I am Here (Estou Aqui)

A temporary refuge becomes a community in a city pushed to the limit

In 2020, as the COVID 19 pandemic exposes deep social fractures, Lisbon faces an urgent humanitarian challenge. The city’s largest sports centre is repurposed into an emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness, turning a space designed for competition into one of survival and care. Within this improvised setting, a temporary and self organised community begins to emerge.

The project is guided by Teresa, the shelter’s director, whose role is not only administrative but deeply human. Under her coordination, residents participate in shaping daily life, restoring a culture of mutual support and shared responsibility that stands in sharp contrast to the indifference surrounding them. Outside the shelter, the neighbourhood reacts with suspicion and scorn, reflecting a society under strain and on the edge of collapse.

At the heart of the film are Tiago and Plácido, two close friends whose bond provides emotional grounding amid uncertainty. Through their everyday experiences, the documentary observes the tensions, conflicts, and small victories that define life inside the shelter. Their journey captures both the fragility of their situation and their persistent hope for a new beginning.

I am here documents how, even in extreme circumstances, solidarity can re emerge. The film offers an intimate portrait of resilience, giving voice to people often rendered invisible, and questioning how societies choose to care for their most vulnerable members in times of crisis.