Short film ‘Submerso’ from the Film and Television Production Course screened at the Um Filme em Cada Esquina festival – UFECE

The short film Submerso, developed as part of the Film and Television Production Course 23|25, was selected to be included in the programme of the Um Filme em Cada Esquina (UFECE) International Film Festival, which takes place in Sintra. Directed by graduate Catarina Silva, this is her first short film and marks a significant moment in her academic and creative career.

A short drama film about loss and transformation

Submerso is a short drama film that follows Joaquim, a fisherman who loses his son in a storm at sea while they were fishing. From that moment on, he is confronted with the deep pain of loss and a feeling of guilt that haunts him.

The film focuses on the emotional transformation of the protagonist, exploring the despair, silence and internal dilemmas that come to define his life. The narrative is constructed through his reactions, his behaviour and the way in which tragedy alters his relationship with the people around him.

Based on a story about the loss of a family member, the project seeks to bring to the surface issues related to grief, family trauma, and mental health. It also reflects on the weight of traditions and social and cultural norms that often shape behaviour and perpetuate silence across generations.

Watch the trailer for the short film Submerso

Filming on Ilha do Farol

This short film was shot on Ilha do Farol, in Faro, in a context that demanded a high sense of responsibility and organisation from the team, as they only had four days to complete the shoot.

Transporting all the necessary technical equipment to the island required rigorous planning and careful logistics. In an environment marked by the constant presence of sand and water, which could seriously compromise the equipment, it was essential to ensure the safety and preservation of all the material.

Thanks to teamwork, technical preparation, and professionalism, the recording process was successfully completed.

Teamwork in the Film and Television Production Course

In addition to being Catarina Silva’s first short film, Submerso is also the result of the collective efforts of her colleagues from the Film and Television Production Course, who performed various roles throughout this project.

Production, cinematography, sound, production assistance and other technical areas were handled by the students themselves, putting into practice the knowledge they acquired throughout the course.

This project demonstrates not only individual talent, but also organisational skills, team spirit and technical application in a real production context. It is precisely this practical learning that distinguishes the Film and Television Production Course and prepares graduates for the challenges of the audiovisual industry.

“Seeing Submerso included in the UFECE Film Festival programme is a source of enormous pride for ETIC_Algarve. Catarina Silva and the entire Film and Television Production Course team demonstrated organisation, responsibility and technical maturity in a demanding context. This is the kind of experience that marks a career path and proves that, with practical learning, talent and teamwork, it is possible to transform training into real projects with impact.” – Nuno Ribeiro, Director of ETIC_Algarve

Watch the Making Of the Submerso recordings

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Submerged at the UFECE International Film Festival

The Um Filme em Cada Esquina (UFECE) International Film Festival is a project by RUGAS Associação Cultural, in partnership with Cidades Irrequietas Filmes, with funding from the Sintra Municipal Council.

The festival promotes the screening of national and international short films, encouraging reflection and discussion based on the audience’s experience. The aim is to stimulate contact with cinematography from different geographical areas and cultures, promoting dialogue through cinema.

The short film Submerso will be screened on 13 March at 9 p.m. in the Terrugem Assembly Hall in Sintra.