The third edition of the 16mm Immersive Laboratory at Casa do Xisto took place in July 2023, continuing the experimental approach initiated in previous editions, centred on film-based cinematic creation and a direct engagement with the surrounding territory. The laboratory was led by Steve Cossman (MONO NO AWARE, New York) and Ricardo Leite, with the participation of Emma Penrose and Zack Shorrosh. This edition further reinforced the project’s laboratory and sensory dimension, with a particular focus on artisanal processing and eco-development practices developed by Ricardo Leite as part of his “Alchemy of Cinema” approach, which prioritises the use of natural and biodegradable elements.

Bringing together an international group of artists and filmmakers, the laboratory fostered an intensive space for experimentation, exchange and collective creation on 16mm film. Similarly to the first edition, the films developed explored analogue processes of shooting and processing, deeply informed by the natural environment of Casa do Xisto.

The residency culminated in a public screening at Casa do Xisto which, for the first time, featured the presence of Curtas Vila do Conde – International Film Festival. This unprecedented collaboration brought the festival into the context of the residency, integrating the films produced in the laboratory into its official programme and strengthening the connection between artistic creation, territory and the international film circuit. During this edition, the initiative was also visited by the newspaper Público, which produced a feature on the project, contributing to its visibility and recognition within the contemporary cultural landscape.