, east of Setúbal) — Draco’s house, the birthday and wedding scenes
The Portuguese scenes were filmed in April–May 1969.
The Ninth Gate (1999)
Roman Polanski’s thriller starring Johnny Depp was filmed at Portinho da Arrábida and at Cabo Espichel (Sesimbra), as well as in Sintra. Filming took place in the summer of 1998.
Fast X (2023)
Filmed in Lisbon, Almada (Setúbal District), Vila Real and Viseu between April and August 2022.
Portuguese television
Da Mood (2024)
An RTP1 series, premiered 4 June 2024. 8 episodes of ~45 minutes each. Written by Henrique Dias, directed by Sérgio Graciano. Shot in Setúbal’s historic centre with panoramic views of the River Sado and Arrábida. A preview screening took place in Setúbal on 30 May 2024.
Film festivals
Festróia (1985–2014)
The Festival Internacional de Cinema de Tróia — an international film festival that ran for 30 years. Named after the Tróia peninsula, where it was held until 1993 before moving to Setúbal. Focus: art-house cinema from small national film industries (countries producing fewer than 30 films per year). Main prize: the Golfinho de Ouro (“Golden Dolphin”). Closed in 2015 due to funding cuts.
CLIT — Cinema em Locais Inusitados e Temporários
A festival of “Cinema in Unusual and Temporary Places”, organised by Associação Cultural Festroia with municipal support. Audiences find the screening locations via clues posted on social media. Venues: Casa da Baía, Capricho Setubalense, Auditório Bocage, IPS.
Film Fest — Festival de Cinema Musicado ao Vivo
A festival of silent films with live musical accompaniment. 7th edition: 30 October – 9 November 2025. Venues: Fórum Municipal Luísa Todi, Cinema Charlot. Children’s workshops and free screenings.
Finisterra Arrábida Film Art & Tourism Festival
An international tourism and documentary film festival in Palmela and Sesimbra. Organised by the Arrábida Film Commission. 12th edition (2024): 103 promotional films from 25 countries. Its goal: to promote the region as a filming destination.
Film commission
The Arrábida Film Commission, linked to the Finisterra festival, works to attract directors and producers to the region. The Portugal Film Commission (PFC), part of the Film Institute (ICA), coordinates the connection between regional film commissions and the international industry.
The municipality runs “Festival do Bairro — Cinema na Rua”: open-air screenings in city neighbourhoods with residents, actors and film professionals.
Documentaries and archives
- RTP Arquivos — archival footage of Setúbal: the fishing harbour, sardine landings, street life, factories
- “Portugal Tem Lata” (RTP) — a documentary series about Portugal’s canning industry
- “Cabo Espichel: Em Terras de Um Mundo Perdido” — a documentary about Cabo Espichel, recognised at an international film festival
- Can the Can — a digital museum project on the tangible and intangible heritage of the canning industry
Cinemas
| Cinema | Feature |
|---|---|
| Cinema City Alegro Setúbal | 9 screens, ~1,300 seats, multiplex |
| Cinema Charlot — Auditório Municipal | Art-house and Portuguese cinema (since 2000, Medeia Filmes programming from 2006) |
| Cineteatro Municipal João Mota (Sesimbra) | 1 screen, art-house and documentary cinema |
The municipality organised a free cycle called “A História Resumida do Cinema Português em 22 Filmes” — screenings of 22 key Portuguese films from the silent era to contemporary productions.
See also
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