Teresa Castilho, LISFF 2026, Short Screenplay Finalist

- Can you please tell us about you and your daily life?

I work as human rights specialist, and this allowed me to live in many countries, and it exposed me to many different cultural influences. This perspective strongly shapes the way I approach storytelling so that it is fundamentally social and people centred but told through a poetic tone. Living in conflict and marginalised settings gave me an admiration for the resilience of people in everyday life and how the smallest routines, habits can reflect their strength and courage.

- When and how did you get into writing/filmmaking?

I started writing early, initially due to my passion for reading, then through poetry and fiction and later through more reflective and visual forms. Scriptwriting came from a desire to bring people closer by perceiving their similarities beyond the place they belong to and to share realities that are often invisible or oversimplified. My writing is rooted in that intention—to create narratives that are accessible, human centred but also emotionally layered and honest.

- How often do you write/create/develop ideas? Do you have a creative routine? What inspires you?

I try to write daily, but that is not always possible or is a linear process. Some days I end up drafting a bit, other days are about capturing observations, taking notes, or refining ideas. I don’t follow a strict routine, but I do appreciate having time to write as often as possible. What inspires me most is the diversity of human experience—especially in moments of contradiction, conflict, or uncertainty. It is particularly captivating to me the resilience that people have while navigating through hardship, insecurity and discrimination and how it shapes their lives, it is in small decisions that broader dynamics are reflected.

- What’s the best and most challenging thing about writing/filmmaking in your form?

The best part is to explore possibilities, to tell stories that don’t offer easy answers, and can be tackled by different perspectives opening space for reflection. It is also to play with language and images and built metaphors that reflect ideas, mood states.

The most challenging part is exactly that as well. There is always a tension between making a story accessible, keeping it empathic and maintaining its depth. Finding that balance—between simplicity, emotions and nuanced reflections—is an ongoing process.

- How did you develop the idea for your LISFF/LISP-selected work? Is there a story behind it?

It was not a single moment of inspiration, but rather an ongoing process that took shape over time. It was initially triggered by a specific moment while crossing a border in the Democratic Republic of Congo. What struck me was the coexistence of multiple, almost conflicting realities unfolding at once. The intensity of those contrasts, and the number of stories concentrated in that one space, made me realise how a single place can hold so much meaning. It felt deeply metaphorical, and that moment stayed with me, gradually evolving into the foundation of the work.

- Lastly, do you recommend writers/filmmakers submit to LISP/LISFF?

Yes, I would. Festivals like LISP/LISFF provide a platform for emerging and independent voices, and they contribute to building a diverse creative community. Even beyond selection, the process of submitting, refining your work, and engaging with festival contexts can be very valuable. And the opportunity to connect in person at the venue and meet other writers and filmmakers is what I most appreciate. Writing can be an isolated activity but is through connection with others that we get to expand and explore.