The 'Monstra' Film Festival in Lisbon, established in the early 21st century, is now the most-attended film festival in Portugal, screening around 400 films annually from over 3000 submissions. Each year, the festival selects a 'focus country' to spotlight, and organizers have affirmed Latvia's status as the focus country for the 2026 festival, long before the premiere of well-known Latvian animator Ginta Zilbalodis' film 'Straume' at the Cannes Film Festival.

Latvian animation is characterized at the festival by a strong sense of artistic freedom, a broad spectrum of animation techniques, and a dominance of author-driven cinema. This growing recognition suggests a broader interest in the uniqueness and creativity present in the works of Latvian filmmakers, especially in the realm of animation.

At the festival's opening ceremony on March 12, two notable short films from acclaimed Latvian directors were featured: Anete Melece's 'Kiosks' (2013) and Vladimir Leščov's 'Spārni un airi' (2007). Both directors are also involved in various jury panels for the festival, further establishing Latvian talent in the international animation landscape.