Lisa Portolan Slow Love Podcast Co-host Film Event -

Attendees at her previous live events have described the atmosphere as “a book club for the heart,” with some forming lasting friendships (and, on occasion, romances) in the post-screening discussions. The upcoming [Insert Date] event at [Insert Venue] promises to be the most ambitious yet. Portolan and her co-host have selected a film that challenges the typical “happily ever after” narrative, opting instead for a story about long-term commitment, forgiveness, or the quiet moments that define a partnership.

Portolan is set to co-host , a curated film event that promises to do for movie-going what her podcast does for relationships—slow it down, savour it, and unpack the emotional layers. The Intersection of Film and Feeling For Portolan, moving from podcasting to live film hosting is a natural evolution. The Slow Love podcast often uses cultural artefacts—books, TV shows, and yes, movies—as case studies for how we learn to love. lisa portolan slow love podcast co-host film event

“We’re not promising you’ll find your soulmate in the audience,” she says with a smile. “But we are promising you’ll leave feeling a little less alone in how you love.” As dating culture becomes increasingly gamified, events like Portolan’s film night serve as a quiet resistance. They remind us that love stories—both on screen and off—are not products to be optimised but narratives to be lived. Attendees at her previous live events have described

“Cinema has always been our collective dreamscape for romance,” Portolan explains. “From the grand gestures of classic Hollywood to the messy realism of indie dramas, films shape our expectations of love. But we often consume them passively. This event is about watching actively .” Portolan is set to co-host , a curated

The event, which Portolan will co-host alongside , is designed not as a standard screening, but as a dialogue. The format typically involves a short introduction setting the thematic stage, a screening of a carefully chosen film known for its nuanced portrayal of connection (past selections in the Slow Love universe have included Past Lives , Before Sunrise , or Aftersun ), followed by a guided audience discussion. From Swipe Fatigue to Slow Cinema Portolan’s work is a direct response to what she calls “swipe fatigue”—the burnout associated with dating apps and fast-capitalist romance. Her co-hosting style at film events mirrors her podcast ethos: creating a safe container for vulnerability.

“At a typical film event, the credits roll and everyone rushes out, often without processing what they just felt,” she says. “We want to hold that space. We ask questions like: What did that character’s hesitation tell us about trust? How did the pacing of the relationship on screen make you feel in your body? ”