BLACK LIMBO by Lorenzo Benitez | Spain | 2024 | 75'
Seville European Film Festival, 2024, National Premiere
In the shadows of Spain’s colonial history, Black Limbo unravels the mysterious disappearance of Acacio Mañe, a key figure in the independence movement of Spanish Guinea. Through six years of meticulous research, this poignant film exposes the lingering impunity of Spanish decolonization and confronts a hidden chapter of democratic memory, shedding light on a silenced struggle for justice and freedom.
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Seville European Film Festival, 2024, National Premiere
In the shadows of Spain’s colonial history, Black Limbo unravels the mysterious disappearance of Acacio Mañe, a key figure in the independence movement of Spanish Guinea. Through six years of meticulous research, this poignant film exposes the lingering impunity of Spanish decolonization and confronts a hidden chapter of democratic memory, shedding light on a silenced struggle for justice and freedom.
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MARTIN POLLACK: LOOKING INTO THE ABYSS by Jaro Vojtek | Slovakia | 2024 | 60'
Jeden svet Bratislava Film Festival, 2024, National Premiere
What does it mean to be the son of a Nazi war criminal? Austrian journalist Martin Pollack grapples with this question in his book, *The Dead Man in the Bunker*, where he delves into the dark history of his father, Gerhard Bast, who committed atrocities in Slovakia during WWII. In a powerful continuation of this reckoning, Pollack's translator, Michal Hvorecký, retraces Bast’s footsteps, visiting the sites and speaking to those who can bear witness to Slovakia’s harrowing wartime past. Together, they confront the lingering shadows of history, exploring the burden of inherited guilt and the struggle to reconcile with a painful legacy.
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FOOTBALLS by Bruno Badain & Luiz Ferraz | Brazil | 2024 | 71'
World Premiere available
Footballs provides a socio-political examination of the diverse relationships fostered by football in Brazil. Whether in the Quilombo da Conceição in the hinterlands of Pernambuco, on the outskirts of Santo André, or in the amateur football leagues of São Paulo's East Zone, the game of football remains a constant presence. Despite challenges such as muddy floodplains, racism, and infrastructural difficulties, football perseveres, serving as a catalyst for community development. In fact, these obstacles inspire changes in laws and public policies. It's evident that football transcends mere sport—it symbolizes resilience and drives societal transformation.
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THE RETURN OF MACISTE by Maurizio Sciarra | Italy | 2024 | 80'
World Premiere Available
In the present day, legendary silent film strongman Maciste steps off the screen during a screening of Pastrone's "Cabiria," organized by film critic Steve Della Casa. Together, they embark on a journey through history, uncovering Maciste's true identity as Bartolomeo Pagano, a Genoese dockworker whose life was forever changed by a chance encounter with director Giovanni Pastrone.
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THE AGE OF WATER by Isabel Alcántara Atalaya & Alfredo Alcántara | USA | 2024 | 76'
Morelia International Film Festival, 2024, World Premiere
In rural Mexico, a community mourns as three young girls die of leukemia within a year. Local women, led by a teacher and a mother, push for answers and, with help from a hydrogeologist, uncover the cause: industrial farms have drained the aquifers, leaving radioactive contamination in the drinking water at 300% over safe limits.
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RAVE ON FOR THE AVON by Charlotte Sawyer | UK | 2024 | 85'
Wildscreen Festival, 2024, National Premiere
Do humans have a right to clean, natural spaces? This film follows a spirited community of wild swimmers in Bristol, UK, as they grapple with the impact of raw sewage in the River Avon. With England’s privatized water system leaving only 14% of rivers ecologically sound, these swimmers take a stand, creating a powerful, often humorous movement to protect the waterways they cherish. From an unforgettable wedding and lively drum ‘n’ bass gatherings to a symbolic inflatable protest, this inspiring film celebrates everyday people rallying for nature—and reminds us all why grassroots activism matters.
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AT THE END (In Ultimo) by Mario Balsamo | Italy | 2024 | 75'
Torino Film Festival, 2024, National Premiere
In 1997, Claudio, a former surgeon, recognized the neglect many patients face after unsuccessful surgeries. Moved by this, he established a palliative care center in Turin, where he now leads a hospice dedicated to providing compassionate care. Claudio offers spiritual guidance, helping patients navigate the emotional and physical challenges of serious illness and the reality of approaching death. His work focuses on easing suffering and providing comfort, ensuring that patients are supported not only medically but also emotionally and spiritually in their final journey.
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DON'T FORGET TO REMEMBER by Ross Killeen in collaboration with the artist, Asbestos | Ireland | 2024 | 77'
Dublin International Film Festival, 2024, National Premiere
A deeply moving film that explores memory, love, and resilience in the face of Alzheimer’s. Renowned artist Asbestos invites viewers into an intimate journey through his mother’s experience with advancing Alzheimer’s, capturing both the heartbreak of memory’s fragility and the enduring beauty of family bonds.
Through stunning visuals and powerful storytelling, Don’t Forget to Remember celebrates the moments that shape us, reminding us that love and connection live on, even as memory fades. This film offers a hopeful perspective on loss, revealing that through shared memories, a loved one is never truly gone.
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SAVAGE BEAUTY by Janne Tanskanen | Finland | 2024 | 57'
Galway Film Fleadh, 2024, World Premiere
Underdog Finnish artist Kari Kola attempts the impossible by creating the world’s largest light installation on a rugged Irish mountain. This documentary captures his journey, turning Oscar Wilde's inspiration into reality, while overcoming personal challenges and defying limits to achieve a breathtaking spectacle.
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SENDA INDIA by Daniela Seggiaro | Argentina | 2024 | 79'
Festival des 3 Continents, 2024, World Premiere
During the 1990s, the Wichí community in Gral. Mosconi, Argentina, engaged in a legal battle to establish their territorial ownership. The documentary draws upon community-produced films and testimonies from that era, shedding light on this multifaceted journey. Beyond the legal dimensions, the Wichí of Misión Tolaba intricately weave their ancient concepts of belonging to nature into the narrative, illustrating how these beliefs underpin the mountain civilizations, providing sustenance and vitality. This film offers a unique window into their world, bridging legal struggles with profound connections to the natural environment.
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SENDA INDIA by Daniela Seggiaro | Argentina | 2024 | 79'
Festival des 3 Continents, 2024, World Premiere
During the 1990s, the Wichí community in Gral. Mosconi, Argentina, engaged in a legal battle to establish their territorial ownership. The documentary draws upon community-produced films and testimonies from that era, shedding light on this multifaceted journey. Beyond the legal dimensions, the Wichí of Misión Tolaba intricately weave their ancient concepts of belonging to nature into the narrative, illustrating how these beliefs underpin the mountain civilizations, providing sustenance and vitality. This film offers a unique window into their world, bridging legal struggles with profound connections to the natural environment.
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BREAKING THE CYCLE by Aekaphong Saransate & Thanakrit Duangmaneeporn | Thailand | 2024 | 116'
Hot Docs, 2024, World Premiere
Breaking The Cycle captures the political awakening among Thais after the rise and fall of Thanathorn, a young politician who calls to end the cycle of
coups d’etat. The film explores the 2019 election in Thailand, which marked the end of five years of full military rule and a new group of young politicians who campaign against an authoritarian constitution, sparking hope and a once-in-a-generation youth movement.
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DREAMS TRAVEL WITH THE WIND by Inti Jacanamijoy | Colombia | 2024 | 71'
Sheffield Doc Fest, 2024, International Premiere
An intimate journey of a Wayuu grandfather and grandson, revealing the profound connection between their language and indigenous community. Eschewing ethnographic or exoticist approaches, it tells a personal family story, delving into the layers of life, sleep, and death within their culture. Through its dream-like tone and haunting familial dialogue, the film captures the essence of an endangered community on the brink of oblivion, serving as a powerful testament to resilience against cultural erasure.
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A POEM FOR LITTLE PEOPLE by Ivan Sautkin | Ukraine, Lithuania, UK | 2024 | 86'
CPH:DOX, 2024, World Premiere
A cinéma vérité examination of the most vulnerable people on the front lines of the Russo-Ukrainian War and the brave volunteers risking everything to evacuate them to safety. The film weaves together two parallel narratives: one follows a volunteer evacuation team in Eastern Ukraine, led by the young and remarkably stoic volunteer, while the other depicts the wartime daily lives and surprising friendship of two elderly women who chose to remain in their homes in the now de-occupied Chernihiv region.
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THE TAKE BACK by Ricardo Martensen | Brazil | 2024 | 72'
It's all True International Film Festival, 2024, National Premiere
In the conflict-ridden Baixo Tapajós region between the Tapajós and Amazon rivers, local communities face the encroachment of agribusiness, mining, and illegal logging, causing deforestation and environmental pollution. Despite these challenges, traditional populations are uniting to reclaim their land and cultural identity. Amidst centuries of cultural suppression, they proudly embrace their indigenous heritage, fighting to revive beliefs, languages, and culture. "THE TAKE BACK" captures this resilient struggle, initiated in the early 21st century, enduring through the Bolsonaro government, and emerging stronger than ever.
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THE FIRST WOMEN by Adriana Yañez | Brazil | 2024 | 78'
Jeonju International Film Festival, 2024, International Premiere
This documentary unveils the lives of women in Rio de Janeiro's suburbs, nearing their 60s, who were the foundation of Brazil's first women's soccer team. Despite their global football journeys in the 80s and 90s with the national team, their stories remained untold, yielding minimal financial returns. Post-retirement, they navigate informal jobs like street vending, Uber driving, and coaching soccer in social projects. The film intimately explores their present-day routines, reflecting on unrealized dreams, memory, choices, and aging. Amidst their routine, their decades-long friendship shines through, challenging the neglect of these pioneering players in Brazil's football history.
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VIABLE by Ben Feldman | USA | 2024 | 45'
American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AmDocs), 2024, National Premiere
In the whirlwind of launching a TikTok ad agency, lively 25-year-olds Ted and Matt lease a Hollywood Hills house for 30 days to test their business's viability. Balancing employees, influencers, clients, and vibrant parties, running the company presents unforeseen challenges.
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PASSING THROUGH by Sarah Ingram | USA | 2024 | 92'
American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AmDocs), 2024, National Premiere
In the vast expanse of a deserted landscape, the town of Bombay Beach experiences a remarkable resurgence as a collective of artists descends upon its quiet streets. "Passing Through" narrates the compelling tale of this small community, which emerges from obscurity to confront the imminent environmental crisis surrounding the Salton Sea. Despite grappling with a relentless and unforgiving environment, the town becomes a symbol of resilience and ingenuity, leveraging the transformative force of art to draw attention to the ecological challenges at hand. Against all odds, "Passing Through" explores how the bonds of community breathe life into Bombay Beach, transforming it into an unexpected haven amid adversity.
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THE VILLAIN by Luis Ziembrowski & Gabriel Reches | Argentina | 2024 | 77'
Festival Cine de las Alturas, 2024, National Premiere
In "The Villain," follow the life of acclaimed actor Luis Ziembrowski, a dedicated family man who grapples with the unsettling paradox of being typecast as villains despite his genuine persona. As the documentary unfolds, we explore the roots of Luis's internal conflict, leading us to a poignant tale of familial abandonment and a father's perceived descent into criminality. Through interviews and behind-the-scenes glimpses, "The Villain" unravels the complex interplay between personal identity, societal perceptions, and the indelible impact of childhood trauma on the roles we inhabit in both reel and reality.
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LILI by Sylwia Rosak | POLAND | 2024 | 76'
Santa Barbara International Film Festival, 2024, World Premiere
Since her parents’ separation, Lili has been sharing her time between two homes. This is the story about an 8 year old girl bonding with his father whilst globetrotting, hitchhiking and learning to adapt to her new family situation. A father supporting her daughter to grow strong and independent and to show her the world.Their fearless journeys are an opportunity to tighten their bond. With a baby sister on the way Lili’s life is about to get even more exciting.
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FELIX, DARE TO DREAM by Morgan Bertacca | Italy | 2024 | 107'
Transilvania International Film Festival, 2024, World Premiere
Eclectic hobo artist, existentialist, beatnik, hippie and eventually freak, Felix Leu discovered tattooing as a resource to support his traveller life, but then he become an innovator.
Roaming the world, Felix and his wife Loretta (painter and tattooer) gave to their children: Filip (tattooer), Ama (model and fashion designer), Aia (painter), Ajja (musician), a fertile ground to grow up independently as artists. Felix challenged social rules proving that an unconventional alternative lifestyle it is still possible to have. Today he is no longer with us. Anyway, his spirit keep living trough the eccentric family that tells his story.
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HONG KONG MIX TAPE by SAN SAN F YOUNG | UK | 2023 | 86'
HOT DOCS, 2023, International Premiere
In *Hong Kong Mixtape*, director San San F. Young weaves a powerful narrative about creativity and resistance in the face of growing authoritarian control. As a sweeping national security law restricts words, images, slogans, and songs, Young shares her personal journey alongside those of Hong Kong's bold artists—rappers, stunt collectives, and more—who dare to defy the silence. Through their stories, the film captures the raw tension between self-expression and survival, exploring what it means to risk everything for art in a city caught in a battle for its soul.
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BIOCENTRICS by Fernanda Heinz Figueiredo & Ataliba Benaim | Brazil | 2023 | 108'
International Wildlife Film Festival, 2023, International Premiere
A documentary that delves into the intricate connections among all living organisms and underscores the critical need to preserve biodiversity. Featuring breathtaking visuals and insightful interviews with scientists and environmentalists, the film showcases the biomimicry design methodology and emphasizes the urgent necessity of adopting a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with nature.
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THE ABSOLUTION
by Juan Alfredo Amil | Spain | 2024 | 84'
MIRADASDOC, 2024, National Premiere
When filmmaker Juan Alfredo Amil is told by his doctors that his morbid obesity could put his life at risk; he only finds one way to combat his panic state: Make a film about it.
But the tension he feels arises old personal demons to surface, and what at first seemed to be a fable about the fear of death, will end up becoming the filmed testimony of how his personal life collapses in front of him. Soon, he realizes that he is not the hero of his own story... He might be the villain.
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MUD by Ilya Povolotsky | Russia | 2023 | 50'
IDFA International Film Festival, 2023, World Premiere
Amidst the backdrop of a historic spa in Russia, enveloped in soothing mud baths, a microcosm of normalcy exists despite the ongoing Ukraine invasion. The film navigates bureaucratic complexities and societal contrasts, weaving a surreal narrative where mud rituals serve as a metaphor for pacifying unrest, while meticulous surveillance suppresses dissent.
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PAINTING DHAKA by Lukas Zeilinger | Germany | 2023 | 91'
Human Rights Festival Berlin, 2023, National Premiere
The film immerses viewers in Bangladesh's slums, questioning perceptions tainted by corruption. From a graffiti workshop for underprivileged kids to unraveling societal challenges, the film exposes the intricate dynamics between a privileged elite and pervasive poverty. Bangladesh Railway symbolizes systemic issues. Exploring power struggles, the documentary showcases art's transformative impact, breaking free from constraints. A poignant narrative of resilience unfolds, challenging preconceptions and highlighting art's profound role in shaping a nation's story.
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WHAT'S TO BE DONE? by Goran Dević | Croatia | 2023 | 77'
Sarajevo International Film Festival, 2023, World Premiere
Zeljko, the head of the union at the Gredelj railway car factory, faces a profound personal and professional crisis after his deputy, Mladen, commits suicide following large public protests and internal union clashes. Torn between his guilt over Mladen's death and the workers' expectations, Zeljko must navigate the pressures to lead a strike against the government's EU-mandated plans to bankrupt the company. Filmed over the course of 11 years, 'What's to Be Done' provides an in-depth exploration of the turmoil of a man caught in the crossfire of loyalty, responsibility, and the fight for justice.
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THE LAST DAUGHTER by Brenda Matthews & Nathaniel Schmidt | Australia | 2023 | 87'
Santa Barbara International Film Festival, 2024, International Premiere
In 'The Last Daughter,' witness Brenda's poignant journey as she navigates the complex tapestry of her identity. Initially raised in a loving white foster family, her abrupt return to her Aboriginal roots leaves her torn between two worlds. Decades later, haunted by unresolved traumas, Brenda embarks on a quest to reconnect with her lost foster family, unraveling buried secrets, governmental deception, and the potential for profound familial and cultural ties. This compelling documentary delves into Brenda's inspiring pursuit of truth, offering a powerful exploration of her quest to reconcile the two halves of her family.
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WITH YOU, WITH YOU AND WITHOUT ME
by Amaya Villar | Spain | 2023 | 86'
Abycine Film Festival, 2023, National Premiere ~ Nominated Spanish Academy’s Goya® Awards 2024
A audiovisual love letter to future children, helps the filmmaker explore in-depth her life decisions. It becomes a powerful resource to heal old wounds, to understand empowerment and the painful learning about what a relationship should be in order to work for every individual.
A poignant and intimate statement, masterfully crafted with a diversity of techniques using animation and personal videos.
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CELLULOID UNDERGROUND by Ehsan Khoshbakht | UK | 2023 | 80'
Morelia International Film Festival, 2023, International Premiere
A powerful and immersive cinematic journey, offering a riveting portrait of post-revolutionary Iran. In the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution, a tenacious movie collector in Tehran becomes an unlikely hero as he undertakes the courageous mission of safeguarding thousands of films from the clutches of the new Islamic regime. Despite facing the grim specter of arrest and torture, he steadfastly guards his precious secret—a story of resistance and obsession, retold through the eyes of the boy who stood by his side. Recalled years later from exile in London, their extraordinary tale unfolds on the screen.
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NOWHERE IN THE WORLD by Vanina Lappa | Italy | 2023 | 82'
Festival dei Popoli, 2023, National Premiere - "Audience Award"
Transhumance was added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 2019. It has been practised on the Cilento mountain Cervati for millennia, and yet institutions seem to obstruct the work of shepherds who have been taking their livestock for the pastures since time immemorial. According to a new local bylaw, herders now have to pay a tax to take their livestock to the mountain, as they’ve done for ages. Exasperated by bureaucracy, shepherd Antonio seems to be able to communicate only with the animals and that luxuriant mountain that he has been going to since he was a baby, getting to know all its meanders. The film tells the story of a man who finds his place thanks to the relationship with his animals while men and their laws won’t allow him to. It also invites to reflect on how exploitation and profit systems cut the oxygen from the relationship between human beings, livestock, and land that could be a response to the climate crisis and more evolved forms of coexistence.
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CREATING PARADISE by David Baute | Spain | 2024 | 67'
World Premiere Available
`The ultimate goal of an architect is to create a paradise’, Alvar Aalto said.
After a trip to Finland in 1960, Vicente Saavedra (1937-2021) plans the construction of TenBel, a touristic area in the Canary Islands where he applied some of Aalto's principles. Nowadays TenBel is in complete decline.
The film repeats that journey to the Baltic country by the hand of poet Alejandro Krawietz, reflecting on the idea of 'dwelling' and looking for the 'paradise' meeting point between the North and the South of Europe.
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BURDEN
by Miguel Eek | Spain | 2023 | 65'
FIDBA, 2023, International Premiere
Thirteen men retreat to a country house where they undergo a personal and collective transformation in search of new ways of being men.
For three days they will live a tribal and cathartic experience, for which not all of them are prepared, where they confront their trauma and inner wrath, through physical and emotional dynamics that will put them to the test.
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HUMMINGBIRDS by Silvia Del Carmen Castaños & Estefanía Contreras | USA | 2023 | 78'
Berlinale, 2023, International Premiere / Grand Prix award
In Laredo, a city in southern Texas on the Mexican border, best friends Silvia and Beba know that the long summer nights of their youth cannot last forever. Their hang-out spots are so familiar but, stuck in an immigration process over which deportation hangs as a constant possibility, home still seems a fragile concept. Between bars, drive-thrus, friends’ couches and the borderlands, they confront the stresses of survival, the future, and community building. For them, this means protest action for legal abortion and against border control abuses, in a politically divided America. But the dusty half-light is also a time for poetry and dreams. Their laughter and creative expression cement a sense of solidarity and belonging in togetherness.
THE TRIAL
by Ulises de la Orden | Argentina, Norway, Italy and France| 2023 | 177'
Berlinale, 2023, World Premiere
1985, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The trial of the Military Juntas of the last dictatorship (1976/83), accused of crimes against humanity. As in Nuremberg after World War II, the trial is entirely recorded in U-matic tapes. For 90 days, the testimonies of the horror were heard and a final sentence: Never Again. The defenders and the political and ideological positions of those who supported the dictatorship. In the voice of the victims, the stories of torture and pain. Life and death in the same room. An archive of the past and a film that raises a starting point.
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ONLOOKERS by Kimi Takesue | USA | 2023 | 72'
Cinema du Reel, 2023, International Premiere
A visually striking, immersive meditation on travel and tourism in Laos, reflecting on how we all live as observers. Traversing the country's dusty roads and tranquil rivers, we watch as elaborate painterly tableaus unfold, revealing the whimsical and at times disruptive interweaving of locals and foreigners in rest and play. Drawn to spectacle, tourists swarm to magnificent Buddhist temples, the ordered rituals of monks, and sites of dazzling natural beauty, then recede like a passing tide, leaving Laotians to continue with their daily lives.
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THE PAVILION ON THE WATER
by Stefano Croci & Silvia Siberini | ITA, NL, UK | 2023 - 52'-77’
Biografilm, 2023, National Premiere
A cinematic journey into the world of Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa and his passion for Japanese culture. Japan, to him, was an inspirational universe but also the place where he eventually died in 1978, at the height of his career. A nostalgic feeling permeates the whole film. Nostalgia for that rare event which is the birth of an artist. Although he passed away, he left behind a great and beautiful body of work that, still to this day, delights and amuses.
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LA RICERCA
by Giuseppe Petruzzellis | ITA | 2023 - 62'
Visions du Reel, 2023, World Premiere
In a captivating exploration of humanity's essence, Luigi Lineri meticulously gathers and categorizes pebbles bearing uncanny resemblances to both human and animal figures, akin to enigmatic prehistoric sculptures. These stones serve as a gateway to probe the profound depths of human nature, evoking primal memories and prophetic foreshadowing of what lies ahead. Drawing upon mythological imagery, Lineri's art pays tribute to the ancestral struggles of early humans, molding our present existence. This collective journey traverses time, symbols, art, ecology, and technological advancement, forming an existential quest that unites us in the shared tapestry of human experience.
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ROWDY GIRL
by Jason Goldman | USA | 2023 | 72'
HOT DOCS, 2023, World Premiere
Unable to come to terms with the cruel reality of animal agriculture, a former Texas cattle rancher goes vegan and transforms her husband's beef operation into a farmed animal sanctuary. When their story goes viral, she realizes her true calling: to help farmers transition to plant-based and end their business of animal agriculture. "Rowdy Girl" showcases the inspiring work of an animal activist who has been on both sides and proves that there is a common ground between farmers and vegans - a shared mission of compassion and sustainability.
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REMEMBER MY NAME
by Elena Molina | SPAIN | 2023 | 76'
Malaga International Film Festival, 2023, National Premiere
After crossing the Melilla fence from Morocco, Ihsane enters the “Divina Infantita” nuns’ reception centre for girls, where Assia, Mounia and Nuhaila also live. Hamza turns 18 and has to leave La Purísima, the reception centre for unaccompanied boys. They all arrived alone in Melilla but have found a new family: the NANA dance company. After months of hard work, they are selected to participate in a famous TV talent show, where they experience a mirage that seems to take them away from their reality for a few days and that vanishes in a flash when the spotlight goes out. Back to Melilla, when they turn 18, they have to leave the children’s centre and start a new life. Once again, alone.
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A PARTNER TO CALL MY OWN by Kelly Cristina Spinelli | Brazil | 2022 | 72'
Gramado Film Festival, 2022, National Premiere - Awarded Best Feature Documentary
In the aftermath of her husband's death, Eni Spinelli, mother of filmmaker Kelly Cristina Spinelli, faces solitude. Years later, she tackles this by hiring a "taxi dancer" – young male dancers from Sao Paulo's outskirts charging up to $50 nightly to accompany elderly upper-class women. In "A Partner to Call My Own," Kelly explores her mother's journey and that of four other women engaging taxi dancers, delving into themes of loneliness, sexuality, and privilege among the elderly.
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CADÊ HELENY? by Esther Vital | BRA, SP | 2022 | 29'
E Tudo Verdade, 2022, World Premiere
This acclaimed stop-motion animated documentary masterfully weaves Heleny Guariba's life history, stitch by stitch, frame by frame, and memory by memory. A philosopher, professor, and theatre director, she vanished during the Brazilian dictatorship in 1971. Drawing inspiration from the arpilleras, a potent form of protest born from Chile's Pinochet regime, the film skillfully employs tapestries made of fabric remnants and simple stitches to convey unspoken truths. As each scene unfolds, the documentary pays a heartfelt tribute to Heleny's remarkable journey, capturing the essence of her spirit and the resilience of those who bravely challenge oppressive forces through art and storytelling.
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NATURE MUSIC by Lucas Weglinski | Brazil | 2022 | 100'
In Edit International Film Festival, 2022, World Premiere
Masculine nicknames haunt Léa Freire, "The contemporary Villa-Lobos", "The new Tom Jobim", "Hermeto in skirts".
An exceptional woman, an instrumentalist, a jazz improviser, arranger and symphonic composer, universes that are still very much dominted by male artists. Léa crosses prejudice and breaks the barriers between classical and popular, creating a unique, Brazilian but also universal music. In Nature Music, iconic figures of Brazilian Music, legends of Jazz and the New Female Generation tell us about the influence of Léa and her Music, the delights, difficulties and challenges of being a woman musician. Even today.
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THE CABINET
by Živilė Mičiulytė | Lithuania | 2023 | 61'
World Premiere Available
The two investigative journalists, their closed closet office, and the monotonuous and nervous routine of their work. Politicians are about to gradually and systematically restrict media freedom, and the concept of truth is becoming increasingly complex in these post-truth times.
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EDUCATION AND NATIONALISM
by Hisayo Saika | Japan | 2022 | 78'
BAFICI International Film Festival, 2023, World Premiere
An impactful documentary delves into the revision of Japan's history within its classrooms. The film uncovers the government's systematic eradication of Japanese textbooks, scholars, and educational integrity, as revealed through candid testimonies from politicians, textbook writers, company employees, and teachers. In 1997, the inclusion of military comfort women in middle school history textbooks faced vehement opposition from right-wing politicians. The resulting backlash against a respected publisher led to its ultimate bankruptcy for daring to cover the lawsuit of a former Korean comfort woman named Hak-sun Kim and exposing the Japanese army's atrocities. Amid mounting political pressures, plans emerge to reshape historical terminology through the lens of the Japanese government's perspective.
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LIGHT FALLS VERTICAL
by Efthymia Zymvragaki | Spain, Netherlands, Germany | 2022 | 84'
IDFA International Film Festival, 2022, World Premiere ~ Nominated EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS 2024
When I left the island where I was born, it wasn’t a departure, it was an escape. Years later, I arrive on another island, a barren place that feels strangely familiar. I have come here for an encounter with a man. He says he is willing to expose the violence that he carries within. But when I venture to get closer to the harmful, desperate man, I realize that he also holds the key to my deepest fears, echoing in the violence of my own past. Now his story will never be separated from mine.
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PORT DESIRE
by Juan M. Bugarín | Argentina | 2022 | 75'
IDFA International Film Festival, 2022, World Premiere
In a poignant tale, a Malvinas' War veteran endeavors to fix a small boat and set sail to the islands, determined to plant Argentina's flag four decades later, without a passport. Amidst preparations, cherished family ties resurface, alongside haunting memories from the past, sparking a profound inquiry: How enduring is the impact of war? And how does it reverberate through the lives of those closest to you?
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PORTRAIT OF MY FATHER
by Juan Ignacio Fernandez Hoppe | Uruguay | 2022 | 99'
IDFA International Film Festival, 2022, World Premiere
The film follows Juan Ignacio's heart-wrenching journey to unearth the haunting mystery of his father's death. A deep-seated longing ignited at the age of eight drives him to seek answers, as he questions his mother's decision to forego an autopsy. Over three decades later, he relentlessly pursues the elusive truth, unraveling themes of mystery, yearning, loss, and love. The documentary weaves a touching tapestry of emotions, revealing the profound impact of human connections.
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CHILDREN OF LAS BRISAS
by Marianela Maldonado | USA, France, United Kingdom | 2022 | 84'
Sheffield DocFest, 2022, World Premiere
An inspiring journey of resistance, resilience, and unwavering determination, delving into the transformative might of discipline and classical music as beacons of survival. This captivating documentary intimately traces the paths of three Venezuelan children hailing from the impoverished Las Brisas neighborhood as they strive to transcend their circumstances and fulfill their dreams of becoming accomplished musicians through the esteemed "El Sistema" music program. Witness their unwavering dedication to their craft, and how the harmonious notes they create become a resounding anthem of hope amidst adversity. Through their arduous yet extraordinary pursuit, the film reveals the profound impact of music in igniting the human spirit and transcending the barriers that stand between them and a brighter future.
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RISING SUN BLUES by Renata Ferraz & Maria Roxo | Portugal | 2022 | 83'
- Ann Arbor Film Festival, 2022, World Premiere - Eileen Maitland Award
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PONGO CALLING
by Tomás Kratochvíl | Czech Republic, Slovakia, UK | 2022 | 78'
Sheffield DocFest, 2022, World Premiere
When the president of the Czech Republic makes a remark that Romani people are ‘socially unadaptable’ and refuse job opportunities, truck driver Stefan Pongo initiates a social media campaign for the Romani in the country to post selfies from their workplaces. His activism through online posts and live broadcasts brings him huge audiences across Europe and eventually results in the establishment of the Czechoslovak Romani Union. But as the campaign evolves, the crisis affects Pongo’s family life. Tomáš Kratochvíl’s film captures the spirit of one determined campaigner and the challenges faced by grassroots activism.
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KOUDELKA, SHOOTING HOLY LAND
by Gilad Baram | Germany | 2019 Revised | 72' TRAILER
Czech Photographer Josef Koudelka grew up behind the Iron Curtain and always wanted to know “what was on the other side”. Forty years after capturing the iconic images of the Soviet invasion of Prague in 1968, the legendary Magnum photographer arrives in Israel and Palestine. On first seeing the nine-meter-high wall built by Israel in the West Bank, Koudelka is deeply shaken and embarks on a
four-year project in the region which will confront him once again with the harsh reality of violence and conflict.
FIONA CLARK: UNAFRAID by Lula Cucchiara | New Zealand | 2021 | 83'
New Zealand International Film Festival, 2021, National Premiere
It follows the life and work of Fiona Clark, a pioneering New Zealand photographer known for her fearless portrayal of marginalized communities. Through documenting the LGBTQ+ scene, the impact of HIV/AIDS, and her personal journey after a life-changing accident, Clark's art challenges societal norms, fights for equality, and highlights environmental and cultural issues.
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ERGIO LARRAIN, THE ETERNAL MOMENT
by Sebastian Moreno | Chile | 2022 | 83' TRAILER An in-depth film exploring the life of Sergio Larraín, the only Chilean photographer to have become a staff member of the prestigious photo agency Magnum, who developed a unique and enigmatic way of constructing images, became a photographic legend. He captured the edges of reality and ended up inhabiting them. Some of his work has been bought by MoMa. Yet, having arrived at the peak of success in his career, he unexpectedly decided to retreat to hermithood in northern Chile. |
AS I WAS LOOKING ABOVE, I COULD SEE MYSELF UNDERNEATH
by Ilir Hasanaj | Kosovo | 2022 | 62' TRAILER The film unveils intimate stories of LGBTQ persons from Kosovo, going through their unceasing search for a safe place that allows them to be. |
ONE DAY AT A TIME
by Paul Chambers | UK | 2022 | 63' TRAILER The film follows Sam as he makes an autobiographical spoken word film about his battles with addiction, whilst living in an abstinence based recovery centre in Liverpool . It helps its residents find purpose by introducing art, sport, culture and community back into their lives. |
BI ARNAS
by J. M. Fernandez Elorz | Spain | 2022 | 58' TRAILER This documentary tells the story of two breaths: on the one hand Iratxe Sorzabal's breath; on the other, her mother's, Mari Nieves Diaz. This story wants to narrate those two invisible breaths, their suffocation, their double suffering. This is the story of Iratxe's agony, heard mainly through the mother's voice and memories, and supported by her daughter's own voice when possible. |
REXHEP - WHAT KILLED THE ARCHITECT
by Mathieu Jouffre | Kosovo | 2022 | 83' TRAILER The filmmaker follows the life and work of architect and urbanist Rexhep Luci, and the story of Prishtina, the city he loved and where his murder is still unsolved for over 20 years. The documentary follows his personal and professional relationship with the city, from his dedication to urban growth during the Yugoslav period to his determination to prevent illegal construction in the post-war period. His niece, Besa, leads us through his life and Prishtina’s development through intimate conversations with family and Rexhep’s former colleagues, while following an architectural intervention on the street that bears his name. The documentary explores what puts a halt to an architect. |
THE BUILDING
by Goran Dević | Croatia | 2022 | 68' TRAILER The Sisak Iron Mill, one of the largest industrial plants in former Yugoslavia, built an "ideal" settlement for their workers who had thus far lived in huts around the factory. A town was erected around the plant. Sixty years later, The film follows a week in the everyday life of inhabitants on a particular building. A subtle clash between past and present around culture, ideology, lifestyle and values. |
CAMINO TO COP26 - OF WALKING ON THIN ICE by Benjamin Wigley | UK | 2022 | 53'
TRAILER An impressionistic documentary film that questions 'Can one footprint imprint on our collective consciousness and create change? A walk; a pilgrimage, an odyssey…for the planet. Five hundred miles from London to Glasgow: Eight weeks, 56 days and more than 56 host organizations, over a thousand walkers and thirty rolls of 16mm celluloid film. |
8 STORIES ABOUT MY HEARING LOSS
by Charo Mato | Arg. & Uruguay | 2022 | 86' TRAILER The film addresses the issue of deafness based on the testimonies from the personal experience of the director, the Argentine Charo Mato, who was diagnosed with progressive hearing loss at a very young age, until she became completely deaf at the age of 23 . Mato traces her history as a person with hearing loss from the time she was diagnosed until she underwent her first cochlear implant, dialoguing with the memory of her mother, who died just a short time later. |
LINES
by Barbora Sliepková | Slovakia| 2021 | 80' TRAILER Bratislava is an exemplary post-socialist city. Its massive construction replaces the old with the new. The changing features of the city speak to us not only through the silhouettes of new buildings but also through its inhabitants. . Where does public space cease and where does intimacy begin? This is what everyday sociology comprises. |
THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS
by E. Giusto & C. Tejeda | Spain | 2021 | 75' TRAILER This documentary is a journey in everyday reality that reflects on the concept of success. Internationally renowned figures, like Placido Domingo or Rossy de Palma and the film main character 80year old María Teresa – an delightful retired singer – and the neighborhood of Lavapiés, in Madrid, serve the purpose of reflecting on success and on all those ingredients that are part of the existence. With a style that follows the spirit of the “enfants terrible” of the Nouvelle Vague, but with the Madrid feel, the film leaves space for spontaneity. |
NOSTROMO
by Fisnik Maxville | Switzerland | 2021 | 82' TRAILER A raw and visually captivating film that delves into the captivating dream of living a solitary existence in the wilderness. The narrative unfolds through compelling characters, offering a profound exploration of the intricate relationship between humanity and Nature. It artfully portrays the delicate balance between the relentless quest for survival and the profound yearning for happiness and connection in a harsh and unforgiving world. Against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes, the film navigates the internal and external challenges faced by those who dare to embrace solitude and independence. Through evocative storytelling, "Nostromo" invites viewers to reflect on the deep-seated human desire to find meaning, purpose, and communion amidst the raw beauty and untamed majesty of the natural world. |
THE COMMUNE
by Jakub Julény | Slovakia| 2020 | 80' TRAILER In the backdrop of Communist Czechoslovakia, a powerful desire for freedom gave rise to a group of individuals who embraced the principles of the underground movement. They willingly became outsiders to live life on their own terms. Yet, even in the present day, they remain entangled in the past, haunted by lingering suspicions of betrayal and collaboration with the secret police. The spirit of their departed guru hovers over their collective story, adding a poignant layer to their experiences. |
THE GOLDEN LAND
by Dominik Jursa | Slovakia | 2019 | 65' TRAILER
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MATTER OF MIND
by Ulises de la Orden | Argentina | 2019 | 77' TRAILER A universal story showing the circuit of garbage processing, from production to consumption. With its containers, packaging and wrappings: bulk that is discarded as soon as it’s bought. The waste. A journey through the metropolis until its final disposal. Throughout that trajectory, there are people, pollutants, margins and more. We notice garbage when it can be smelled. Is that why we try to get it as far away as possible from our homes? Is that why we bury it, burn it or toss it into the sea? What solutions could we come up with? It’s time to commit to reducing, recycling and reusing, seeing the value in used materials as potential sources of wealth that could create honest work for urban recyclers, the true environmental defenders of our society. |
MY NAME IS HUNGRY BUFFALO
by Pavel Jurda | Slovakia | 2017 | 90' TRAILER Jan calls himself Hungry Buffalo, loves westerns, is blind and is in danger of losing his hearing too. He and his wife, Zuzana, have a common bond - a longing for adventure. That is why they undertake a trip to America to meet a medicine man from the Navajo tribe who, through a ritual, is supposed to improve his hearing. Will Hungry Buffalo´s romantic notions about the lives of Indians survive a confrontation with reality? The charismatic Jan amongst the Indians gives the impression of Wild West´s Don Quixote - a naive adventurer in a world that is much more ordinary than his imagination. |
A HOLE IN THE HEAD
by Robert Kirchhoff | Slovakia | 2017 | 90' TRAILER Little is known about the tragedy of the Roma and Sinti during the Second World War. They were murdered by the tens, hundreds and thousands; in concentration camps, by the edges of mass graves and roadsides, by rifle butts, hammers or gas. Silence surrounds them. For years they existed and still exist on the edge of society. They survived and keep their memory and scars as proof. In a world where fascism is once again prevalent, they are one of the last living witnesses to the Holocaust. They exist with a hole in their head, an imprint from the past. |
DRUMS OF RESISTANCE
by Mathieu Jouffre | Kosovo | 2016 | 52' & 65' TRAILER When ex-Yugoslavia began to fall apart, the Serbian regime banned Kosovar Albanians from participating in public life. Albanian employees across public institutions were fired. Albanian media outlets were closed down. Many elementary and high schools were closed to Albanian students and the entire university system was shut down. During the 1990's in Kosovo, teaching resumed in private apartments, houses and basements stores. This documentary shows how a parallel society and reality was organized. It shows how segregation and apartheid became the norm. Besa Luci and Mathieu Jouffre wrote the script for this challenging film together. In it people are in a relaxed atmosphere: eating, drinking, chatting and revisiting vividly one of the most exciting as well as tragic periods in the history of Kosovo. |
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
by Ulises de la Orden | Argentina | 2015 | 68' TRAILER Over the past decade, Argentina has become a country of origin, transit and destination of trafficking. The pimps and the State’s corrupt officials make human trafficking a lucrative business. On the other side, there are the victims. But permeating this whole web are the clients, who are always safe from any sentence. It is on them, the men, that Human Trafficking sets its gaze. |
BEYOND LAND
by Ulises de la Orden | Argentina | 2011 | 103' TRAILER Inland captures various voices to tell the story of the struggle to extend the southern border of the Argentine and Chilean states during the 19th Century. And its repercussions and continuity in the present day. The film claims that the conquest of the desert (and the pacification of the Araucanian people on the Chilean side) was a crime against humanity which has still not seen justice. In a story that seeks to cover a great diversity of voices, encompassing different positions on the issue, Inland provides a different perspective on Argentine history. |
UPSTREAM
by Ulises de la Orden | Argentina | 2006 | 74' TRAILER A journey by train, hitchhiking, on foot and on mule-back from the city into the depths of the Andes… A personal journey for the film’s director, who explores everything from his family history – including an ancestor that blew up a sugar mill – to the consequences that the sugar industry had on the Kolla indigenous communities of the Iruya region. |