Documentary · Alentejo
A Volta do Elefante
A documentary on a pioneering sanctuary.
Following elephants rescued from circuses and zoos across Europe to open land in the Alentejo, directed by David Novack.
The project
A Volta do Elefante is a cinematic documentary feature and series following the creation of the Pangea Elephant Sanctuary in the Alentejo, and the rescue and relocation of elephants from circuses and zoos across Europe. It follows these animals from lives of captivity and performance to open land in southern Portugal, and, in doing so, tells a larger story about what care, refuge and second chances can look like.
Why it matters
Sanctuary, recovery, transformation.
A Volta do Elefante gives international visibility to a pioneering Portuguese sanctuary and to the Alentejo landscape that hosts it.
It makes the case, on screen and without sermonising, for a more humane relationship between people and animals, and positions Portugal's interior as a setting for stories of global resonance.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker David Novack and produced by Odessa Films, it brings an international documentary sensibility to a story rooted in the Alentejo, blending careful observation with a clear environmental and ethical message.
The film
From captivity to open land.
Feature and series
A cinematic documentary feature and a documentary series.
The rescue
Elephants relocated from circuses and zoos across Europe to the sanctuary.
Julie
The last circus elephant in captivity in Portugal, at the sanctuary since July 2026.
Inspiration
Thematically inspired by José Saramago's A Viagem do Elefante.
Photos: Wade Million, Pangea Trust.
Framework
Portugal's Donation Golden Visa (legally, the ARI Cultural route)
Project status
Approved by the Ministry of Culture.
Eligibility
All non-EU citizens.
Donor benefits
Project-specific benefits, shared in donor calls.
The partnership
Who is building A Volta do Elefante.
Promoter
Fundação Alentejo
Public-utility foundation in Évora since 1999.
Producer
Odessa Films
David Novack's company, New York and Lisbon; director of All Static & Noise.
Sanctuary
Pangea Trust
The charity that created and runs the Pangea Elephant Sanctuary.
Cultural Co-Producer
Cascais Ventures
The leading cultural creation agency in Portugal.
Who we are
Cascais Ventures creates and produces the government-approved cultural projects behind Portugal's Donation Golden Visa: heritage rehabilitation, film and documentary, artistic programmes.