A free, open-air celebration of Portuguese cinema is coming to St Helier this month as part of a wider community project celebrating Jersey’s Portuguese heritage.

Film Luso – organised by Project Luso leader Sasha Gibb, in partnership with the Jersey Community Relations Trust and community partners – will feature a series of short films screened at Romerils car park in Hue Street, the site of the former “Pop-up Perch” public realm project.

There are two programmes, each containing six short films – one for young children and families and another for a more general audience.

All the films are accessible for viewers, with Portuguese audio and English subtitles.

The screenings form part of the 13th Parish Film Festival running from 18 to 24 May.

There will also be an indoor showing at the Central Library with a further family screening taking place during September’s Festival of Words at Millennium Town Park on 26 September.

The initiative follows wider community research commissioned by JCRT, which involved more than 250 conversations with members of Jersey’s Portuguese and Madeiran communities, including school pupils, elderly residents, prison inmates, young people and professionals.

Portuguese short film agency Agência da Curta Metragem has curated the programme and will travel to Jersey to introduce the films as well as work with students at Haute Vallée School.

Miguel Dias, director of the Portuguese Short Film Agency and of Curtas Vila do Conde International Film Festival, said: “The world of Portuguese short film is creative, varied and full of surprises; it’s really a very important art form in Portugal.

“We are delighted to guest curate Film Luso in Jersey this year, it seems a very special offering for the large Portuguese diaspora in Jersey.

“We think they will love this selection of films made to entertain, enlighten and amuse.”

The screenings are intended to be informal and accessible, with audiences invited to bring blankets or chairs and stay for a single short film or the entire evening on Wednesday 20 May.

The kids screening will take place in the Central Library on Saturday 23 May.

Portuguese food including cod croquettes and pastel de natas will also be available while supplies last.

Úna Langlois, co-director of the 13th Parish Jersey International Film Festival, said: “It has been a joy working with Film Luso and collaborating with our dear friends in the Agência to prepare this very special event.

“Outdoor screenings are, by their nature, really unique and for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to seeing everyone at Romerils carpark on the 20th, and again at the Library on the 23rd May.”

The project has also attracted backing from local businesses supporting the initiative’s focus on inclusion and cultural celebration, including Carey Olsen and Geomarine.

James Mulholland, partner at Carey Olsen: “Carey Olsen is proud to support Project Luso and the Jersey Community Relations Trust in celebrating Portuguese culture and community in Jersey.

“The research behind this project highlights the rich contributions of the Portuguese community, and Film Luso is a wonderful way to share these stories with a wider audience.

“By supporting inclusive, accessible events such as this, we hope to play a small part in connecting cultures and celebrating diversity within our island.”

Phil Horsley, managing director at Geomarine, added: “As lovers of what we know of Portuguese culture (food, family and festivals) from our team, we are keen to see another strand we know nothing of short film.

“All of us at Geomarine jumped at the chance to be involved with Film Luso, to work with Agência and to share with students at Haute Valle school.”