Welcome to Lisbon, your first stop on the DocNomads^PLUS journey.

The city has long been a place of crossing paths—cultures, generations, and perspectives—and this richness is reflected in its people.

Lisbon offers a unique blend of tradition, modernity, and cinematic potential providing an inspiring backdrop for students to begin exploring the real through film.

It reveals itself slowly and often unexpectedly—through a long conversation in a café, a long walk through its streets, or the everyday rituals in a neighbourhood square.

The local culture values conversation, good food, and connection. But what makes Lisbon especially meaningful for you as a documentary student is the way the city invites you to observe deeply and film with intention.

Wander its hills and you'll notice the quiet poetry of daily life—often in overlooked corners. Lisbon is a city that rewards observation, patience, and curiosity—the very qualities at the heart of the documentary process.

Let yourself get lost in its neighbourhoods, talk to people, watch, listen, and take notes. You’ll find your film ideas often start with something small: a chance encounter, a question, a sound, a gesture. And from there, they grow. Stories that unfold through close observation and human connection.

But Lisbon isn’t just a setting. You’ll find a quietly thriving creative community, independent cinemas, vibrant festivals, and a welcoming culture that values artistic expression. And the open waters of Tagus River and the Atlantic coast are never far if you need a reset between activities in the course.

So, bring your curiosity, and an open mind.

Lusófona University is Portugal’s largest private university and a recognized leader in higher education for the creative industries. With a strong focus on film, media, and the arts, Lusófona has built a solid reputation for delivering innovative and internationally oriented programmes offering an immersive cultural and filmmaking experience in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities.

One of the university’s flagship international initiatives is its role as a founding partner of the DocNomads programme launched in 2012.

As the entry point of the DocNomads^PLUS Joint Master in Documentary Filmmaking, Lusófona University hosts the first semester of the programme. Here, students from all over the world begin their journey into documentary filmmaking, where they are immersed in a comprehensive curriculum that blends practice-based learning with critical reflection on documentary cinema fostering a collaborative environment that encourages experimentation and cross-cultural dialogue.

Lusófona has extensive experience in coordinating and hosting international and European master’s programmes in film and media, supported by Erasmus+, Creative Europe, and Horizon Europe frameworks.

Lusófona is also the leading institution and founder of FilmEU – The European University for Film and Media Arts, a transnational alliance of top European film schools. FilmEU aims to establish a long-term integrated structure for education, research, and innovation in the creative and cultural industries.