As a window into the life of Senhor Jorge Cunha, a pigeon fancier from Lisbon, director George Daniell captures a routine unchanged by time for short film O Jogo dos Pombos (The Pigeon Game). In the Portuguese capital – a city rapidly being swallowed by gentrification and tourism – Jorge continues a historic occupation fading to modernity, following the same practice daily out of dedication to training and caring for his pigeons.

Working from a studio in Lisbon, next to the home Jorge shares with his wife, and the loft that houses his pigeons, Daniell witnessed Jorge’s routine unfold like clockwork, rising early to clean the loft and fly the pigeons. Fascinated to learn more about his trade, they formed a friendship and connected over the ancient practice of Colombofilia – or pigeon racing – which soon developed into the foundations of the film