The ninth edition of the 16mm Immersive Laboratory at Casa do Xisto marked the return of its collaboration with Barlos, reinforcing the project’s commitment to the territory and to building sustained relationships with the local community of Barcelos.

Continuing this partnership, the films produced during the laboratory were publicly presented as part of the Barlos 2025 event, fostering a moment of encounter between artists, local residents and audiences from diverse contexts. The screening brought together a varied audience, reflecting the project’s ability to engage different generations and profiles around experimental and analogue cinema.

This edition further consolidated the community dimension of Casa do Xisto, affirming it as a space for creation and exchange that connects contemporary artistic practices with the local cultural fabric, actively contributing to the cultural vitality of the region.

The laboratory brought together nine participants selected through an open call, coming from diverse locations including Los Angeles, Romania, and several regions in Portugal such as Lisbon, Trás-os-Montes, Porto, Viseu and the surrounding villages of the Barcelos municipality. The residency resulted in eighteen short films with open themes, often shaped by the natural and territorial context of the project. Nine black and white films were developed using caffenol under the guidance of Ricardo Leite, while nine colour films, shot on Kodak Ektachrome, were processed using traditional chemical methods led by Steve Cossman.