Directors Cut Int'l Film Fest - Mya Studios Mya Studios

Directors Cut Int’l Film Fest

Winners

Longing for the Soul, A Quest for Rumi, a full-length documentary film, will take the viewers on a mesmerizing journey through the lands of ancient Persia, to modern days Afghanistan, Turkey and United States, to tell the story of a mystic man, Molana Jalal-El-Din Rumi, who’s message of love and peace has been passed on for centuries.

Rumi, departed from the world in 1273, late in the day of December 17. To his followers, this date is known as Sheb-Urs or the Wedding Night. At his funeral, people of all religions gather to celebrate his passing to the realm of god. Rumi reveals mysteries of the universe, in language of poetry and mysticism unfolding in the realm of science in the 21st Century?

Director Biography – Aryana Farshad

Aryana independently produced 5 documentary films since year 2000. Her first major project “Mystic Iran: The Unseen World”, a full-length documentary was broadcast at international level and screened, awarded and praised at major spiritual events and film festivals and received “Audience Favorite Award.”

She is recipient of “ABU Award”, “Telly Award”, and ‘Davey Award” “Audience Favorite Award, London Independent Film Awards
Barcelona Planet Film Festival

A seafarer sings the story of how he, as a young man, left Falmouth looking for a new life on the High Seas. During his voyage, he recounts how the moon began to follow him, watching his every move. After months at sea, the ship arrived at a topical island where the moon lead him to his first true love awaiting on the beach. But the moon became envious of their love, drove them apart, and forced the young man, heartbroken and alone, back to Falmouth. Every time he looks up at the night sky, the moon is always there, reminding him of a love lost so many years ago.

Director Biography – Joël Gibbs

A native of France with over 15 years in the creative industry and 10+ years at Magnetic Dreams, Joël Gibbs has a dual Masters in Art and Production Creation from Université de Haute Bretagne Rennes 2. Upon graduation, Gibbs was hired at Magnetic Dreams and has been producing some of the company’s best content since. Not just a director but also an expert compositor, Gibbs’ creative vision can be seen across a multitude of projects for Dell, Marvel, Samsung, Nickelodeon, Chick-fil-A, and more. While at Magnetic, Gibbs directed both the Thor and Loki and Iron Man Extremis motion comics, a total of 130 minutes for Marvel. These long form narratives remain enormously popular as streaming content on various platforms. Gibbs is known for his versatility across various artistic styles, knowledge of multiple software packages, and innate creativity.

Austria, 1945. Together with her granddaughter Marie, Grandmother lives on a mountain farm. One day, of all things, two Russian deserters show up.
Influenced by her prejudice of the violent enemy, Grandmother hides Marie before the unexpected arrivals reach the farm.
Marie, on the other hand, is curious about the Russians. She sneaks up to them at night. In the process, she is discovered.
It turns out that the soldiers are kind people who have been affected by the war in very different ways.

Director Biography – Simon Höbert

Simon was born in July 1997 in the city of Salzburg, Austria. His passion for storytelling brought him to film. From 2017 to 2020, he studied Bachelor Media Technology (BSc) at the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, during which he also completed a semester abroad at the University of Applied Sciences in Oulu (FIN).
Currently Simon is in the master program Multi Media Art (MA) at the FH Salzburg.

This documentary focuses on Mr. Bhim Bahadur Thapa, his enduring legacy, and the mythical aspects of his life. It serves both as a biographical account and as an enduring piece of social commentary. He entered this world on 8 May 1920, dedicating his entire existence to the belief that people needed to awaken to effect positive changes in their lives. This profound conviction guided him throughout his life, leading him to paint and inscribe the word ‘Khoja/Search’ on pavements, walls, and stones across Nepal. On 2 June 2022, in Kathmandu, Mr. Thapa’s remarkable journey came to an end. He lived for an impressive 102 years and 25 days. It is estimated that he penned or inscribed ‘Khoja/Search’ more than 8 million times.

Director Biography – Gopal Shivakoti

Gopal Shivakoti is a documentary filmmaker from Nepal.
He has been working in films and digital media since 2004. Primarily he is a visual editor who also does 2D animation, motion-graphics, and filming. He is a key resource person at “Young-Cuts! the filmmaking workshop” (in Kathmandu) for the past five years. His hobbies include Ethnology and documentary filming.
He has shot and edited “In Search of the Searchman” – a short documentary about the 8 million (plus) graffiti “Khoja/Search” that has been written and inscribed all over Nepal,
“When Shall I See My Daddy” – a short documentary about 14 years old boy whose father has gone to the USA and hasn’t returned to his home and family for ages.
“Save Gangamaya” a documentary film about Satyagrahi Gangamaya Adhikari – who is on fast-unto-death for the attainment of justice for the 2004 murder of her innocent teenager son is his first feature-length documentary, It received an overwhelming response in the international film festival circuit. “War Crime”, “Pinky Gurung”, “We are with Dr. KC”, “Gai Jatra”, “Chain and Worship”, “Bicycle Hero” and “Bare Tree” are his recent films.

Five women from the great city of CASABLANCA, a source of economic, social, and civilizational progress. There are five divorced women from different social strata, and are professionally active in various fields. These women try to rebuild their lives, in an unequal society, dominated by prejudices against divorced women, and ignorance of the rules of law governing the status of women.

Director Biography – BENSOUDA MOHAMMED AHED

Born in Morocco, and now resides in France. He holds a postgraduate diploma specializing in cinema, television and new media Master 2. He also has Bachelor’s degree in Cinematography from the Sorbonne University in Paris, a Diploma in directing from Cinetel Institute in Paris, and a Diploma in screenwriting from Cinecours institute in Canada. He has produced and directed more than twenty films for cinema and television. his achievements have received several awards around the world, he also received the Moroccan government’s exceptional award for his films about women

OUTLINE: When a young boy goes missing in the town of Hope, his grandfather must grapple with their family history and navigate mysterious phenomena as he sets out on a quest of conscience to save his grandson from the shadows.

SUMMARY: A perfect family getaway is suddenly upended when a policeman’s grandson disappears. Jack Rooney (Rick Edwards) has already lost a son. He’s not about to lose his grandson, too. Forced to reckon with family history, he sets out to rescue the boy from the shadows… a journey of conscience rippled by the voice of a visiting missing persons expert (Greg Sestero), whose haunting tales of the vanished illuminate the mysterious phenomena that seem to be in Jack’s way. In a town called Hope, can redemption be found?

Director Biography – Justin MacGregor

Justin MacGregor is a director, cinematographer, and producer, best known for his feature films BEST F(R)IENDS Volumes 1 + 2 — the cinematic reunion of cult legends Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero of THE ROOM fame, his first feature film THE GENERATIONS, and his commercial videography and music video work spanning the last decade. Working behind the camera is all he’s ever known. A keen student of cinema, Justin seeks out creative avenues lesser taken, always striving to promulgate new imagery and unexplored perspectives.

Justin grew up in Canada’s beautiful Okanagan Valley. He is the co-founder of Roguescots, a commercial videography and narrative film production house, based in Vancouver, Canada, where he now resides.

Singer Isabelle Cyr takes a fascinating journey in France to meet her Acadian cousins, whose ancestors were deported from Canada. During the journey, where past and present mingle with personal discoveries, she composes a song on her identity and connections with the people.

Director Biography – Phil Comeau

Phil Comeau, an Acadian film director and scriptwriter, lives in Montreal and Moncton, Canada. His documentary and drama films have won over 580 festival awards worldwide. – His documentary features include The Secret Order, Zachary Richard Cajun Heart, Acadian Music Wave, The Nature of Frederic Back & Secretariat’s Jockey Ron Turcotte. – Filmmaker Phil Comeau has been awarded the Order of Canada and has recently been promoted to Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters of France for his contribution to culture and cinema.

Director Statement

Culture is identity and it’s what makes us unique. This film is about finding your roots.

A young nurse must fight for her life when her house has been invaded by an unearthly intruder.

Director Biography – Roshni “Rush” Bhatia

Roshni Bhatia is a writer-director who grew up in Mumbai, India. A science fiction and horror fan inspired by the films of James Cameron, Jason Blum and the writings of Richard Matheson, she came to the United States in 2018 to study film. Her short films have been screened at film festivals around the world and she recently a short horror film, Plasmid, the story of a young woman trapped in her house by an alien presence. She’s currently writing her first feature.

Director Statement

Roshni Bhatia is a writer-director who grew up in Mumbai, India. A science fiction and horror fan inspired by the films of James Cameron, Jason Blum and the writings of Richard Matheson, Roshni sought inspiration from their masterpieces (both visually and narratively) and created an original concept titled, ‘Plasmid’. She came to the United States in 2018 to study film. Although the goal is to have Plasmid screened at quality film festivals, she hopes the audience can take away something inspiring from her movie. Her short films have been screened at film festivals around the world and she recently a short horror film, Plasmid, the story of a young woman trapped in her house by an alien presence. She’s currently writing her first feature.

A terminal cancer diagnosis leads a miserable workaholic on a self-indulgent quest to win back his pregnant-and-estranged wife and connect with his unborn son through a self-funded, semi-autobiographical movie about the meaning of life.

All seven episodes of the first season have been completed. Provided here is the pilot episode. The rest of Season 1 can be viewed on the website with the password: kg1 https://incompletenesstheseries.com/season-01

Director Biography – David Ash

Prior INCOMPLETENESS, Ash wrote and directed three critically-acclaimed, award-winning feature films, all of which played at local, national, and international film festivals. His most recent feature, TWIN CITIES, won five “Best of Fest” awards out of the nine festivals where it screened, including the “Grand Jury Prize” at the Amsterdam Film Festival. The film was distributed in fall, 2018, by Summer Hill Films on Amazon Prime. A more in-depth review of Ash’s filmmaking career can be found via this 7-minute profile from the Twin Cities PBS Emmy-winning series Minnesota Originals: https://www.tptoriginals.org/meet-this-film-director-disguised-as-a-finance-director/

Fadhumo and Helen are two refugees who need sanctuary in Israel and Germany. Each in her own way copes with discrimination, foreignness, and a life without roots. Simultaneously they become close friends and social activists determined to help women like them and provide a better future for coming generations.
Between Tel Aviv and Berlin they live under differing regimes – the “open door policy” on one hand; the “infiltrators’ exile” on the other. Their fate is identical: an unstable life controlled by government policy, exposed daily to human kindness and cruelty, hoping that despite everything, their dreams may still come true.

Director Biography – Gili Danon, Efrat Shalom Danon

Efrat Shalom Danon
Efrat is an award-winning filmmaker who in her debut film “The Dreamers” has provided a unique glimpse to the women filmmakers in the closed Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel . “The Dreamers” premiere was at Docaviv film festival (The official competition).
The film was broadcasted on Israeli television, was nominated to best debut Film at the Israeli Documentary film competition and participated in over 30 international festivals (FIPA, Syracuse, Toronto Jewish Festival etc.).

Gili Danon
Gili is a multidisciplinary creator – poet, playwright and video artist. His feature short films (Avalanche, The Anniversary) have been screened at festivals in Israel and abroad, and were broadcasted on Israeli television.
He has edited several documentaries, that participated in film festivals in Israel and abroad, (FIPA, Docaviv, Toronto Jewish Festival etc.) and also edited several TV series.

The Beast of Our Time is a fifty-years-in-the-making, unflinching inquiry into the relationship between climate change and grizzly bears, narrated by one of America’s most passionate storytellers, Jeff Bridges. Top scientists, advocates, authors, filmmakers, and poets band together to investigate, and find the fates of both grizzly bears and humans to be more interlinked than we ever suspected. Climate change has mingled our destinies.

Join us on a journey into the heart of the American West, and its last remnants of a once-great nation of grizzly bears. We will visit with multiple generations of ranchers who have learned to co-exist in grizzly country, and hear predictions from leading scientists. Buffeted with stunning cinematic vignettes and pleas for the wild, the film is part documentary, part love story.

The Beast of Our Time is both a dire warning and a compelling call to action that delves into the catastrophic effects of climate change on grizzly bear habitat. The story is rivaled by the striking cinematography that brings viewers right onto the landscape, walking side by side with this imperiled population of grizzly bears.

Director Biography – Maaike Middleton

Maaike Middleton is a wildlife filmmaker. She was born in The Netherlands and grew up in Montana. She has traveled the globe filming wildlife from pumas in Patagonia, the elusive Amur tiger in the Russian Far East and grizzlies in her backyard. Maaike is passionate about telling stories that make a difference and address issues that impact us all. When she is not setting camera traps to capture animal behavior she is watching film and helping with the section process for the Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam. She has worked on projects for Smithsonian, Nat Geo, Netflix, BBC, PBS and Arte.

Mr. Emancipation is the story of Walter L Perry’s determination to put on a celebration that would transcend divisions of race and class. He staged an Emancipation Day festival that was where everyone wanted to be. Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr, Jesse Owens all headed there because, as civil rights activist Dick Gregory said “The largest Juneteenth celebration was not in America, it was in Windsor, Canada.”

A celebration of ending slavery sounds grim.

What Walter Perry organized was the exact opposite of grim. Imagine a miles-long parade. The smell of soul food. Whirling carnival rides. There was live music, talent shows and even the Miss Sepia beauty pageant (the first international beauty pageant for Black women).

From 1936 until 1967, that’s how Walter Perry celebrated freedom. Perry and his celebration got caught up in the overheated racial politics of the day, sabotage and race riots of 1967 in Detroit. His event never recovered that year and shortly after Walter Perry died…. but the spirit of Mister. Emanciaption still lives on.

Director Biography – Preston Chase

Preston William Chase is a seventh generation African Canadian and a descendant of William Parker. Parker escaped slavery in Maryland, and went on to play a key role in the Christiana Riots in Pennsylvania. It was his friend, the great Fredrick Douglass who convinced Parker to take refuge in Canada.

Born to a single mother in the Black community of downtown Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Chase went on to become a high school teacher. He is also the family historian and a passionate advocate for greater awareness of a historic Black community, time has forgotten.

It was a desire for everyone to know the story of his great great uncle Walter Perry that led Chase to pick up a camera and begin recording the stories about him from the elders in his community.

Mister Emancipation: The Walter Perry story is the result of twenty years of research and five years of production.

To their friends, Sarah and Sam seem like the perfect couple desperately in love. But when Sarah gets her big stage break as an aspiring actress, Sam begins to question whether he’s good enough for her, particularly as he’s stuck in a dead-end job.
As their relationship unravels, and a mysterious woman threatens to further tear them apart, Sarah and Sam are forced to confront the anger and hurt that they have built between themselves, and once again believe in each other and their love in order to find their way “home”.

Director Biography – Paul Andrew Kimball

Paul Andrew Kimball has written, directed, and produced a wide variety of programming for television, including the television series Haunted, Maritime Museums, and Cinema 902. He adapted and produced the drama special Julius Caesar for Bravo in 2000, and produced the 2002 Canadian indie feature film Dying Fall.

His feature films as a writer / director include The Cuckoo in the Clock (2013), Roundabout (2014), and Exit Thread (2016). Paul has also served as the Executive Producer on the feature films Aliens With Knives (2018), The Last Divide (2018), Creepy Crawling (2018), and Shadow In the Mirror (2019).

In 2021 he is slated to produce the second season of the independent feature film anthology series Cinema 902, as well as the dramatic series The Last Divide.

His most recent feature film, The Colour of Spring, was released in November 2020.

When a trans sister, January Marie Lapuz, is brutally murdered in
her own home, a community reacts and her friends and other trans women of colour come to share and voice their issues, concerns, and challenges. January was seen as a bright light in the lives of many. This is the story of January, a friend, a daughter, a person. This film will not only bring justice to January, but to all the women who have lost their lives. January had a beautiful soul, and now part of her soul rests in each and every one of us.

Director Biography – Elina Gress, Lenee Son

Photo: Lenee Son (left) and Elina Gress (right)

BIOGRAPHY OF LENEE SON

Lenée is a Khmer Krom settler who grew up in Surrey on unceded Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, and Kwikwetlem territories. She has a Bachelors of Journalism and minor in Sociology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Her work as a freelance multimedia journalist has appeared in publications such as rabble.ca, Multimedia Photojournale, The Volcano, Westcoast Food, and Inside Vancouver. When she’s not working on multimedia projects, Lenee is committed to anti-poverty community organizing in Surrey and Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

She/Her pronouns.

BIOGRAPHY OF ELINA GRESS

Elina is a freelance multimedia journalist, primarily photojournalist, in the search for a greater understanding of our world. She has a deep interest in the complexities of the human population. Telling people’s stories from their perspective and not her own. Telling stories that can change people’s hearts and minds through photography and documentary. That said, Elina has a passion for wildlife conservation and preservation; not to mention the determination to protecting our one and only home. Earth.

A story of a young immigrant who knows no English, and his trials in….ordering breakfast at the local diner.

***
Pablo is a young immigrant, new to the United States, and
speaks no English. When he first comes into a diner, not
knowing how to order, he mimics another customer. Thus, a
“coffee and a donut” becomes his regular order.

Meanwhile, more appetizing meals pass in front of him, which he
has to figure out how to order while in a busy environment that
leaves him isolated.

He befriends Camila, an assertive Latina-American, who takes him under her wing while he learns how to start off with the most important meal of the day.

Director Biography – Cary Patrick Martin

Cary Patrick Martin makes his directorial debut with Coffee and a Donut, with two more films currently in post production. Originally from Syracuse, NY, Cary has been working in the NYC theater/film scene for more than half his life, performing everything from improv to Shakespeare.

Cary has been a student of Ela Thier at the Independent Film School, having also studied with Sande Shurin Acting Studio, and The American Globe Theater, among others. He toured extensively with National Theater of the Performing Arts, was a principle performer/combatant with the New York Renaissance Faire, and a company member of Mortal Folly Theatre. He has also produced charity cabarets to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

When not creating, Cary enjoys long distance running, having completed numerous half and full marathons.

Michael D’Asaro impacted thousands of lives around the world as a renowned saber fencer and coach by using fencing as a metaphor for life.

Director Biography – Greg Lynch Jr, Doug Nichols

Gregory Lynch Jr Bio

Greg Lynch graduated in 1987 from San Francisco State with a B.A. in screen writing. He later complemented that with an additional certificate in writing from UCLA. With his degree in hand, Greg relocated to Los Angeles where he spent the next twenty two years building sets for the movie industry. He worked on everything from Tremors to Dreamgirls to The Amazing Spiderman.

During that time Greg focused a lot of his artistic output on Photography. He obtained his first SLR at 16 and his passion for photography has only grown since then. He has done quite a bit of commercial work in the Martial Arts filming everything from exercise tutorials to Shaolin Monks climbing the holy paths in Dengfeng.

Ten years ago he acquired his first video camera. He put that to use making short films and documenting marital arts tournaments. He produced hundreds of short films under the Badass Bunny Productions banner for Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine. You can find these films populating their Youtube channel.

Greg Lynch Jr produced, as well as many other jobs, the feature length documentary ‘The Last Captain’ about legendary Hungarian Olympic Sabre champion and coach, George Piller.

Stro: The Michael D’Asaro Story is his feature directorial debut.

Doug Nichols Bio

After 25 years in Animation and Visual Effects working for studios like Pixar, Disney and Lucasfilm, filmmaker Doug Nichols embarked on an effort to preserve the history of his favorite sport – fencing. Creating the West Coast Fencing Archive, he began the exhaustive process of researching the people and personalities that exemplified this unique sport.

Initially writing histories for web publication, the idea of translating some of these stories into film began to take shape in early 2016. To that end, Nichols produced and directed the feature Documentary The Last Captain about the life George Piller.

Director Biography – Jabbari Omar Weekes, Tichaon Tapambwa, Phil Witmer

I am an emerging Caribbean director based in Toronto who is focused on creating slice-of-life and fantasy stories within the diasporic community.

Director Statement

NEXT STOP, a four-part anthology series, was made out of a desire to show the day-to-day chaos of living Black in Toronto. The stories we would often come across online were either highly-animated parody videos or overly-serious dramas. So the question was always, “What about the people in-between?” Where were the ‘mandem’ with heavy Toronto accents but could also be silly, serious, and everything in-between? People like us.

Throughout the show’s episodes, characters get into petty arguments about the best TTC station Jamaican Patties or existential crises about finding a job with a liveable wage. What ties them together is the idea of, yes, the silly and serious, but also survival amidst the rising costs of this city. With NEXT STOP, we can express these concerns with a laugh.

Graduated from Moscow State Art and Cultural University, majoring in film and TV directing. Documentary filmmaker. Lead operator of the film «Kamchatka Bears. Life Begins» (24 awards, 2018 Golden Eagle award in the category Best Documentary, Russian Geographical Society award in the category Best Media Project). Shot video for Russian and international TV channels (including BBC World). Author of projects “Priroda Show” and “I — a bear!”.

Colm O’Murchu is a passionate Indie Filmmaker and owner of the
production company, International Film Base. He lives and works in
the Blue Mountains and in Sydney. Some of Colm’s Directorial
credits include feature films such as: the recently completed Tabernacle 101, The Makeover and Dealing with Destiny. His films have being sold in the Worldwide Market and are viewable online.

When creativity gets punished as error, freedom must be sought.

Director Biography – Karl Bou-Rjeily

Discovering the magic of the camera from a young age, Karl pursues his film studies at the Lebanese American University – Beirut, during which he writes and directs two short films, “Anemoia” (2018) and “Allegro” (2019). A passionate musician, Karl is also involved in film scoring, performing live and all around experimenting with sounds.
He has spent his last year as cinematographer on multiple short films, and as part of the experimental music duo “Borj Selim”.

Director Statement

Allegro came out of frustration with societal norms, and bureaucracy. I have been feeling trapped in a system that does not care about the qualities of what I do, but only about numbers, and status. Allegro is my personal scream, and statement to the world I live in, made by the very means that I feel should be free in the world.

Two Costa Rican horses rescued from lives of pain and hardship, two horse trainers on a mission to understand new beginnings and connection through movement. A country to cross from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean, over mountains, through valleys, across rives, and embraced by Costa Rican jungle. Could this shared journey be enough to build trust between horse and human? Could horses from a history such as theirs learn to trust anew?

Music, Color, and Sound still in final polishing stages. Taming Wild: Pura Vida will be 100% complete in August of 2019

Director Biography – Elsa Sinclair

Elsa Sinclair is a professional horse trainer and documentary filmmaker who brings to the horse world a unique and powerful perspective. Gathering together knowledge from a variety of equine disciplines Elsa created a brand new style of training she calls Freedom Based Training. Her style is now popular around the world. Most recently, she and a student of hers embarked on an ambitious project, walking across the country of Costa Rica with two rescue horses, training them in motion while filming everything that happened along the way. Once again pushing the limits of what a horse and human partnership can really be.

Director Statement

Our journey was to prove that putting emotions in motion smooths the path forward in life…
Pure Life… Pura Vida.

Frostbitten & love smitten! It’s the bitterly cold Winter of 1979 as Rusty types away in his trailer. His fiancé had just left him at the alter and in response, Rusty uproots himself from Minnesota and relocates to the middle of nowhere. He’s not completely alone for Alice, whom he refuses to accept has left his side, stands nearby in the form of a mannequin. Rusty’s new utopia is disturbed by Babs, Ruth-Ann & Fran; three local bullies who developed a jealous streak towards Alice. Their reconnaissance mission begins & the snowballs fly as the temperature plummets ‘2 Below 0’!

Director Biography – Tim Cash

Tim Cash is an Oregon filmmaker whose artistic vision & technical capability allow him to weave a beautiful tapestry of images creating a compelling & involving story. Tim’s feature film, ‘The Astronot’, received awards at over 150 film festivals in 2018.

Director Statement

Working on 2 BELOW 0 was a challenge but an all around incredible experience. We had 9 straight long days of filming in freezing conditions. Pennan Brae and I had worked together on numerous music videos and a feature film prior to this so we’re able to take everything we learned from previous projects and apply it to this one. So excited to share this film with the world! I feel as though this is my best work to date!

Runanubandha is a term used in spirituality which refers to the body’s memory, which comprises of genetic memory and memory of intimate physical connect. It is this memory which is said to bind a parent and a child, a husband and a wife or any other intimate relationships.

The film explores a daughter’s search for her father in the metropolis of Kolkata. The daughter Shatarupa, finds the voice of her father in a young man who comes to her life as a director. The paternal traits draw her towards him, but she finds herself trapped elsewhere between emotional complexities and simplicity.

The film also draws a parallel with the mythological tale of Lord Brahma, the universal father and creator, who was attracted to his own daughter Shatarupa (also known as Saraswati). The film unfolds the mystic journey of a daughter in pursuit of her father.

Director Biography – Amartya Bhattacharyya

Amartya Bhattacharyya is a 31 year old national award winning filmmaker from eastern India. Amartya Bhattacharyya is not only an independent film director, but also a poet, writer, cinematographer, editor, painter, actor, lyricist, recitation artist and a photographer.
All of Amartya’s films, poems and other works are dark, mostly surreal, and psychoanalytic in nature. He names the genre of his films as ‘Phychodrama’.
Amartya’s films have been screened over 110 international film festivals around the world including the prestigious Festival de Cannes (Court Métrage), International Film Festival of India, International Film Festival of Kerala, Dhaka International Film Festival, Kolkata International Film Festival, etc.

Greek Rock Revolution is a music documentary featuring seven of the bands representing the flourishing Greek Rock Scene, speaking about their music and the context ‘inspiring’ this movement: a long- lasting unstable social situation boosting artistic expression through a common feeling of non- conformity.

Director Biography – Miguel Cano

Miguel Cano is a Filmmaker, Director of Mr. Challenge Films. Since 2010 he has traveled nearly 70 countries and produced documentary movies with a social approach in Tibet, Peru, Spain, Indonesia, Palestine, Greece, Dominican Republic, Mongolia and Nepal. Three of his films have been awarded.
Miguel has worked with first line brands such as VISA, Zalando, H&M and Mercedes amongst others. His journalist work has been featured at The Huffington Post, The Diplomat and Deutsche Welle. Mr. Challenge Film’s Director is now presenting his last two documentaries: one filmed in Hebron (Palestine) bringing together testimonies and feasible solutions from Palestinians and Israelis about the current situation in the core of the conflict. And Greek Rock Revolution, displaying the flourishing Rock Scene in Greece and the social context behind inspiring the movement after 10 years of economic crisis.
He also just finished his first fiction feature script and it’s seeking for Production.

Director Statement

The Filmmaker sees in Greece resemblances with historical cultural momentums in Mississippi back when the blues was born or in Seattle when the grunge flourished: a long-lasting unstable social situation boosting artistic expression through a common feeling of non-conformity.

As Metal Hammer’s Director, Kostas Chronopoulos states in the film, “it’s not easy to fight all for your own, you need to feel part of something which is there for you. And rock ‘n roll is here for us.”

Minor girl noticed wedding preparations in her home .. She was shocked because she did not expect to be
the bride.
The film highlights the suffering of an impoverished middle-class Egyptian girl in one of the villages. She deprived her right to complete her education and innocent childhood. A victim of marriage is forced to marry before the legal age of marriage is complete. Before her physical development is complete,The film is expressive without dialogue, with the aim of focusing on the internal feelings of the heroine. Her relationship with the party responsible for her harm from her face is always cruel.

Director Biography – Nancy Kamal

An independent Egyptian visual artist, Nancy Kamal was born in Cairo in 1977. She was graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts- Cartoon Animation department in 2000, her graduation project was a short animation film (Esteftahak Laban). Besides that, 1999 she started working as an interactive art director in digital media and commercials.2006 she directed three short documentary films (Aroh Lemin – Happened in Nawa – West Eldayra). The following year she directed (Fried Dreams) (2007), her first fiction short that was awarded in Alexandrian International Film festival and participated in Dubai International Film Festival. One other short followed (rizk eleial).

When you detox in Serbia, you eat, drink, and enjoy the music.

The most celebrated brass band festival in Europe is in GUCA. Paradoxically, it is a backwoods village located in the very heart of Serbia, but it beats with a passion and rhythm that unites the whole world. An entire region is a unique place where East meets West and the North borders with the South. The Celtic rhythm, a southern warmth, the Latin romanticism, and the Slavic sentimentality is present everywhere. It radiates within the culture, the food, the people and the music.

Director Biography – Igor S Rados

A filmmaker with a curious take on life, always searching for the “other side” as a constant riddle that needs to be solved. For him, realism doesn’t merely exist. It has to be created.
Igor Stephen Rados was born in Belgrade, Serbia. He has lived with his family in Toronto, Canada since 1988. He graduated in Business Accounting at George Brown College in 1994, Liberal Studies at York University in 1996, and Film Production in 1999.

Director Statement

No verbal statements – just pictures 🙂

Brodie and Paul began collaborating together as early on as high school in rural Ontario. Their pursuit of film led them to Toronto where Brodie attended York University and Paul to Humber College, where they completed studies in film production.

They both worked in several disciplines in the industry; experimenting with cinematography, lighting/grip, writing and directing. Ultimately they began working together once again in physical special effects.

Brodie and Paul’s breadth of technical knowledge and yearning for a creative outlet is what led to the creation of the web series Dark Before Dawn. Spanning several years, the duo spearheaded the creation of this series independently; they shot episodes whenever they had enough money and time to devote.

Director Statement

Dark Before Dawn is a web series. It doesn’t adhere to format conventions. Some episodes hit you fast and hard, some slowly build. Time jumps forward, sometimes suddenly and drastically. Its brutal, but engaging, like nature.

Nature… the ultimate authority. There is some production center in the brain pumping out a formulaic cocktail to sustain mental and physical fortitude. What happens when the mix goes wrong? Our tech dependent, supply-chain driven, globally connected world is a taut spring ready to unravel.

You wake up… the world is falling apart. Run. Fight. Survive. Try to preserve what you have. Days fly by: everything is changing. Darkness descends. Is the light in the distance golden rays of the new rising sun, or the fires of the old world raging wild?

I am a producer, director, writer, and editor. I won an award for the independent movie The Killing Zone which I wrote and directed. Have co-produced/co-wrote the feature Small Time Obsession, produced Dead Room which I co-wrote and directed, co-wrote and directed a horror picture called Fallen Angels starring Michael Ironside (Total Recall, Perfect Storm and Starship troopers) and Jeff Fahey (The Lawnmower Man) and wrote, produced, directed and edited Bad Day which stars Claire Goose from the hit Emmy award winning BBC TV series Waking The Dead, the actress and model Donna Air, Sarah Harding from the successful girls band girls aloud and Robbie Gee from the hit movie snatch. I am now working on an action comedy web series called Rebecca Gold. I have a number of screenplays and projects in development which is cool.

An older lady’s first job interview and what happens thereafter.

Director Biography – Sai Deodhar Anand

Im an Indian television and film actor/director/producer
I appeared in my first role as a child artist in a hindi serial Kacchi Dhoop dir by Amole Palekar.
Prahaar (hindi feature film) Dir by Nana Patekar
Choodiya (hindi Tele film) dir Sai Paranjape (film received a National Award)
Lapandav’ (marathi film) dir Shrabani Deodhar (Film received a National Award)
The Square Circle (dayara) (hindi film) dir Amole Palekar
Television
Saara Akaash as Flight Lt. Monica Singh ( STAR PLUS)
Nach Baliye as Contestant season 1(STAR 1)
C.I.D. as Sub-Inspector Priyanka (SONY ENT)
Kasautii Zindagii Kay as Debonita (STAR PLUS)
Ek Ladki Anjaani Si as Ananya Sachdev (Anu) / Ananya Nikhil Samarth(SONY)
Kashi as Ishwari (STAR ONE)
Baat Hamari Pakki Hai as Nidhi (SONY)
Upanishad Ganga as Devayani (DOORDARSHAN)
Udaan as Kasturi (COLOURS TV)
Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane as Barkha Ram Ahuja kapoor (SONY)
Darr Sabko Lagta Hai
Producer
Khamoshiyaa (star plus)
Saata Lota pun sagla khota (marathi film)

Director Statement

D.A.T.E is my 1st directorial venture, and this short film is very special to me and very close to my heart…

My journey began in this field as an Actor, I worked in many TV serials or soaps in India, but becoming a Filmmaker was always a dream I harbored.

I wrote my 1st short film script “D.A.T.E”, Just after my father passed away from battling cancer and my mom was struggling to get back on her feet.

This film is dedicated to my mom and dad.

Daniel longed to touch the moon; with Sandy’s help, he’d reach the stars. It was 1969 and America was embarking on the biggest adventure known to humankind with its voyage to the moon. Daniel too was pursuing the unknown; leaving the path of isolation he had known for so long to embrace the love of another. The only question was would he be able maintain that trajectory or would he veer off course never to be seen again. That was the challenge for ‘The Astronot’.

Director Biography – Tim Cash

Tim Cash is an independent Filmmaker from Bend Oregon. Tim specializes in ultra-low budget films and music videos. Tim has made a name for himself in the industry as a camera op, producer, director and editor. Tim’s previous projects include “Two Wheels, One Planet”, “Side Door” and Boom Varietal.

Director Statement

Working on “The Astronot” was a dream come true for me. It was one of the hardest and most rewarding projects I’ve ever been a part of. Directing Pennan Brae was a pleasure and I’m sure he agrees a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into making this film.

Louise, a young care assistant, performs an internship in a retirement home, final step before the hiring that she hopes for. Her unexpected encounter with an old amnesic man, Mr Vadim, leads the young woman to face a decisive choice. Her future is about to tip over.

Director Biography – Valérie THEODORE

VALERIE THEODORE IS A FRENCH ACTRESS AND MOVIE DIRECTOR. HER FIRST SHORT FILM “JE VOUS PRIE DE SORTIR” (“WOULD YOU BE KIND TO LEAVE, SIR”) HAS BEEN SELECTED IN MORE THAN 50 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS AND WAS AWARDED 18 TIMES.

SHE WON THE BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM AWARD AT THE CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN 2013.

SHE FINISHED HER SECOND SHORT FILM “THE COURTESY OF ANGELS” (“LA POLITESSE DES ANGES”) IN 2016 WHICH HAS BEEN SELECTED IN MORE THAN 50 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS AND WON THE BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE SHORT FILM AT THE PEAK CITY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE BEST EUROPE FILM AWARD AT THE EUROPEAN CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARDS IN POLAND.

Claudia decides to investigate her grandmother’s past, who recently passed away. Through a letter, she comes to Marlene, an old German lady who lives in Brazil and keeps her memories inside a pool without water. During the visit, the old lady reveals details of her life that intersect with Claudia’s grandmother’s past, a German fugitive of the 2nd World War.

Director Biography – Leandro Goddinho

Leandro Goddinho is a Brazilian filmmaker based in Berlin. After studying Cinema and Theatre in Brazil he has directed 7 short films, 2 medium-length films, and 2 video clips, totaling more than 70 awards in Film Festivals in Brazil and abroad, operating in the audio-visual industry as a director, screenwriter and picture editor.

On TV, he worked as image editor and assistant director for the MULTISHOW Channel in Brazil. He also directed 3 theatre plays and was assistant for renowned directors in São Paulo.

In 2015 he was selected to the German Chancellor Fellowship for prospective leaders sponsored by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to research and develop a documentary Film Project about homophobia.

Currently, he is attending a Master of Arts in Documentary Film – Media and Visual Anthropology, at Freie Universität-Berlin holding a DAAD Scholarship for Foreigners artist and Filmmakers. His fiction short film Piscina (Pool) had the World Premiere at the Palm Springs Film Festival in 2016, have won 26 Awards and is running the film festival circuit around the world already, been selected for more than 70 Film Festivals.

What happens when you leave home on a bike with no other plan than to ride eastwards? Embarking on just such an adventure, Martijn Doolaard decided to cycle from Amsterdam to Singapore. One Year on a Bike chronicles his slow travels over 17,000 km—passing through the wilds of Eastern Europe, the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, and the temples of Myanmar. Stories of animal encounters, camping at salt lakes and on deserted beaches, and Iranian hospitality are accompanied by photography that captures the breathtaking scenery, the chance meetings and friendships, and the buzz of global cities. This documentry details the beauty and self-discoveries, as well as the hardships and the gear necessary, on this incredible one-man journey.

Instragram: @_espiritu.libre_

Director Biography – Martijn Doolaard

Photographer, filmmaker and designer based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Finalists

This film is a 67′ free-style music film, a video collage, a tour de force of improvisations by musicians from mainly the UK and Germany in an audio-visual dialogue with Ebba Jahn.
The result is a shrill, flashy, colorful, touching video collage full of different approaches to sound and image and the world.

Background:
I asked all improvising musicians I had worked with in the recent years to send me up to 3 single minutes of music with or without video / images for the creation of this music video collage – it was an inspiring delight to receive and work with them.

The UK musicians are also members of the OXFORD IMPROVISERS and MOPOMOSO.
Please see the attached Credit List for all musicans and other artists involved.

Director Biography – Ebba Jahn

Ebba Jahn graduated from the Film and TV Academy Berlin (DFFB) and has worked as a 16 mm filmmaker and cinematographer Jazzfilm RISING TONES CROSS being her longest and most known music film.
She moved to New York City from 1991 until 2010, where she a.o. studied towards a BA in Fine Arts.
Back in Germany she participated in group exhibitions, made DVD productions, video installations, and was curator and organizer of the traveling art exhibition PAPER PAIRS with abstract artworks by 20 intl. artists including her own from 2017-2019.

A young boy named Tale (8), a great fan of the cinematic arts, is laying in a hospital infected with the Coronavirus. In his subconscious he’s fighting fearlessly against the bad illness,
dreaming an unusual dream, related to his first love.

Director Biography – Tomislav Aleksov

Tomislav Aleksov is a graduate of film and television director and Master of cultural sciences in literature. Born in Skopje, Macedonia in 1966.
In the period between 1985 until 1987 studies at the department of general and comparative literature at the Faculty of Philology at the University “St. Cyril and Methodius” in Skopje.
In the 1987/88 school year, he enrolled at the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television in Ljubljana, Republic of Slovenia. He studies at the film and TV directing department in the class of professors Matijaz Klopcic and Karpo Godina. He graduated from the University of Ljubljana with the feature film “Cry of the Mute Indian” (produced in 1992/93, a co-production between Macedonian Television and Television Slovenia) and the paper “Chronology of the Macedonian Feature Film” in 1995. Between 1988 and 1998 works freelance as a director at TV Slovenia. He has produced more than 2000 TV shows of all genres for TV Slovenia.

Relatives of patients sitting around the same table at different times; to solve problems in the most difficult periods of their lives; embark on an emotional journey toward each other’s inner world.

Director Biography – Zeynep Üstünipek

Born in Istanbul, Zeynep Üstünipek began her studies at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Istanbul. Later she studied at the cinema master’s department in Lodz. She graduated from Kadir Has University Master’s Degree. She shot her first feature-length film Love in the secret garden in 2012. The film competed in the international competition section of the 35th Cairo Film Festival. Also, She won numerous awards with the short films she produced. First of all, she is a movie buff.

A young adult (Brian) is visited by his brother, Jeremy, who needs a place to stay as he settles into his new city. The two polar opposite personalities begin to clash as Jeremy’s presence poses a threat to Brian’s way of life. Brian’s uptight personality and unreasonable living standards rub off on Jeremy, creating an incredible amount of tension. Bad blood, stemming from a traumatic past event reveals the shocking truth of the brothers’ current situations, as Brian struggles to differentiate between reality and his worst nightmares.

Director Biography – Harry Waldman

I am a passionate filmmaker who has been watching movies since as long as I can remember. Some of my favorite films include “Memento”, “The Dark Knight”, The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Alien”, etc. I have seen over 8,000 films and am as crazy about movies as any individual you will ever meet. I studied Business at Ithaca College and ironically figured out my passion right as I was graduating. I have worked on a number of various films and have written, directed, and edited “515”, “Enter the Room”, “In the Backseat”, “Bay For Blood” and “The Corridor Crossing”. I also have a few more projects in the pre-production stage.

For over 100 years, many of the Indigenous children of Canada were forcefully taken from their families and sent hundred or thousands of kilometers away to Residential Schools whose purpose was to take away their language and culture and replace it with that of the European colonizers, often using abuse and neglect to achieve this goal.
The Red Deer Indian Industrial School which operated from 1889 to 1919 and was per population one of the most deadly Indigenous Residential Schools in Canada’s history. This film focuses on honouring the memory of the students who survived as well as those that died at the school whose bodies where never returned to their families. It also focuses on how this has affected generations of First Nations, Inuit and Metis through intergenerational trauma, but also how to move towards a brighter future of cultural revitalization and reconciliation through the eyes of the Indigenous filmmakers on their journey of discovery.

Director Biography – Penny Gullion

Penny J Gullion is a Nehiyâw-Iskwew raised in Wabasca (Bigstone Cree Nation) in Treaty 8 Territory, Alberta. A dancer since adolescence, she always held a passion for the arts. She moved to Edmonton to attend high school at Victoria School of the Arts and her passion for storytelling flourished. Penny is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production at the University of British Colombia.

A scorned woman becomes increasingly image-obsessed, transforming from a demure photographer into a superficial social media influencer. An artistic contemplation on the modern obsession with one’s own image, beauty ideals and the male gaze on women’s bodies from the female perspective.

Director Biography – Nicole Wensel

Nicole Wensel is an award-winning writer, director, actress, and producer. After graduating with a B.A. in Film Production from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, Nicole launched her production company, Conscious Cinema Co., which focuses on creating films for artful expression, inspiration and positive social change.

Her most recent film, Supermodel, recently had its World Premiere at the Festival de Cannes Marché du Film and is currently making waves on the festival circuit – chosen as an Official Selection and honored at many film festivals around the world

A twisted story of witchcraft & revenge.

Director Biography – Jake Roth

Born & raised in Dubuque, IA, Jake Roth has been an aspiring filmmaker since age 10, when he was given a video camera for Christmas. Ever since, he has been writing, shooting, editing, and acting – getting his hands on any project he can to improve upon the previous. He graduated from Loras College (Dubuque, IA) in May 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies, and has been working for a local production company as a videographer since Fall 2014. However, that is only his “Monday-Friday” gig, as his weekends are commonly booked-solid with side projects of his own, including this film. Jake Roth has and always will eat, sleep and breathe film, and loves sharing that passion with everyone – from the people that aid him in his projects to those who sit down and enjoy them after the fact.

Laura is a young mother. Her son Esteban has a fatal disease and must be operated on urgently, but she does not have enough money to pay for the procedure. Meanwhile, Daniel, the boy’s father, sinks deeper into his addiction. Both parents will enter into a conflict where they will have to face their own inner demons and their stormy past, to finally reach an outcome of no return, like a dead end, in which life and death will be at stake.

Director Biography – Luis Sandoval

Borned in 1980, Chillán City, Chile.
Studied Psychology at Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Over the last 17 years, has dedicated his time to create independent film content. A brief filmic work resume:
– Director, Screenwriter, Producer – Short Film (“Dead End”) 2022.
– Screenwriter – Director – Music Videoclip “La Partida…” (2022)
– Co-Director – Music Videoclip “Memento Mori” (2022)
– Screenwriter – TV Film / Serie (In development. Drama) 2022.
– Director, Screenwriter, Producer – Short Film (“Delirium Love” – Stage play adaptation of “Fool For Love”, by Sam Shepard) 2022.
– General Producer, Director – Audiovisual Projects (Perrera Arte, Cultural Center) 2021/2022.

This movie is the story of a happy family!

The son of the family is antisocial and psychopathic by nature, who judges women by the smell of their cosmetics!
He believes that the smell of a decent woman’s cosmetics is different from an indecent one!
He even classifies bees.
Prostitute or chaste, that is the question!
Like an interrogator, he openly tortures his sisters mentally and emotionally.

A woman who is highly punctual in her daily life encounters a series of paranormal phenomenons related to her partner, which ultimately forces her to confront the love tragedy she had long denied.

Director Biography – Haibo Wang

Wang Haibo is an emerging director and screenwriter currently living in Beijing, China. His latest internationally award-winning short film Someone Who is Punctual mainly focuses on mental abuse to reveal broader social issues behind. Haibo owns different educational backgrounds including a MSE degree on computer animation, a Ph.D. degree on theater and cinema studies and an advanced study program on film directing in Beijing Film Academy, he is also a visiting scholar at the School of Cinematic Arts in the University of Southern California. Wang Haibo is currently working on a feature film script and developing his own fiction novels and short stories which are supposed to be published in the near future.

A corresponding-style film to the friendships that I have lost over the years as an immigrant from Hong Kong.

Director Biography – Anthony Lee

Hong Konger, filmmaker. Lives and works in Vancouver.

Short film made in argentina in the quarantine
Through the camera we enter a crime scene

Director Biography – Sebastian Vaina

TV producer cameraman.
From 2006 to the present, working in the production company Endemol Argentina.

A short film set in a handmade, flooding city, this part love-story, part eco-fantasy, imagines a woman’s unexpected metamorphosis in the face of romantic and coastal decay. Made with puppetry, miniature sets, and wearable sculpture, the film follows a couple embracing as their apartment floods entirely. A seemingly straight apocalyptic love story, it gradually unfolds into a queer, post-human fantasy.

Director Biography – Sarah Finn

I’m a Brooklyn-based multimedia artist who creates live performance, video and film. My work explores mythic narratives set in post-industrial wastelands, to investigate humanity’s spiritual and ethical unknowns. Using surreal storytelling, video, physical performance, and puppetry, I make worlds where queer and beyond-human futures emerge from modern ruins.

The narrator films a Montreal alley, just to see. In doing so, he suffers from a heart attack. Between life and death, he reviews what he has lived, but also what he could have lived. And what he will live? In the future. If he does not die there.

Director Biography – Olivier van Malderghem

Olivier van Malderghem seeks to combine reflection on film and audiovisual narration. This search for a balance between theory and practice was first conducted as part of a doctorate in philosophy (ULB) and a master’s degree in editing (INSAS).
He has also been professor at IHECS and the University of Montreal.
Today, he focuses exclusively on production and directing.
He has produced and directed several short films (Au Circuit, The Hanged Dog Tree, Lea’s voice, Darkness). Then, he produced and directed a feature film: Rondo. This film, “Impeccably produced both narratively and stylistically” (Elisabeth Kerr, Hollywood Reporter), has been be selected to compete in three class A festivals: Mostra de Sao Paulo and Busan (Korea), Festival des Films du Monde (Montréal).
He made too documentary feature films: Film-Flamme (Flammable Film) ; Off Limits, on the cinema of Jaco Van Dormael; Masks; Sextuor; Reinita (in progress).

Most teens and adults in their early 20’s are thinking about college and their futures, but Jessica has Cystic Fibrosis, a terminal illness. Through Jessica’s art, poetry and the close bond with her Mother, she navigates life with prolonged hospital stays, an inability to keep up with her peers physically and even a near-death experience (NDE). After an intense double lung transplant, Jessica is finally able to be like everyone else, normal. She dives head first into living life to the fullest, knowing that it could all disappear with the slightest sign of sickness. But it’s not her life that she worries about, it’s what her mom will do without her when the inevitable happens.

Director Biography – Riley Rheyan

Riley Rheyan attended the award winning Vancouver Film School in 2011 after graduating high-school with an arts bursary. After Film School she began working in the film and television industry and working on indie projects exploring writing and directing.

In 2015 Riley was accepted into the Fulfilling Young Artist Mentorship Program with Kyra Zagorsky (Continuum, 2015) as her Mentor. Shortly thereafter she worked on the award winning Crazy8’s film “No Reservations” as a Production Manager.

Riley continues to work on Union projects as a producer or director assistant, taking every opportunity to learn on the job and has worked with some amazing industry mentors including David Heyman (Harry Potter Movies, Producer), Bill Johnson (I love You Man, Producer) and Cinco Paul (Despicable Me, Writer).

Riley’s latest project “Cherry Blossoms in March”, won over 11 laurels for the script. Her script “Bleed” won the worldwide Raindance 3-2-1 screenplay competition 2020 with a debut screening in London in 2021.

Set in the desolate wreckage of Beirut’s Piccadilly Theater after decades of war, the film recounts three days in the life of a writer and actors. As they seek to revive the ghostly theater with a production of Sophocles’ “Elektra,” the actors witness the vivid dreams of the writer who has to confront the contempt and lies of the two-faced actors and ultimately her own murder.

Director Biography – Hisham Bizri

Hisham Bizri is a film director, writer, and producer born in Beirut, Lebanon. He started working in cinema as an assistant director to Raúl Ruiz in NYC and to Miklós Jancsó in Budapest.
Bizri has directed 29 short films and has written a number of screenplays adapted from Gilgamesh, Jorge Luis Borges, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Al-Tayyib Salih, and James Joyce. In 2023, he released “Elektra,” his first feature film which he also wrote and co-produced with Mirna Shbaro in Beirut.

Bizri studied filmmaking in the US and taught at Boston, MIT, NYU, the University of Chicago, UC Davis, and the University of Minnesota, as well as in Lebanon, Korea, Japan, Ireland, France, and Jordan where he founded a number of filmmaking programs. Most recently, he has served as a tenured Professor of Filmmaking and Screenwriting at Brown University.
Bizri’s work has been shown in international venues including Sundance, Beirut, Oberhausen, Tribeca, VideoEx, Mizna, Montpelier, Athens, San Francisco, Pesaro, Moscow, Ismailia, 25FPS Croatia, Brussels Palais des Beaux-Arts, and Abu Dhabi film festivals. He also exhibited at the Louvre, Institut du Monde Arabe, Cinémathèque Française, Centre Pompidou, MoMa, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Jeu de Paume, Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art, Harvard and Anthology Film Archives (NY), among others.

He is recipient of awards such as the McKnight, Salomon, LEF, Jerome, Bogliasco, Rockefeller, Ford, Guggenheim, Cairo International Film Festival Special Jury Prize for best screenplay, and the Rome Prize from the American Academy. In 2017, he was awarded The Andrei Tarkovsky Prize for best director.
In 2005, Bizri co-founded The Arab Institute of Film in Jordan with the late Syrian filmmaker Omar Amiralay and Danish producer Jakob Høgel, with support from the International Media Support (Copenhagen) and the Ford Foundation (NYC). He served as Producer at Future TV (Beirut), Creative Director of Orbit Communications Company (Rome), and President & Creative Director of Levantine Films (NYC).

In 2019, he founded Mimera Films, his own film practice studio. Bizri is currently living in Berlin and working on “Jesus of Nazareth,” a feature film he adapted from a screenplay written by the Danish film director Carl Theodor Dreyer. His other directorial project is a feature film he wrote after James Joyce’s “Ulysses.”

A young man trapped in isolation finds himself living in an endless cycle of repetition. As the days pass, the harsh reality of his life begins to take its toll. His mental health deteriorates as he can’t break free from his self-imprisonment.

Note this is a PRIVATE LINK

Director – Andros Georgiou

Two young girl friends are spending summer days together while one of them is going through personal changes. In the course of their everyday conversations, deeper layers of yearning and hidden corners of the human soul are slowly revealed to us.

Director – Vid Mercun

Director Statement

“Desire in You” is a summer story about two young girls, best friends, talking and contemplating about topics like relationships, sex, love, heartbreaks, loneliness, mortality … and slowly we dive into main protagonist’s subconscious. For the casting, I described the film as Gilmore Girls meets David Lynch with French New Wave vibe. The film is about moments when we desperately seek salvation in love. Desire paints an imaginary picture and instills hope in the future, so we can easily cope with the loneliness in real life. This means that every disappointment and heartbreak hits hard and sets off a stream of thought of despair that unearths other repressed worries and fears. This is the moment when we are forced to face ourselves. The dark side of desire is actually fear. Behind the non-fulfillment of wishes lies the fear that they will never come true. Through the dynamics and perspective of two young girls, we explore the different layers of desire. From the fleeting, shallow ones that direct our attention, to the long lasting, deep ones that are the driving force of life.

This Gujarati Feature Film tells the story of Meera, an illiterate widow.

Due to the atrocities of the men of the male dominated society, Meera’s life becomes hellish.

Married happily to Nirmal in the early stages of her life, Meera was in love and her life passed effortlessly without any hindrance. But at times, life becomes harsh. The same thing happened to Meera, her world collapsed; She lost her husband tragically.

As time went on, Meera now raised a voice against social oppression. Meera became self-reliant through self-employment, inspiring and making thousands of other disabled, uneducated and widowed women self-reliant and setting a self-respecting example of women’s empowerment. She went on and made a fortune through the help of Dairy Co-operative Society and contributed majorly in Milk Production, and set a great example of entrepreneurship for her fellow villagers. This film is inspired by Milk Co-operative Movement also known as White Revolution in India.

Meera sets an exemplary lesson of Women Empowerment and Self Reliance for the oppressive-minded misogynistic villagers.

Director Biography – Dilip Harnarayan Dixit

Started the journey in mid 80s as a photographer journalist for various film magazines in India for over a decade.

Went on to work in Bollywood for prominent projects as Assistant Director of Photography around mid 90s.

Successfully shot various documentaries, one of which was the AIDS awareness program initiated by the Government of India, which played a significant role in spreading awareness about AIDS in early and mid 90s, at such times when the information outreach was not convenient.

Then shot over a 100 short films and Ad Films as a Director as well as Director of Photography.

With rich experience in the entertainment industry, directed a feature film ‘Meera’.

Director Statement

I have created this project ‘MEERA’ right from the inception and hand-crafted the dialogue and screenplay of the entire film. I wish to deliver content driven projects and will continue to do so.

A girl runs through the outskirts of a small town, fleeing from an invisible enemy. Her name is Sara. Apparently, she is looking for someone to play with, but above all she wants to find Bea, her best friend, hoping that finding Bea will calm her grief. On her running away, she meets several characters who, without fully understanding why she acts like this, will shed light on the reasons for her distress.

Director Biography – Fernando Pliego García

Born in 1972, he works as programmer, but combines his job with a regulate career as amateur cineast since 2011. Graduated in Image and Sound at the Complutense University of Madrid in 1995, he has been camara operator in several Javier López Velasco shorts (Vivir soñando, Ansiedad Express). Mourning (Duelo) is his tenth shortfilm. Between his previous works, more important ones could be Do you hear me? (¿Me oyes?, 2011), Family Portrait (Foto de familia, 2013), How do you like it? (¿Cómo te gusta?, 2015) and, especially, The Ball (La pelota, 2017), best Iberiamerican Short in Iberofest 2018 and Best International ShortFilm in XI Edizione Corto e Cultura Film Festival in Manfredonia, between other awards and more than 60 international selections.

A hitman thinks he’s on a routine mission, but he’s got another think coming.

Director Biography – TL WESTGATE

TL Westgate was born in Michigan, but settled in Florida as his home starting in the fifth grade. As a graduate from Florida State, he has worked in the video production industry for over 20 years and won several industry awards (Emmy, Telly, Marcom).

In 2010 he began getting serious about filmmaking and has traveled the world to support his films in festivals. They have played in fests around the world and won several awards. He also enjoys photography and has two adult sons. He currently teaches at the Los Angeles Film School.

This Saturday is a Turkish wedding day at Espace Venise (France). Huddled in a car in the parling lot, Fatih, 21, wants to get married. He has set his sights on Ipek, Recep’s sister. But neither Murat, his best friend, nor Recep, nor even Ipek are aware of this yet.

Director Biography – Onur Yagiz

DIRECTOR’S BIOGRAPHY

Onur Yagiz (1986) was born in France to Turkish parents. He studied literature, theatre and film at the Sorbonne-Nouvelle University, before directing “Patika” (2013) and “Toprak” (2017). Fatih the Conqueror is his third film.

Director Statement

DIRECTOR’S FILMOGRAPHY

FATIH THE CONQUEROR (15’, 1.85, Color, BAXTER Films, 2023)
TOPRAK (11’, 1.33, Black and White, Les Films VELVET, 2017)
PATIKA (23’, 2.35, Color, Les films VELVET, 2013)

Director Biography – Riley Rheyan

Director Statement

The title ‘Cherry Blossoms in March’ is based on my sister Jessica’s favorite flower, the cherry blossom, which just so happens to bloom and fade in March. Poetically, Jessica was born in March and passed away in March shortly before her 24th birthday. The day she died was the earliest I’ve ever seen the Cherry Blossoms bloom.

A few years after, my step-mom was ready to look through Jessica’s belongings to figure out what to keep. This is how I found her poetry, a whole other side to my sister that I never knew, all there in writing. This was the moment I knew I had to make a film.

I developed the script based off of one poem that particularly struck a chord with me, ‘Spontaneous Combustion’. In it she described what it felt like to die, the moment she experienced her NDE (near death experience) and what going through a 14 hour double lung transplant was like while on a cocktail of medications. I wanted to explore the emotions and disorientation of her experience, through film.

I started writing while also reading more about how she felt, talking to doctors, therapists and all these people who are supposed to guide her through navigating life and death situations while never experiencing such things themselves. The irony.

I decided to focus on the relationship between her and her mother and her struggle to feel normal and live the life she wanted while living with cystic fibrosis, a terminal illness. In order to express her experiences as truthful to her as I could, I incorporated her artwork and doodles from notebooks, sketchbooks, and school work into the film as an expression of her inner life. In her own words ‘my body just can’t keep up’ so instead her world was drawing, art, poetry and video games. Everything you can do from a hospital bed.

This is the world she lived in, and the world many CF patients live in. It’s completely different from my own world and through telling her story I’ve been able to understand her so much more deeply than I did when she was alive.

This version of the film is a festival cut at 7min in length which is part of a longer film 17min and 47sec. All other aspects of the film (cast, crew, cost) listed is based on the full version.

My hope for this film is that it offers a glimpse into an entirely different life, with different rules, different circumstances and allows people to imagine what life would be like as someone with CF. It’s a rare disease that doesn’t have much representation in media or art and my hope is that her story raises awareness of people living with cystic fibrosis and what they go through.

In Ireland, “If you’re hungry enough, you’ll dig up the tar on the road with your teeth to get a vote.” It’s not only the other parties who are a threat to you; it’s your running mate. Indeed, it is the internal rivalry that can be the most “bitter and acrimonious”, as well as the “more entertaining.” Based upon three decades of ethnographic research, “All Politics is Local” is the story of a rural Irish election campaign that becomes as suspenseful as it is surprising; a memorable drama with a vivid cast of characters – leading to an unexpectedly poignant conclusion.

Director Biography – Chris Eipper, Declan Mortimer Eipper

An anthropologist, novelist and poet, Chris Eipper has, since 1975, conducted extensive ethnographic research in Ireland. “All Politics is Local” is part of a larger study of the interplay between community and national dynamics in Irish society.

Declan completed a Bachelor and Master of Film & Television at the Victorian College of the Arts. His short films screened in over 35 international festivals, “I Suppose I Had It Coming” winning the Grand Prix at the L’Etrange Festival. Canal+ purchased the television rights , screening it in 44 countries.

Director Statement

Our film is an ethnographic documentary, not a journalistic or commercial documentary. It seeks to depict events as they actually occurred so as to illuminate the key dynamics shaping motivations, actions and consequences. It does so by making a participant-observer of the camera and microphone. No scenes are staged, no fake reaction shots are included, all scene sequences are chronological and there is no explanatory voice-over narration. The story has been edited to tell itself — condensing some 99 hours of footage to fewer than that many minutes. Rather than simplifying the complexities, instead of eliminating the intricacies, it explores them as ethnographers must when we set about trying to depict lives as they have been lived.

This DocuStory film shares conversations on wellness featuring unique stories from various personal and professional experiences and seasons of life. These eye-opening conversations share the impact the Indigenous community is making on awareness for the importance of liver health rooted in traditional culture and ways of life. These conversations put emphasis on looking forward to teaching future generations the importance of the liver, and how imperative it is to overall health and well-being.

Co-created and produced with First Nations and Metis community members in Alberta.

Director Biography – Kate P.R. Dunn

Kate Dunn is an Anishinaabe woman who works in a collaborative role increasing awareness and access to Hepatitis C treatment and cure for Indigenous communities in Alberta. Bringing a background in nursing, a master’s in public health, and recently as part of this media project, a Doctorate in Social Sciences at Royal Roads University focusing on Indigenous Health. Kate’s director debut in this Wisdom Seeking research project spends time with Indigenous Knowledge Holders listening to memories, stories, and perspectives on traditional health and liver wellness in co-creating a visual story relevant for all ages.

Director Statement

Through conversations in a clinical role with Indigenous community members and healthcare team members the gap in culturally connected awareness resources for liver health was highlighted and directly correlated to the low engagement in screening and treatment for hepatitis C. This motivated conversations with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and a journey to co-create a resource focusing on the traditional approach of sharing knowledge through story, paired with land-based visuals, as a way of using media to share cultural perspectives focusing on wellness. Although inspired by my Grandmother and the health literacy issues she faced as an Indigenous woman, this creative journey involved Indigenous community members across Alberta and would not be possible without their love, time, patience and advice guiding this journey to incorporate both a traditional Indigenous wellness perspective with a medical background in health education.
Special gratitude and honor to all my relations and to the creative family who supported this project:

Elders Co-Designing the Script
Jeanette Wildman (Stoney Nakoda First Nation)
Kehew (Enoch Cree First Nation)
Emil Durocher (Fishing Lake Metis Settlement)
Frank Daniels (Cree First Nation)
Alice Kaquitts (Stoney Nakoda First Nation)
Doreen Spence (Saddle Lake First Nation)
Edmee Comstock (Red River Metis Settlement)
Maurice Little Wolf (Piikani First Nation)

Director / Producer
Kate Dunn (Mississauga First Nation)

Indigenous Community Creative Partners
Bonnie Weasel Moccasin (Kainai First Nation)
Mercedes Russell (Kainai First Nation)
Eithan Carter (Sikisika First Nation)
Kendra Jessie Rosychuck (Sucker Creek First Nation)
Haley Shade (Kainai First Nation)
Harley Crowshoe (Piikani First Nation)

Videographers
Rene Collins (Metis)
Kate Dunn (Mississauga First Nation)

Graphic Artist
Katriona Dunn (Mississauga First Nation)

Music
Olivia Tailfeathers (Kainai First Nation)
Sherryl Sewepagaham (Little Red River Cree First Nation)

Tinkerer Aaron Turner learned when he was very young to not buy things if he could make them. As an adult, his passion for making things led him to create Noggin, a marvelous remote-controlled rowing boat. This is the story of how a lifelong love of science, engineering, and ingenuity led to something much larger than life. Even if it is at a much smaller scale. Suitable for all ages.

A woman sells her daughter’s bracelets for her sake
(Children are the most vulnerable group in society.who are exposed to direct influxes of disasters, pressures and problems of life caused by the elderly)
(ژنێک بازنەکانی کچەکەی دەفرۆشێت بە خاتر کچەکەی -منداڵان لاوازترین کەسانێکن کە راستەوخۆ لە ژێر تەوژمی گەورەساڵاندان )kurdish
زنی النگوهای دخترش را به خاطر او می فروشد. کودکان آسیب پذیرترین گروه از اقشار جامعه هستند که در معرض مستقیم فشار بزرگترها قراردارند

Director Biography – mohammad ferajzade

I was born in 1975. Making 10 short films. Attend several international festivals. I selected the 11th International 100th International Iranian Film Festival. I have a diploma of honor from this festival.

2017 – fest100 (Winner of Award candidate for Best Film Festival – statue of the Festival, diploma and cash award for Best documentary of the experience to 30 million rials)

Iranian short documentary ‘Dance of Love’ has succeeded to win two main awards of the 5th NAFCo Winter Film Festival in the United States.
Directed and produced by Mohammad Farajzadeh, the documentary received the Best Documentary and Best Film awards at the 2021 NAFCo.

Director Statement

Zahra is a middle-aged woman who visits a temporary marriage agency and signs up to have a young working girl. She picks her up to take her home but the girl (Negar) who has never had a female client before, becomes suspicious of Zahra’s intent and sexual orientation.

Director Biography – Alireza Kazemipour

After graduating from university with a Bachelor in Physics, he decided to follow his passion for writing by attending a screenwriting course (school). Thereafter, he started his career as a screenwriter in 1999.
In last 20 years, he has collaborated in more than 22 TV-series (more than 600 episodes), 3 features, and 14 teleplays as a creator, writer, head-writer or co-writer in different genres e.g. drama, comedy, horror, and thriller and has obtained some important national awards for his scripts.
In 2010, Alireza Kazemipour got his master’s degree in Cinema directing from faculty of art at the University of Tehran, where, he started teaching “Screenwriting for TV and Cinema” after graduation. He has held several screenplay writing workshops and has also participated in different festivals as a jury.
He also directed a documentary film “Cinema Maragheh” in 2020 that is in the post-production process.

During the spanish post-war period, in a village of the Catalan Pyrenees an undertaker, distressed because his life is immersed in misfortune, kills a person to collect money from the burial. The atrocities of the war and the acts of the past will come to light when a girl discovers the murder and starts blackmailing him.

Director Biography – Eudald Corominas

Eudald Corominas Vima. He studied Higher Technician in Production of Audiovisual Projects and Shows at EMAV but, wanting to delve deeper into cinema, he graduates in Cinema and Audiovisual Media at ESCAC in the direction specialty. After collaborating on multiple projects, at the age of twenty-six he writes and directs his first short film called ‘Inheritance’.

Vito has been undergoing therapy for mental disorders for some time but he continually hears a voice and has visual hallucinations. Realizing the uselessness of drugs, Vito acquires a new self-awareness: he understands what appears crazy to others is nothing more than an integral part of his life or at least of his past.

Director Biography – Valentina Galdi

Valentina Galdi was born in Battipaglia (SA) on 17th, January 1995. She attended the Commercial Technical Institute and completed her studies with top marks. She graduated in Economics and Business Management and then he achivied a 1st Level Master Degree in Marketing Management dealing with the topic of “Cinematographic Marketing” in both final papers.
She took her first steps in Arts in 2015/2016 with a marginal collaboration in set design for an amateur feature film and with the foundation of a non-professional independent film production company called “The Gladiator Company”. After that she realized a series of short films, commercials and video clips, and she won the prize as Best Trailer at the Cortocircuito Savigliano Film Festival with her first written and directed short film titled “Quel che non ti dirò mai – Words Unsaid”.
In the meantime she achivied different courses in scriptwriting with Dominick Tambasco and assistant directing with Gianluca Fabrizio.
She also attended theatre workshop with Matteo Salsano and Chiara De Vita.
Are to be mentioned, then, the writing of the screenplay for a professional awarded short film in Italy (“Usura”, 2019) and of a theatrical monologue for At The Root Theatre in Scotland (“Superheroes”, 2020).

Set in a world running parallel to our own pandemic-gripped reality, ISOLATION dips into the life of John (Alexander Johnson), a young man sequestered in his high-rise apartment, waiting in tandem with a paused outside world swept up in illness. Even locked doors in the sky can be knocked upon, however, and when his past comes knocking, his isolation is rocked.

Director Biography – Justin MacGregor

Justin grew up in Canada’s beautiful Okanagan Valley. He is the co-founder of Roguescots, a commercial videography and narrative film production house, based in Vancouver, Canada.

There once was a lady from the sea, born from the corals and the currents, the tides and the waves. These are the lessons that she taught me.

Director Biography – Emmett Sparling

Emmett Sparling has been creating films for the past few years on his travels. He is constantly inspired by nature and the power of the ocean.

Director Statement

This is the first short film I’ve made in quite a while and I’m super excited to share it. Chelsea and I spent 17 days in French Polynesia filming this video. The first half of the trip felt like an uphill battle. Everything we tried shooting didn’t feel “right” and we were feeling pretty uninspired, even in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
In a wave of creativity and energized focus, Chelsea and I came up with the concept for ‘Lady of the Sea’ and excitedly wrote the beginnings of the narrative down in my journal.
The moment Chelsea got in the water wearing the dress, we knew this would be a pretty unique project.

A not-quite-influencer takes his vlogging to a new level when he moonlights as a private detective…

(Season 1 is seven 5-minute episodes for 36m TRT; link is to episode playlist; if only one episode is allowed, please view Episode 4; if only three, view 3, 4, and 5.)

Director – Steven Ellis

When a wife realizes her husband is living out his dream as a stand up comic, she feels that she has lost her purpose.

Director – Maria Filippone

A man looking to buy a snake gets far more than he bargained for as he is drawn into a mysterious woman’s home of exotic reptiles. “Thena loves her precious reptiles, and closely questions any who come to buy one. The worthy may gain a reptile, but those who are not may lose their lives!”
“You don’t bait a spider in her web, or a lion in her den. Dare you meet Thena in the Reptile House?”
“No fake snakes!”

Director Biography – Tristan Risk

Onscreen sorceress, Tristan Risk, known for her offbeat acting roles in genre film and outlandish stage performances, is a sophomore filmmaker. Having already penned and directed one short film, Parlour Tricks, she returns behind the camera to show her teeth and tricks, to showcase her love for neo-giallo colours, femme fatales, and her reptile collection. Tristan Risk is known for preferring the company of reptiles to people.

Tristan Risk is an actor, writer/director, and a provocative burlesque/circus performer. She is perhaps best known for acting in unique genre feature films such as: Aliens Stole my Body (2020), Rabid (2019), Amazon Hot Box (2018), Odissea della Morte (2018), Harvest Lake (2017), Ayla (2017), Frankenstein Created Bikers (2016), The Editor (2014), and American Mary (2012). She has performed around the world with Caravan of Curiosities and her TCS Reptiles. She has recently moved into writing and directing with her short films Parlour Tricks and most recently Reptile House (2020), which features many of the TCS Reptiles and world class prosthetic practical effects..

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm2021381

One night. Three women. Three generations. A grandmother, a mother and a daughter are about to lose Lila, the pet that has joined them for the past 20 years. This will expose their unresolved conflicts: their fears, their mistakes, their secrets… And how much they need each other. Tonight, they not only face a bitter farewell, but the distance that had separated them until now, and they will discover if they are able to walk that path… Or if they will have to keep walking alone.

Director Biography – Lamberto Guerra

English:

Lamberto Guerra (Gran Canaria, Spain, 1984)

Lamberto Guerra is an actor and director with almost 20 years of experience in film, theater and television.
He began his training in the year 2000 in film acting, his main activity, and co-stars several feature films, short films, and some of the greatest successes in theater history in the Canary Islands, such as “The Mousetrap”. On television he is recognized for his role in the hit series “La Revoltosa”, his participation in international productions such as “East Willy B” (USA), “Geld Macht Liebe” (Germany), “Peacemaker” (Finland) or “Love Me” (Sweden), and nationally the series “The Room”, for HBO, with Francesc Garrido and Goya Toledo, and the upcoming series “Grasa”, by Diffferent Entertainment for Playz.es, TVE.

As director and screenwriter, he co-writes the script for “Crónicas del Desencanto”, Daniel León Lacave’s first feature film, and is the author of several short films selected and awarded internationally, such as “Nice Song”, “What we don’t see”, with more than 50 international selections and 11 awards at festivals in Spain, Argentina, France or Germany, among others, “Nuts” and “Lila”, his last work as director, funded by TEA (Tenerife Space of the Arts) and Cabildo de Tenerife , all distributed by Digital 104 Film Distribution.

He has a degree in Translation and Interpretation, has also been President of the Union of Actors of the Canary Islands and Secretary of Organization of CONARTE (National Confederation of Artists of Spain) between 2013 and 2017, and currently combines his projects in film, theater and television with teaching, his other great passion, as acting coach, acting teacher and directing actors for the camera.

Sab Rab De Bande brings forth the various challenges that LGBTQ Sikhs grapple with and the different ways in which they reconcile their faith and gender/sexual identities. The documentary, through interviews with LGBTQ Sikhs, captures the varied experiences of queer Sikhs. Featured in the documentary are five different people with different gender and sexual identities and belonging to different parts of India. By tracking their life, the documentary seeks to find answers to questions like: Did their religious identity (and teachings) come in conflict with their sexual/gender identity, or did they find strength in the teachings of their religion and religious identity? What was the reaction of their family when they came out? Did they oppose it in terms of religion? How did the lack of visibility and representation of queer Sikhs in media and online spaces affect them while growing up? What kind of discrimination they face within the queer community, which idolizes a clean shaved look? What did they feel growing up as a Sikh and a queer person?

Director – Sukhdeep Singh

How To Fall in Love in a Brothel. Set in 1960 Incheon, South Korea. As a young country is struggling through rebuilding after the Korean War, two young Koreans struggling to find their place in a hard world, find love in an unexpected and unlikely setting. Showing what is possible in life when two people happen to cross paths.

Director Biography – Sunhui Chang

Sunhui Chang was born in Korea and grew up on the island of Guam, where he fell in love with the movies at weekly double features—and with food in the kitchen of his mother’s restaurant. He started writing while studying Sociology at UC Berkeley. After the university, he focused on his passion for food and the culinary arts, as a journeyman cook. He then started his own boutique catering business, and later became the Chef and Owner of an award-winning restaurant—FuseBOX—in Oakland, CA. He was also the Media and Communications Strategist for University of California’s Immigrant Legal Services Center, which provided immigrant legal services to all students and their families. He is now focusing on his writing and film making.

How to Fall in Love in a Brothel is his first film. It is a short excerpt from a longer script for a miniseries that tells the story of a Korean family’s immigration to Guam. He is currently working on a second installment of a planned three-part series.

Director Statement

I have always been in love with the power of a good story in whatever form it may take. Being able to tell the story of How To Fall in Love in a Brothel on film was a growing experience of learning how to communicate my story through the magic of moving picture frames. As a Korean American that straddles both worlds, How To Fall in Love in a Brothel is the telling of a neglected but important fabric that weaves the history of the Korean diaspora and the history of American immigration.

Prominent advocate for missing and murdered women along the Highway of Tears and across Canada, Gladys Radek shares insights from her life’s journey and her fight for rights in Canada.

Director Biography – Jaylene Matthews

My name is Jaylene Matthews and I live in Northwest BC. I am a video journalist who is passionate about storytelling. My goal in media is to tell stories that encourage empathy and understanding, as well as showcase diverse beauty in all forms of life.

Director Statement

I first met Gladys Radek when I was working as a reporter in Terrace, BC, just before the National Inquiry into Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls. Gladys’ strength, wisdom, and determination absolutely compelled me, as did the gravity and tragedy of Missing & Murdered Women along the Highway of Tears and in all of Canada, which Gladys has worked tirelessly to bring to light. I hope that this film will help others to better understand those affected by this tragedy, and help to inspire the drive to make change.

John Fischer photographs affairs for a private investigator. A new client wants more than just photos of her husbands infidelity. The lies, deception, and the cold truth about this Femme Fatale will leave John devastated to the core…

Director Biography – Ishwar L. Maisuria

After graduating from Vancouver film school, Ishwar worked as an office and production assistant at Cannell Studios on several television shows. He also gained experience in post-production as assistant editor on feature films by North American Pictures. At 24 he set up Mya Studios Inc. and wrote his first full-length screenplay. He proceeded to produce, direct, and exhibit it, all just before he turned 26. This achievement instilled in Ishwar a strong and real sense of purpose and confidence, not to mention solid, in the field experience a few can claim at age 26. To this day, Ishwar remains erudite and passionate about the vibrant world of movies and filmmaking, and infuses all his projects and collaborations with an unrivaled ethic of commitment, dedication, and discipline. Ishwar’s repertoire includes an eclectic mix of shorts and feature films, screenplays, documentaries, TV shows, music videos, commercials, corporate videos, and photography; And a myriad of projects in development. As some of his projects have taken him to Europe, Asia and the Pacific Islands, Ishwar is well traveled and worldly. His fervor and strong aspiration to learn more about world cinema was instrumental in his acceptance into the MFA program at Simon Fraser University, Canada where he completed two years of study. His research explored styles, influences, codes and spectatorship in different popular cinemas of the world. Ishwar continues to watch, study, make, and show movies. He is based in Vancouver BC. Canada.

Director Statement

Story ideas for movies must come from the most private and perceptive avatars one’s created for oneself. As they say write what you know. And ideas will be possibly authentic, if you somewhat know thyself, or in some cases know thy-selves. Good stories are also derived from real – life experiences, events, episodes. The story of In The End is remotely and very loosely based on a series of serious events and the ensuing feelings that were somewhat real. I am glad I’ve been able to flash out and assimilate a story, if only thematically, into an engaging photo play…

Three climate depressed parents meet dancing musicians, and learn the joy in taking action.

Director Biography – Janne Tavares

Building on his background as theatre composer, and more lately as film editor, Janne has directed a couple of short musicals and music videos

Genre: Satire, Meta-Cinema

Synopsis: Frustrated with a Canadian film industry that repeatedly typecasts her due to a barely-detectable accent, Ewa learns to make the most out of what makes her different… but not before she confronts an online troll.

Director Biography – Erik Anderson

Erik Anderson is an orphan of Canadian cinema. Self taught, he began making short films out of pocket in 2002, and by 2011 completed his first no-budget feature while pursuing an Honours Degree in Political Science at Concordia University in Montreal. His latest no-budget feature, the meta-modernist 4-hour epic, ‘My Thesis Film: A Thesis Film by Erik Anderson,’ started as his MFA graduate film at York University, and was named as one of Canada’s Top Ten features in 2019 by The Globe & Mail. His most recent film, the short satire ‘Ewa Goes Viral,’ debuted at the 40th FIN Atlantic International Film Festival, and has since been nominated for three LEO Awards.

Director Statement

Ewa and I used to get together for beers every so often. The topic of conversation was always the same: how difficult it was to get anywhere in the Canadian film industry. I had my gripes as a filmmaker: finding funding, getting festivals to watch their submissions, etc. And Ewa had hers as well: she wasn’t finding any satisfying parts as an actor… and she was pretty sure it was because of her face. Her face, she explained, is instantly identifiable as Eastern European. Thus, she always ended up playing Russians. But she’s not Russian… and I couldn’t tell that about her face.

Now, if you’re like me, you might feel there’s something oddly amusing in all this. If you’re like Ewa, there’s no humour in this to be found. But if you’re like me again, you might feel there’s ALSO something amusing in NOT finding anything amusing about it. So I set out to make something that would please both of us… something about feeling overlooked in the industry, feeling gripe-y about it, yet finding the resilience to press onwards anyway.

And then while I was writing, a funny thing happened… Ewa went viral.

Ratings Rate Project

This project has not yet been rated.

Notes

Send a copy to the submitter.

Director Biography – Erik Anderson

Ruben Pla survived growing up in the dangerous Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City…surrounded by gangs and violence. He stuck to his studies and went to college in Miami, majoring in Theatre Arts. Upon graduation, he returned to New York, and began his film and TV acting career. To get his film chops, he plunged in and worked on scores of N.Y.U. student films, which proved to be a tremendous training ground for gaining on-set experience. He then relocated to Los Angeles to test those waters. There, he has performed in many TV shows including HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, “24”, WEEDS, CRIMINAL MINDS, CSI: MIAMI, WITHOUT A TRACE, and EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND. Feature films include INSIDIOUS, MALIGNANT, CONTRACTED, BIG ASS SPIDER, FETISH FACTORY, CHEAP THRILLS, and CHEMICAL PEEL. Ruben is now branching into directing. THE HORROR CROWD is his feature directorial debut.

Features

Various characters must overcome challenges as they journey through the forest of the subconscious

Director – Peter Jonas

All I Want For Christmas Is You – A Holiday Romance

In the snowy magic of Lake Tahoe, rising singer Ashley Miles is finally healing after losing the love of her life to a winter storm. Just as she finds comfort in a new romance, Christmas delivers an unexpected miracle—her lost love returns, desperate to reunite.

Now, torn between the past and a promising future, Ashley must follow her heart in a timeless tale of love, longing, and the magic of Christmas.

If you can imagine “The Notebook” meeting “Before We Go,” that’s the kind of energy and emotion this film carries — tender, hopeful, and deeply resonant.

Director Biography – Ashish Chanana

Critically acclaimed, Director, Aashish Chanana works passionately and believes that powerful films and important stories can bring awareness in our world and contribute towards a positive change.
His recent film AFREEN (on anti terrorism) which won him over 65 Best Film and Best Director Nominations and 4 National Awards.
http://aashishchanana.com/

We are all connected in this infinite universe—like the colors of a rainbow: distinct and unique, yet intrinsically aligned.

At the heart of this film is Dada—a cancer patient, photographer, and the narrator who weaves the stories together. He embarks on a journey to create a film that captures the tapestry of human experiences.

We meet Koko, an infant bursting with energy who grows into a curious toddler. Her working mother is her entire world. Koko’s innocence quietly echoes the fundamental laws of human emotion and interaction.

Bobby, a trans woman, struggles against the weight of a conformist and normative society that fails to understand her identity. Aiban, a boxer and athlete from Northeast India (a Khasi tribal), dedicates his life to working with Adivasi (Tribal) children in remote tribal areas, determined to make a difference. And then there is Kapil, a gifted musician and composer, caught in the throes of procrastination and creative block—trapped within a mental mirage.

Each of them faces their own existential dilemmas. Yet, as we follow their journeys, we come to realize that within our diverse realities lies a profound unity—one that transcends class, color, gender, and creed.

This film was created on a modest budget of less than USD 24,000, driven by the constraints of limited resources, however, it makes up for in spirit. It is a product of collective belief, collaboration, and a deep commitment to pluralism and inclusivity.

Rooted in the subaltern realities of India, this is truly a film of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Director Biography – Anwesh

A trained student of Performing Arts, he began his career designing and writing campaigns as well as composing jingles. Subsequently, he joined the Indian Civil Services and serves as a bureaucrat, while simultaneously pursuing his passion for street theatre, directing, and composing music videos and short films. Cinema has remained an inseparable part of his life, and this project marks his debut feature-length film.

He firmly believes that cinema is one of the most powerful cultural mediums to reflect reality and to advocate for a pluralistic, diverse, and egalitarian society. Originating from Western Odisha, India, he has also been actively engaged as an activist, working towards improving maternal and child health and reducing mortality rates among tribal communities in Odisha and Jharkhand.

In July 2021, we discovered hidden footage on a laptop purchased at a garage sale in New York. These videos depict the bitter rivalry between two wrestlers, Gia Savitz and Frankie Firestarter. One, an LGBTQ underdog, the other, a sinister bully.

We decided to research the events surrounding their conflict as we believed an atrocity was committed. But we were not prepared for what we uncovered about Gia and Frankie during our investigation.

This is their story.

Director – J.V. Ambrose

This is a film about an observer, and a story about the Paris pulse at the turn of the century in the 1920s , which experiences the explosion of new artistic styles and becomes the epicentre of modern art.
At the same time, Paris is a meeting place of countless immigrants from other parts of Europe. They live through their hopes of artistic fame in search for their own place and self-recognition… from day to day, from hand to mouth.

Among them is a very talented young man, Veno Pilon, who was already established and a recognised painter at home in Primorska region, in Italy at that time.

A 16-year-old teenager, Vova, lives in Transnistria in the 1990s, an area affected by the Russian invasion and the aftermath of a civil war. Finding herself in an unpleasant situation, Vova asks for help from a local criminal named Gosha. He finds out that our protagonist is Moldovan by nationality and starts blackmailing Vova, forcing him to work for him. Unable to withstand gang pressure, Vova refuses to work for Gosha. He reveals the secret and Vova’s life turns into a real nightmare, having to hide from his peers to stay alive.

Akzhol – just a graduate of the orphanage, he is convinced that his father is alive and begins his search. He moves from these walls and begins his new and independent life. Having met their neighbor Dimash, they begin to earn a living by robberies and burglaries. During one of the meetings with his relative, he learns about the existence of his sibling brother, a person from a completely different social layer. Having met him, they begin to search for his father

Director Biography – Darkhan Tulegenov

Darkhan Tulegenov born in 1993 in Uralsk of Western Kazakhstan. In the age of 15 he enters the drama faculty of Z.Yelebekov college in Almaty. In 2012 he was admitted to the T.Zhurgenov national academy of arts. Participant of many national and international film festivals.

Percepter, super soldier from a dystopian future, travels back in time to save the last superhero, Phantom. But in doing so stumbles into the crosshairs of the evil Warbaron. Together Phantom and Percepter must prevent Warbaron from unravelling the time stream forever.

Director – AJ Bucci

The Double Ninth Festival, with a history of over 2,000 years, is a traditional Chinese festival. On this day, people climb to high places to pray for blessings and wish the elderly good health and long life. In Daoist culture, this day is considered an auspicious time for ascending to immortality. Therefore, the Shamanistic traditions of Northeast China, which use ‘immortals’ as spiritual mediums, have inherited this Daoist tradition and regard the Double Ninth Festival as the most important festival of the year. On this day, they hold rituals to pay homage to the immortals.
This documentary records the entire ritual process led by Wu Changshan, a shaman from Northeast China, on the Double Ninth Festival, as well as the scenes of him taking on new disciples and treating patients.

Director Biography – Qiong Wu

Qiong Wu is an independent documentary filmmaker. Devoted to realistic and national cultural themes. His documentary <Jingyang Street> 、<Summon Xian> and <Xian’s names> has been selected for several international film festivals.

This is the first-ever film adaptation of The First Man – an early and rare story from the pen of Nobel laureate and Pulitzer prize winner, Eugene O’Neill.
This psychological romantic drama set in 1920s Connecticut, delves into themes of obsession, grief and betrayal.

World renowned anthropologist Curtis is consumed by grief over his young daughters’ deaths. He finds solace in immersing himself in preparations for his upcoming expedition to Asia, where he aims to unravel the mystery of “The First Man.” However, he must confront an undercurrent of family conflict as he battles against his relatives’ unsettling suspicions that his wife Martha is carrying his best friend Bigelow’s child.

100 years after it was first published, Pulitzer and Nobel literature award winning writer Eugene O’Neill’s 1920’s story – ‘The First Man’ has been lovingly crafted as a feature film by a team of UK based film-makers led by auteur director Hardeep Giani – and this is his very first Feature film.
Director and Producer Hardeep Giani explains his vision:
‘Eugene O’neill’s incredible script was a pleasure to make into a feature film.

What we wanted to do was to make this independent film for a modern audience – to produce a story examining the conflict of love in an environment of social and family prejudice, and how a bereavement can inflict psychosis in a grieving father.’

Director Biography – Hardeep Giani

Hardeep Giani is a renowned Director and Producer in Film and Television. He has worked for the BBC, Channel 4, Talkback, RDF and Silver River television companies. Having studied film directing in New York at the NYFA and Motion Picture Pro – he has also gained qualifications from NFTS, London Film School, Raindance and Dov-Simens Producers course. His Short films Rose, Mary and Time, If You Go Away and The Years of Laughter and Forgetting have won numerous awards at film festivals. His long form documentary ‘F**K It, It’s Over’ also won many awards at film festivals and he directed the TV documentary ‘Megan and Harry: A Revolutionary Romance’. His First Feature ‘Eugene O’Neill’s – The First Man’ is due for release in 2025.

Director Statement

I am always looking to tell stories in film, and be creative on a very low budget. I love and promote Indie Film making, and champion its philosophy.

Back to his hood in the North Side of Marseille, South of France, Kaleem accepts a job in construction.
He reconnects with his best friend Rachad who wants to hire him as manager in his new sport center.
Kaleem is training hard Krump and meets a mysterious greek architect : Marie.

Director Biography – Pascal Tessaud

Pascal Tessaud was born in Paris from a working class family. He earned a Master’s degree in Cinema and Literature at Nanterre Université Paris X.

This film is a 67′ free-style music film, a video collage, a tour de force of improvisations by musicians from mainly the UK and Germany in an audio-visual dialogue with Ebba Jahn.
The result is a shrill, flashy, colorful, touching video collage full of different approaches to sound and image and the world.

Background:
I asked all improvising musicians I had worked with in the recent years to send me up to 3 single minutes of music with or without video / images for the creation of this music video collage – it was an inspiring delight to receive and work with them.

The UK musicians are also members of the OXFORD IMPROVISERS and MOPOMOSO.
Please see the attached Credit List for all musicans and other artists involved.

Director Biography – Ebba Jahn

Longing for the Soul, A Quest for Rumi, a full-length documentary film, will take the viewers on a mesmerizing journey through the lands of ancient Persia, to modern days Afghanistan, Turkey and United States, to tell the story of a mystic man, Molana Jalal-El-Din Rumi, who’s message of love and peace has been passed on for centuries.

Rumi, departed from the world in 1273, late in the day of December 17. To his followers, this date is known as Sheb-Urs or the Wedding Night. At his funeral, people of all religions gather to celebrate his passing to the realm of god. Rumi reveals mysteries of the universe, in language of poetry and mysticism unfolding in the realm of science in the 21st Century?

Director Biography – Aryana Farshad

She is recipient of “ABU Award”, “Telly Award”, and ‘Davey Award” “Audience Favorite Award, London Independent Film Awards
Barcelona Planet Film Festival

Director Biography – Zeynep Üstünipek

Director Biography – Penny Gullion

Director Biography – BENSOUDA MOHAMMED AHED

Director Biography – Justin MacGregor

Director Biography – Olivier van Malderghem

Director Biography – Hisham Bizri

A suspenseful Hollywood fable based on Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s classic novella, White Nights. The film introduces us to the enchanting Linda, whose life is centered around a planned reunion with her former lover Paul. Her plans change in remarkable ways as she encounters an extraordinary cast of characters, including a new lover and a movie producer being pursued by the Mafia.

Director Biography – Vitaly Sumin

(For the list of the awards and the photos: https://filmfreeway.com/vitalysumin)
After receiving an M.S. degree in Oceanography, Vitaly Sumin produced ocean-related documentaries (Jacques Cousteau style) which eventually led him to abandon his scientific career to get a B.A. degree in film directing. He subsequently worked as a co-writer and producer on numerous productions.
Sumin’s award winning short film “From Womb To Tomb”, which he wrote, directed edited, and produced, made a world tour of important festivals. Sumin received a US patent #4,784,394 for his invention “The World Belongs To You!” – an interactive tourist game (including video, reality TV and other versions).
Resuming his film pursuit, Sumin attended the Sorbonne in Paris under a study grant. His script “The Idiot”, which recast Fyodor Dostoyevsky novel as a contemporary international thriller, received a development grant from The Warner Bros Fund.
Later Sumin moved to Los Angeles, California, and created VM Productions to develop and produce quality films based on original stories and masterpieces of world literature.
(Other VM Productions activities: music videos, commercials, industrial films…)

In June 2013 he was appointed as a Jury Member of the short films section by the Direction of the 16th International Film Festival Brigantina, Ukraine – http://www.notesthemovie.com/Brigantine-Jury-Shorts-June,2013.html

2006-2013: Writer/Producer/Director: feature film “Shades of Day” –www.shadesofday.com in the framework of his “Dostoevsky-Los Angeles Project” – http://www.shadesofday.com/VMP/new-projects.htm
“Shades of Day” – an adaptation of Dostoevsky’s novella “White Nights” was selected by the Rutgers University’s professor Gerald Pirog for his course in cinema along with the classic works by Bertolucci, Kurosawa, Bresson, Scorsese, Schrader, Von Sternberg… –
http://www.shadesofday.com/critics.htm
For various reasons – mainly because the film was shot on super 16 – separately in b&w and color – the negative remained uncut and the film hasn’t been submitted to the festivals – until April 2013 – after the Director’s Cut-2013 has been finally completed.

In 2011 Vitaly wrote, directed and produced feature film “Notes From The New World” –http://www.vmpfilms.com/Notes_from_the_new_world.html – an adaptation of “Notes From The Underground” by F. Dostoevsky – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1558579/ (the second chapter of ‘Dostoevsky-LA Project” – http://www.shadesofday.com/VMP/new-projects.htm)

In 2012 Vitaly produced the 19 mini-series project titled “The Missing Screenwriter”:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1846778/ – that became a winner of the 14th International Festival of Detective Films – Moscow, Russia – April 2012 (Category “Crime and Punishment”)

Sumin’s project “CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, LA” made it to the top 8 for the European Co-Production Matchmaking Program, which was featured during a panel at SXSW -2017!
“C&P, LA” – represent the third chapter of Sumin’s ambitious “LA-Dostoyevsky Project” – a re-envisioning of Dostoyevsky’s classic novel transported to LA during the riots of 1992:
https://www.stage32.com/blog/Winners-Announced-European-Co-Production-Match-Making-Program
Currently the project is in active development: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6812518/?ref_=nm_knf_i4

In 2017 Sumin was invited by Professor Marcus C. Levitt, Director of Graduate studies in the USC to screen the films of his “Dostoevsky-LA Project” for the USC students.

2017-2018: –post –production of the 2 feature length movies:

-“Behind The Scenes Documentary- Reimagining Dostoevsky” (writer, producer, director) –
www.dostoevsky-bts.com
www.imdb.com/title/tt2832722/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4_Y-zxOXgM

-“The Missing Screenwriter” – based on 19 award winning mini-series. Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/withoutabox/vi3037698585?ref_=tt_pv_vi_1

2017-2018: Development of the package of 3 feature length projects (writer, producer, director): “Idiot, LA”, “Shades of Blood”, “Crime &Punishment, LA” with the participation of A and B cast: www.shadesofday.com/VMP/new-projects.htm

Director Statement

Whatever is depicted, it’s essential that a film’s content resonate with contemporary audiences. Vitaly Sumin, president of VM Productions, is the writer-director-producer of Notes From The New World, a feature adapted from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short story, Notes From The Underground. Relates Sumin, “In transporting the essential elements of the prophetic masterpiece “Notes From The New World” that predicted the major events of our time – from mid-19th-century Russia to modern-day California, I have underscored the universality of Dostoevsky’s tale as well as the commonalities of the human experience…
The film proposes a certain reading of the book using it as a pretext to show the conditions of existence in 21st-century Los Angeles. I’ve never been particularly interested in the exact re-creation of stories by classical authors, including the appropriate attributes of the corresponding historical time involved. With all my respect and admiration for the great writers, I believe that as human beings we’re all equal – some of us simply serve as mediums for ‘the voices’ that help to discover the laws of the universe. Each classical fiction work represents for me a patent serving as base for the explorations of our own age.

Director – Vid Mercun

Director Statement

Director Biography – Phil Comeau

Director Statement

Culture is identity and it’s what makes us unique. This film is about finding your roots.

This Gujarati Feature Film tells the story of Meera, an illiterate widow.

Due to the atrocities of the men of the male dominated society, Meera’s life becomes hellish.

Meera sets an exemplary lesson of Women Empowerment and Self Reliance for the oppressive-minded misogynistic villagers.

Director Biography – Dilip Harnarayan Dixit

Started the journey in mid 80s as a photographer journalist for various film magazines in India for over a decade.

Went on to work in Bollywood for prominent projects as Assistant Director of Photography around mid 90s.

Then shot over a 100 short films and Ad Films as a Director as well as Director of Photography.

With rich experience in the entertainment industry, directed a feature film ‘Meera’.

Director Statement

I have created this project ‘MEERA’ right from the inception and hand-crafted the dialogue and screenplay of the entire film. I wish to deliver content driven projects and will continue to do so.

Director Biography – Chris Eipper, Declan Mortimer Eipper

Director Statement

A premonition inducing drug could cost a group of med students everything they hold dearly, including their memories.

Director Biography – Saki Kawamura

Saki Kawamura is a NYC-based multimedia artist from Japan.
Her passion for theatre led her to move to NYC in 2019 after receiving her BA in Sociology in Japan. She graduated from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University and received her MFA in Directing as Outstanding Directing Student.

The wide range of her work seen in theater, film, and visual art included: ICEBERG (Ren Gyo Soh Artist Lab), IKIGAI: a purpose of living (Hollywood Fringe 2021, Encore Award), Grown-up (Unfix NYC 2022), The Man Who Turned Into A Stick, Spite, Margaret’s Bed, Librarian (ASDS Repetory Season 2022), One-Sided (Australia Quarantine Film Festival 2020, Best Performance Award), and The Giving Tree (Unfix NYC 2021).

Saki also has served as Assistant/Associate Director to Casey Hushion on productions of Mystic Pizza (Ogunquit Playhouse), A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits (Paper Mill Playhouse), Clue (Paper Mill Playhouse), JOY: A NEW MUSICAL (George Street Playhouse) and Murder on the Orient Express.

Her diversification in theatre, film and visual art makes her a viable artist in the industry. Her original work IKIGAI:a purpose of living was a hybrid theatre piece which used Butoh (a Japanese avant-card dance form), visual art, film and text. The production was highly acclaimed because of its emotional journey that was given to the audience and resulted in her receiving the Hollywood Fringe Festival Encore award.

From 2022, Saki has been named the new Associate Artistic Director of Ren Gyo Soh, an award-winning butoh theatre company.

Director Biography – Gili Danon, Efrat Shalom Danon

A celebration of ending slavery sounds grim.

Director Biography – Preston Chase

It was a desire for everyone to know the story of his great great uncle Walter Perry that led Chase to pick up a camera and begin recording the stories about him from the elders in his community.

Mister Emancipation: The Walter Perry story is the result of twenty years of research and five years of production.

All rooms in Hostal España, a modest guesthouse located in the centre of the city of Leon, are occupied by elder people. Many of them come from the abandoned rural areas that surround the city. In its rooms, corridors and dining room, seasons follow one another without pause for a community that has been invited to record their daily lives and thus participate in the creation of a film that accounts for other possible way of living the old age.

Director Biography – Chus Domínguez, Inma Álvarez , The Staff and Residents at ‘Hostal España’

Español:

El proyecto Hostal España ha sido desarrollado por el LAAV_ y dirigido por Chus Domínguez junto con Inma Álvarez y las trabajadoras y residentes del Hostal España.

Director Biography – Ishwar L. Maisuria

Director Statement

Criminal commissioner Hagen Walsken investigates the missing Anna Padberg, who fell into the hands of an insane clown. Only one woman survived this clown several years ago and has been silent in an institution since then. Hagen tries to question her anyway. But the chaos breaks out when the clown finds out where his former victim is now. Now he’s more deadly than ever. But Anna remains missing.

Director Biography – Rolf Höhne

Kill Baby, Kill (2009)
Dead Continue (2010)
Mask Of Fear (2013)
Katana – Recut (2014)
Das Haus Nummer 13 (2015)
Kolman and the Penguin (2017)
Death of a Clown (2020)

The film “The pictures come at night” accompanies the former forced laborer Czeslawa Wölfel in her last months of life.
The old lady lives in a retirement home near Bielefeld. It is difficult for her to come to terms with her new home. Nobody really has time. And certainly no time to listen. It would be worth listening to stories from more than 80 years of German-Polish life, in which only violence and unconditional love for their children were reliable figures.
Czeslawa was born in Poland in 1927, she would have had the opportunity to go to high school. Instead, however, her way led to Germany – into forced labor.
The film is shaped by Czeslawa’s relentless tales about her extraordinary, yet historically exemplary life. In turn, everyday observations are in the style of the Cinema Verité. The camera observes the family, who, despite great challenges, has maintained a loving attitude and their sense of humor. It is always close, but never judgmental. This was made possible by the filmmaker’s close relationship of trust with the family members. She has been friends with Czeslawa’s children for more than twenty years.

Director Biography – Ulrike Korbach

Born in Münster / Westphalia in 1963
186 – 1991 Studied photo design at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences
1998 – 2000 Training as a media designer for images and sound, Werkhof Hohenlimburg
2002 – Documentary “Over Seven Bridges” about trying to break out
2005 – Documentary “You must fight” About Cho Lucas Ayaba, Cameroonian oppositionist, fighter and refugee in Germany.
2007 – documentary. “Rattenrennen”, a film about a Cameroonian girl and his first two years in Germany
2007 – “One minute – one river” ten filmmakers show their view of the Emscher,
a production of the festival “Views from the Ruhr Area”
2015 – Eating shadows, documentary about Anke Ames, musician and poet with bipolar illness
since 2011 – Lecturer UZwei cultural education in Dortmund U
since 2016 – guest lecturer at TU Dortmund
2019 – Documentary “The pictures come at night” Family portrait of the Wölfel family, a former forced laborer and their children

MAIN CHARACTERS

GIANNI DI MARCO(GINO), a current dance professor at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, started offering synchronous ballet classes from home at the end of March. Aiming to provide quality dance education in this challenging time, he reformed and upgraded his teaching methods. As an artist, he stayed creative and worked on a new production while unexpected things happened.
RUTH WHITNEY (RUTH), a current successful professional ballet dancer who would have her retirement show in 2020, is now facing new challenging realities under every day uncertain situations. Many real and concrete life tasks and opportunities lie in her evolving journey.
AMANE TAKAISHI(AMANE), a young professional ballet dancer and a current master-of-arts candidate in dance education, recently started her dancer career in Boston and decided to stay local instead of moving back to Japan with her family in March 2020. With that came many new doors opening for her in 2020.
MEREDITH WELLS(MEREDITH), a previous professional ballet dancer who left a job that she had held for five years as a dance teacher in the middle of the global pandemic, soon transferred her backyard to a ballet school and began a new journey in 2020.

Wandering in a bleak Rome without any open cinemas, we meet a child and a young girl, both quite disoriented, who are there to fulfill a mission: to recover the remains of an ancient time, a film containing a priceless poetic testimony of the magic of Cinema.
A bizarre Filipino detective chases them, hampered by an intriguing femme fatale and a mean Lolita, who awkwardly tries to anticipate the two girls before they find the coveted film.
The detective discovers that they are headed to an illegal film club hidden in the outskirts of the city, where a wise preceptor of the child, guardian of the secret, possesses the indispensable film specimen. In order to reach their destination and grab
the precious film, needed to give back life to one cinema at least, the girls must return to the same cinemas that have closed down, even if they have left their place to other businesses.
In their place, several heterogeneous dwelling forms of human fauna are unwillingly keeping the spirit of the old cinemas alive, even if they are in an advanced state of abandonment and degradation. During their quest, the girls meet them, and they become spectators of their peculiar forms of protest, finding in those grotesque and surreal situations some vital artistic manifestations. A director decides to document the
facts, reconstructing them through the girl’s experience.
She is the vector at the dawn of a new era.

Director – Federico Mattioni

Johnny agrees to watch Mia’s cat while she’s away on a camping trip. Unfortunately, the cat ends up tragically dying under his watch. Completely friendless, Johnny is forced to turn to people from his troubled past for advice.

Director Biography – James D. Froio

Born in Syracuse, NY, I became passionate about cinema at a young age and was making short films by age 10. From there I never looked back, now 28, I’ve received a Bachelor’s in Cinema Production from Ithaca College, I’ve made several shorts and three feature-length films. Making micro-budget films requires a lot of blood, sweat, and tears and I love every second of it.

Director Statement

Trying to prove you don’t need a million bucks to make a film that’s worth a million bucks.

Director Biography – Daniele Tullio

Filmmaker and Video Operator. He makes short films, reports,
music videos and multimedia products. The short film The Jill’s Silence wins Catanzaro REFF for Best Web Pilot Series.
He collaborates in the creation of numerous videos for artists such as Ultimo, Giuseppe Natale, Marco Sentieri, Ornella Muti, Public bodies and such as the Castelli Romani Regional Park, Conservatories and University. He has collaborated with TV such as Tele Grenoble (France), TV russian national team and Tg2. Organizer of the Monte Compatri Film Festival in 4 Editions deals with the dissemination of products aimed at a wide audience.
Take part in the realization of Think Big! presented during the 16th Edition of the “Giornate degli autori” in Venice.

Director Statement

“My Favorite Things” is an intimate and universal documentary. A story in which both the artists and the people they can mirror each other. The Hastag #iorestoacasa does not have moved only the professionals of the sector but also all those who wanted to exploit this time to find a creativity out of the ordinary. This which appears innovative and extraordinary for the most part of the population is instead an occasion for discouragement and denunciation by those who practice art as a profession. The coronavirus has apparently reduced the social gap in the share time and habits, uses and customs, but has the disparity linked to rights and
work awards.

Evan is a thirty-something actor who’s on the verge of abandoning his dreams of stardom when he lands the lead role in a new sci-fi film. The only problem is it’s an unpaid role. And the film’s director is obsessed with tits. And the film itself will probably be a pile of shite. And Evan is still in love with an ex-girlfriend who left him years before. Other than that, though, things are looking up.

After months of quarantine and working from home four female co workers are hand picked by their company to go relax on a three day vacation. It is a vacation that promises to be like no other and one that none of them will ever forget.

Director Biography – Alex Fernandez

Alex Fernandez is a Brooklyn, New York-based writer, producer and independent

filmmaker. Known for the critically acclaimed web series Body Jumpers and Dawn,

Alex Fernandez creates radically engaging stories as an endless wellspring of

interesting new ideas.

Brian the stand-up comedian is at the end of tether. His jokes are not working ,so also his life. He has some success early in his career but has fallen on hard times. He has become an alcoholic drug addict who only cares about himself. He is losing his apartment, and his life is spiralling out of control.
One night after an open mic, he gets kidnapped. The kidnappers are instructed to hand him over to be killed. In the moments of excruciating pain Brian realizes that all the choices he made in his life had only helped him create more enemies and he had dug his own grave through his reckless actions.

Brian escape from the kidnappers and starts searching for his killer. Is it the woman he wronged? Is it family he has let down? Is it a jealous husband from one of his many sexual escapades? The search for the killer becomes an inner journey in which Brian gets clarity about life, relationships, death and love.

Director Biography – Biju Viswanath

Biju Viswanath is an award winning international Director, Screenwriter,Director of Photography and Editor. Winner of several international awards, his movies have been screened throughout the world. Viswanath has directed movies in English, Italian, Irish, Japanese, and Indian languages. His Credits span multiple Genres: Thrillers, Dark Comedy, Mystery, Horror Romance and critically acclaimed dramas .

Director Statement

I felt that people who are in the business of making other people laugh, often go through deep ,dark depression.I had come across some comedians who are very dark and melancholic in real life.
Transcendental Layover is a journey through the guilt ridden mind of an artist, who in the process of seeking answers ;gets clarity . Sometimes too much clarity can kill you, in many levels.

After living a life marked by missed chances, a down and out artist is given an opportunity to make good

Director – M.S. Kerr

Director Biography – Paul Andrew Kimball

In 2021 he is slated to produce the second season of the independent feature film anthology series Cinema 902, as well as the dramatic series The Last Divide.

His most recent feature film, The Colour of Spring, was released in November 2020.

Documentary that portrays the way in which punishment is present in our lives. Through eight environments you will be able to observe punishments that occur in societies, between people, in areas, times or specific situations (Violence, Confinement, Violence against Women, State Terrorism, Sexual Violence, Suicide, Institutional Violence and Discrimination).

How many ways to punish do you know?

Director – Gonzalo Collado

An negative free and playful sitcom is hijacked by an entity daunting a pig mask, as it tears apart the mindless glee hiding the real horrors.

Director Biography – Christian Zakharchuk

Christian Zakharchuk is an Canadian Filmmaker from Sooke, BC. He is best known for his short horror comedy film “The Comedian” which went on to win awards at the GIFTS Fright Film Festival.

His previous feature, Mein Sozialer Kampf, was also a semi-finalist for the Directors Cut Int’l Film Festival.

Christian is currently going to continue his studies and passion for film at a University level.

You can email Christian at TheMoviePerson605@gmail.com

-born in 1985. Sibiu. Romania.
-passionate indie filmmaker, 14h/day

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5471077/

Prada Wang(Wang Peng Ran) , born in Shenyang of Liaoning Province in 1997, currently majors in Writing and Directing for Broadcast and Film in Shanghai Theatre Academy’s class of 2018. His works have been shortlisted in the fourth Waiting Time One Minute International Film Festival’s screening unit, the second NEW ERA Film Festival’s main competitive unit, the sixth Vancouver Chinese Film Festival, the second annual Lion Cub Screening, and received third place in the fourth Waiting Time One Minute International Film Festival’s competitive unit.

Born and bred in Winnipeg, Canada, Dan Webb is now a resident of Courtenay, BC. He holds a PhD in Political Science and for most of his adult life taught at various universities across Canada. Currently he teaches International Relations at North Island College. His interests include political philosophy, pop culture, and wandering the beaches of Vancouver Island. He is a published author, including one monograph with Routledge Press, and he aspires to be a professional film-maker. “Let’s Walk Together as One” is his first film, made on a non-existent budget.

Robert James is a director, writer, and actor living in southern Oregon. He has three feature films he has written and directed and starred in. Robert has been a film maker since high school and has continued to expand his talent in different genres and themes. His films have won awards in festivals and maximized his productions with mirco budgets.

Director Statement

Thank you for considering my film. This was a labor of love and not easy to pull off with such a small budget. My hope is you’ll watch this film and forget this production is small, and instead you’re immersed in the world I’ve created, and invested in the mystery of the story.

Deepanshu Singh is an independent self-taught filmmaker from India. He lives and works in Delhi as a Computer Programmer & has an immense passion in the field of Quantum Physics, A.I and Cinematic Arts.

Although he never planned to become a filmmaker, nor does he lives around people in such fields, he often finds certain films making way into his thought for months and forever. Especially the films which takes advantage of the imaginative potential of the brain & deceptive nature of storytelling which transcends you into other worlds.

He has been imagining and indulging himself in the melancholic Neo-noir world of ‘Wicked Trails’ for years without any purpose, and now crafting a small part of that world in a form outside his mind is pure excitement.

We are the Roots: Black Settlers and their Experiences of Discrimination on the Canadian Prairies tells the story of a wave of African American immigrants who moved to Alberta and Saskatchewan between 1905-1912 in search of a better life. Taking advantage of Canada’s offer of 160 acres of land for a $10 fee, 1000-1500 individuals moved to the Prairies and helped develop several settlements throughout the provinces.

Through the stories of 19 descendants of the original settlers, We are the Roots focuses on the experiences of discrimination these individuals encountered while living in the rural communities and in Edmonton.

Director Biography – Jenna Bailey

Jenna Bailey is a documentary filmmaker and historian. She has directed two historical documentaries and one biopic. Jenna specializes in making well researched, community driven, public history films that give priority to the voice of the community.

Maya and Varun have been a happy couple, until recently. A murder that happened five days ago has changed their lives and now, both hide a truth from each other. Varun, a serial killer, attempts to murder Siya, his ninth victim. Unknown to Varun, Maya happens to witnesses this, and ends up killing Siya herself, in a fit of rage and despair.

DaEMON The Mirror Lies, a thriller employing reverse chronology, unravels a story spread over five days about a couple’s duel for survival and revenge.

Director Biography – Puneet Panesar

Puneet Panesar is a debutante filmmaker. He is a founder of two advertising and marketing startups in India. He has made over 200 ads and corporate videos over the last eight years. With a speciality of creating animated videos and product and company ads, DaEMON The Mirror Lies is his first attempt at professional filmmaking.

Puneet Panesar has made ads and videos for leading brands like GE, Dell, Lowe’s, Ametek amongst others. He currently resides in Bangalore, India.

Music, Color, and Sound still in final polishing stages. Taming Wild: Pura Vida will be 100% complete in August of 2019

Director Biography – Elsa Sinclair

Director Statement

Our journey was to prove that putting emotions in motion smooths the path forward in life…
Pure Life… Pura Vida.

From the recent events surrounding the water protection in the Standing Rock Reservation and their battle for clean water. The people the history, the plan, in comparison to the same issues going on all around the country and why it is an issue.

Director Biography – Rick Kariolic

Rick Kariolic is a producer, filmmaker, and rock n’ roll videographer who shook the world of high fashion as a model. As a model he worked with such photographers as Terry Richardson, Matthias Vriens, and Francesco Scavullo and he felt he shared the same kind of energy. Clients have included Vogue Hommes, Another Magazine, Details, Paul & Joe, Gilded Age, and many others.

While working as a model, Rick always brought his camera to shoots and started working on both sides of the camera. He is the ultimate behind-the-scenes guy.

Rick Kariolic founded and served as artistic director of the Chashama Film Festival, which focused on the rise and fall of societies. He brings all of this experience to the table as a filmmaker to produce excellent pieces, capturing the excitement of the moment all with a stellar eye for detail.

Director Statement

America is under-educated when it comes to the true history of colonization. It is hidden behind other grand stories while atrocities are swept under the rug. I hope to bring historical information to students from around the 8th grade thru college. If they see how the true foundation of this country was built, there is a chance that in future generations it might rub off and make this country where it was first imagined to be.

Director Biography – Tim Cash

Director Statement

In ancient Zazzau kingdom (present day Northern Nigeria). In an age of female subjugation, a young Princess dares the oppressive male sponsored timeless traditional system by nursing a never-before-seen ambition of sitting as a Sovereign Queen over Zazzau and its seven kingdoms.

Director Biography – Izu Ojukwu

Izu Ojukwu is an award winning Nigerian Film director of international repute. In 2007 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Director for the film Sitanda, which received 9 nominations and won 5 awards at the 3rd African Movie Academy Awards, including Best Picture & Best Nigerian Film.
His creativity and eye for details are the key skills that have seen him excel in every production he is part of which is why he emerged the director for so many films sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Amstel Box Office (AMBO)
As a professional of his craft, he has directed so many box o ce hits including his recently released “76 which won Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards 2017 Best Movie, Best Actress, Best Costume Designer, Best Art Director and Best Director.

Director Statement

Over 200 years ago in Africa, women predominantly ruled the continent, from Queen Amina of Zazzau (c. 1533 – 1633 BC), Queeen Anna Nzinga of Angola (c. 1583 – 1663), Queen Nefertiti of Egypt (1292 BC), Makeba, Queen of Sheba (960 BC), Empress Candence of Ethiopia (323 BC), Yaa Asentewa of Ashanti Kingdom of Ghana (c.1830-1921) and others.

Today, inequality, discrimination against women’s rights and other gender based prejudices are rife. Amina film is a demand for answers to this all important question: Who subjugated African women and why were they subjugated.

This first part of a trilogy, focuses on Amina’s rise to power. I felt it was important to first of all, humanize this exceptional woman: her pain and agony, in other to make her relatable.

Director Biography – Miguel Cano

Director Statement

What does “Está Rico” by Marc Anthony, Will Smith & Bad Bunny have in common with “Made For Now” by Janet Jackson x Daddy Yankee? They both high-jacked AfroBeats and did not give the genre’s origin props. Bakosó is a film that does the opposite, following DJ Jigüe to his hometown of Santiago de Cuba to find inspiration from the new sounds. He finds Afrobeats has helped create a new genre called Bakosó, which itself is beautiful proof that the exchange between Cuba and Africa did not end with the Transatlantic slave trade. Through stunning visuals and a score created by the founders of the genre, the film shows the technology, culture and landscape that shape this African-Caribbean fusion.

Director Biography – Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi

Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi is graduate of UC Berkeley, he received his MA degree from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Eli is an award winning filmmaker and currently directs FistUp.TV. His work has circulated through the National Broadcast: Free Speech TV, Teaching Channel and PBS . He is the co-founder of Defend Puerto Rico a multimedia project designed to document and celebrate Puerto Rican creativity, resilience, and resistance. Eli is curating his ninth Annual Fist Up Film Festival in the Bay Area, California. His dedication to his craft is deeply connected to his commitment to social justice and the belief in the transformative power of film.

Director Statement

For years I’ve been producing documentaries that shine light on communities across the globe, including in Ghana, where I spent ten years traveling to make the film, “HomeGrown: HipLife in Ghana”. That film explored the first inklings of what has now become the AfroBeats explosion. This new project is important because it’s a fresh take on a global music trend from the Cuban perspective. Bakosó explores how that same music, by way of African medical students, emerged as a new culture in Cuba.

A successful female engineer, working in the Persian Gulf gas and industrial zone, is promoted to a degree of the manager and should live in an industrial area. Her wife is opposed, she invites her husband and daughter to visit there, but as they come, problems become more complex, a secret that she was not aware of was revealed.

Director Biography – Mahmoud Nazeri

Writer and Director
Born 1977 in Damavand, Iran, graduated in the field of film and television direction in 2000

In the near future

France is in recession for the tenth consecutive year. Record unemployment, social misery and urban violence are part of the daily lot. The morale of the households is at its lowest.

Fortunately, the SAFARI PARK begins its new season.

Produced by TN2 in partnership with the Government, the favorite program of the French is much more than just entertainment, it is a program of public utility: In order to reduce prison overcrowding, randomly selected prisoners are regularly transferred to a reserve of 3000 hectares.

Prisoners of common law, prisoners of conscience and political prisoners thus serve their sentences in the open air, delivered to themselves. But to preserve this ecosystem of a new kind, regular beats are essential.

Accompanied by a professional cameraman, 6 candidates from different backgrounds will have 10 days to regulate the wildlife of SAFARI PARK by shooting about twenty prisoners.

Will they succeed in getting along and forming a homogeneous and effective group? Will they come out alive from this dangerous hunt in a hostile environment?

You will know it by following the SAFARI PARK on TN2 and the social networks partners.

Let the hunt begin !

Director Biography – Michaël MASSIAS

Selective Filmography

FEATURES & SHORTS

WRITER & DIRECTOR :
Safari Park (long feature)
Jungleland (short) (Sitges Festival, Action On Film Festival in Los Angeles)
Schizotypique (short)
Cartes 51 (short) – broadcast on 13ème Rue
Au Royaume des Cendres (short) (DVD French Démence Vol.1)

SECOND UNIT DIRECTOR / VFX SUPERVISOR :
In the name of the king 2 directed by Uwe Boll

SFX SUPERVISOR :
BloodRayne 3 directed by Uwe Boll
Blubberella directed byUwe Boll
Auschwitz directed by Uwe Boll

Director Statement

Designed in its form as a reality show, Safari Park is as much an action movie as a dystopian satire.

Based on a classic scheme from the western movie, (the hunters are cowboys, the prisoners are the Indians and the reserve is the reserve), the film shows a long hunt for the man inherited from a certain cinema of the 70’s (Deliverance , Punishment Park, Southern comfort).

Instead of following the action through a classical cinematographic editing, the viewer will see the movie entirely through the prism of the reality show, so through the point of view of production and the message it wishes to convey.

Thanks to the constant multiplication of points of view (via the cameras grafted into the prisoners, the ubiquitous drones, the professional cameraman, the gopro and the i-phones of the hunters), the TV show will adopt a construction based on the ellipse specific to this type of program and conducive to both emotional manipulation and filling the vacuum.

Assisted by a moralizing and thoughtful voice-over, the editing will do everything to guide the judgment of the spectators in favor of the hunters, worthy representatives of the order and the system. In contrast, prisoners will be shown as vile and savage beings ultimately deserve what happens to them.

Via the social partner networks, viewers will comment on the show. Best tweets will be displayed on the screen at crucial moments such as a participant’s death who’s loved by the public.

By using these different processes and never leaving the point of view of a propaganda, my goal is to ask the audience about the meaning of the images they are looking at while giving them the benefit of a real action movie, nervous and intense.

Of course, all is this, punctuated by advertising spots.

Michaël MASSIAS

Ratings Rate Project

This project has not yet been rated.

GOETHES FAUST is set in a modern metropolis made of concrete and glass. The people have turned their backs to nature. Here, the hacker Faust is on a quest for higher meaning and transcendence. He loves to expand his consciousness with LSD. But his latest trip becomes horrific. A woman appears and claims to be Mephisto herself. She convinces Faust that she’d change his life and he enters a pact with her to be his maidservant. Soon after, Faust encounters an innocent girl, Gretchen. In order to win her trust, he uses Mephisto’s powers. He thinks he loves her, but after he has taken her virginity, he loses interest and strives for even greater pleasures. Mephisto leads him to a festival of lust and drugs, where Faust sheds himself. Meanwhile Gretchen‘s life falls apart…

Director Biography – Karsten Pruehl

Karsten Pruehl studied Art, Film and Design at the Bauhaus-University in Weimar and the York University in Toronto, followed by work as a freelance filmmaker, photographer and illustrator. After several TV-productions in which he worked as a production assistant, he began directing for the European Film Philharmonic, Free University Berlin, DAAD, Grazia and Converse. In 2011 he became Alumni of the Berlinale Talent Campus and the Zürich Film Festival Masterclass, where he presented the idea to his film Goethes Faust among others. His first feature-length film WITH LOVE FROM MADAGASCAR (2014) was a docu-fiction about the cycling journey of two lovers through the unique but dying nature of Madagascar where they will find a new kind of love. The film earned awards and nominations (including Best Documentary Camgaroo Award Munich, Award of Excellence The Indie Fest, and was nominated as Best Documentary Feature IFAB Berlin, among others). GOETHES FAUST is his second feature.

The story of 4 Liverpool young men set to conquer the World.

Director Biography – SHIHYUN WANG

Although she hated accounting, Sherry followed her parents wish and became a CPA. Although she lacked people skills, she took on Real Estate to supplement her income.
Then she became an emptynester with many unfulfilled dreams. Dreams of making films. In Oct. 2015, she started her youtube channel – The Mysterydecoder. And it now has over 31,000 subscribers with over 8 million views.
She then started making Narrative documentaries using PowerPoint. Eventually, she learned Window moviemaker and finished her first film- Girl Indigo 16 going 61 as the writer, director, cinematographer, editor and producer. That 12 minutes film won “Film of the Year 2017” at Hell Chess Film Festival in Spain.
‘
Then her first music video – Unknown Alien songs won Best music Video at Sweet As Film Festival. A few months later, her Residential Aliens won Best Sci-Fi and her Queen Mary of Scots – The True Story won best Biography, both at Fall 2017 Alternative Film Festival. In Nov 2017, her film I am Henry the 8th won Best Film at Sweet As Film Festival in Canada while her film “The Messenger” won “Best International Film” at Gala del Cinema Internazionale – Venezia 2017.
Every film can be a challenge for a new filmmaker like Sherry. Sometimes she had to wear different hats. Amazingly, she was able to multitask and has been nominated as Best Writer, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Special Effects, Best Horror, Best Human, Best Story and Best Original Concept. Now she won “Best Editing” at Independent Horror Movie Awards and “Best Direction” at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Film Festival 2017. and Best Writer at Barcelona Planet Film Festival.
Although she wish to try all kinds of films, the majority of her films are documentaries. Her film on Brest Cancer – A battle we can’t afford to lose, won 2 awards, while her mystic documentary “The life of Queen Mary of Scots according to Nostradamus” also won 2 awards. And recently, her documentary about Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria – Help Wanted won “Semi-Global Impact” award from Move Me Productions in Belgium. Actually, in 22 months, her 270 films got over 1000 film festival official selections with 200 wins.
Not all films she was proud of win awards, like her comedy “Under my spell”. But it is now ranked 24 when you search on IMDB for most popular Amazon Romantic comedy available on Amazon Prime.
And her first action film Grant me Hope showed how a director who can’t run 100 meters under 1 minute can make a fun action film.
Well, dreams are for dreamer. But Sherry is not a dreamer. She is a filmmaker.

Director Statement

I was touched by the Beatles, not only their music, but also their stories. This is my way to share with you the “Forever 4”.

A family man struggling to hold it all together discovers a parlor that offers a solution…sexbots.

21-year-old director Asger Bartels’ self-financed, No-Budget, feature film-debut tells the story of the complexities of millennial coming-of-age through the eyes and lens of Louis (Karim Theilgaard). Following the death of his estranged father, the photographer Louis is left feeling he hasn’t achieved as much in life as he had hoped for. He is still chasing the same dream of becoming a famous photographer but has been stuck working on the same project for many years. Louis’ girlfriend Rosa (Kimmie Falstrøm) tries to get Louis to snap out of it and grow up, but when old acquaintances make an appearance the night draws Louis back in.

Director Biography – Asger K. Bartels

Born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark. Asger K. Bartels is a self-taught filmmaker who began working in the film industry right after he finished high school. Wanting to become a director, he started to learn the craft of filmmaking up close by volunteering as best-boy, gaffer and AD on indie projects. After half a year of working on others project he decided put his money where his mouth was. He started saving up money, working multiple jobs as a waiter and bartender while writing the script for what was to become his first feature film “Natsværmer” (“Dream State”).

Dream State premiered at CPH:PIX, the biggest feature film festival in Denmark. Only 21 years of age at the time of the premiere, Asger Bartels was the youngest director selected for the festival. Furthermore Dream State won “Best Danish Film” at Annual Copenhagen Film Festival 2019.

Director Statement

The idea for “Natsværmer” (“Dream State”) came about after I finished high school and witnessed my peers and myself struggle with what to do in the future. We felt the immense pressure and difficulty of deciding our paths in life, when being presented with an overwhelming amount of possibilities. Wanting to become a film director I felt the pressure as much as anyone.

I chose to take the point of view of a person past this point. A person who has already chosen their presumed goal in life and is now living in it. Or rather drowning in it. Louis, the main character of “Natsværmer” (“Dream State”) personifies this impending fear of choosing your future and working towards it throughout your youth, only to realise that you are now in your 30’s and nowhere near where you envisaged yourself to be.

When you detox in Serbia, you eat, drink, and enjoy the music.

Director Biography – Igor S Rados

Director Statement

No verbal statements – just pictures 🙂

Two teenagers set out to make a film about their lives, but their emotional problems takeover.

Director Biography – James Seed

James Seed is a young, passionate student filmmaker who loves all sorts of film. He recently finished his first film “Ultraviolet” which he spent two and a half years making.

Director Statement

All I want to do is make films, and share experiences and discussions about them. I also like to encourage people to watch more films that are weird and immersive in their own way.

Inspired by true events, SUNRAY is a about LAISE FLANNAGAN (Flan), portrayed by Tom Caine, an Australian Army officer, who has been deeply affected by an incident while serving overseas. What was supposed to be a routine patrol in a village, ended up being an horrific, seemingly never ending nightmare. Flan lost his good friend, ANDY (Marcus Molyneux) in a firefight that also led to the death of a number of local children. Not only does Flan blame himself for this, he has also been called a murderer by his wife, CATHY (Emily Riley), which was a far greater wound than the injuries he sustained in battle. Flan cannot reconcile this, despite Cathy’s attempts to make amends.

Away on a holiday (in an apparently haunted hotel) to try to reconnect with Cathy, nothing seems to be going well and Flan continues to splinter psychologically, being tormented by ghosts of the past as he wrestles with those of the present.

SUNRAY is an Australian Army radio callsign, which refers to a unit commander.

Director Biography – Natalie Spence

Natalie Spence is an independent filmmaker based in Melbourne, Australia. She has written, produced and directed three shorts, gaining some recognition:-

• kiss 20/20
Official Selection Melbourne Underground Film Festival 2016

• crazy
Semi-Finalist Sydney Indie Film Festival 2017

• frock
o Official Selection and Merit Award Canada Short Film Festival 2018
o Monthly Finalist Changing Face International Film Festival 2018
o Official Selection, Electric Shorts 2018

Natalie also directed Always, which was in Perth International Queer Film Festival 2017 Official Selection, winning the People’s Choice Award, and Amsterdam New Renaissance Film Festival Official Selection 2017.

SUNRAY is her first feature effort (written, directed and produced).

Natalie’s prior professional background is in community work. She holds a Bachelor of Community Welfare, majoring in International Social Development. Before Natalie could run off to be an aid worker in war torn countries (the original dream), she stumbled into film while completing her student placement in Indonesia. Like many other creatives, Natalie has a non-film day job (for which she is very grateful).

For almost 15 years (give or take), Natalie was an Australian Army Reserve soldier, Transport Corps.

“Petal and Moth” is a film about human connection – both established and unexpected. In its center is Petal, a woman wounded by not so distant betrayal and loss. She has come to her cousin Hannah for healing – to a town with an unusual river, a place with an unusual person named David. To trust again is a challenge for Petal. To trust a man again, a steep mountain. But as warm days stretch into mystical nights, Petal slowly turns towards David’s light.

Director Biography – Colleen Furlotte

Colleen Furlotte is an award-winning Canadian indie filmmaker and singer/songwriter from the Moncton area of New Brunswick, Canada. A latecomer to the world of film, Colleen unexpectedly found herself falling in love with the medium which marries a number of her favorite forms of artistic expression.

Perhaps part reflection of her lack of background, perhaps part reflection of her personality, when it comes to making movies – Colleen doesn’t easily fit into a box. She prefers a loosely scripted, organic approach to filmmaking, her style having been referred to as having shades of “cinéma vérité”. She likes to work outside of convention, to keep things fluid and honest, as she attempts to capture, not necessarily create, moments of magic on screen.

Living outside the box means Colleen often breaks the rules of cinema. Sometimes accidentally. Sometimes not. And she prefers it that way. She is happy in her filmmaking naiveté. She likes being a guerrilla.

Colleen is a recipient of the Errol Williams Filmmaker Award and was recognized by the YWCA as a Woman of Distinction for Arts and Culture. “Petal & Moth” is her first narrative feature.

Director Statement

“Petal & Moth” is born of the unexpected. It begins with a natural phenomenon that characterizes the Atlantic Canadian community where the film was fully produced; an attraction that inspired the story. One that involves water. The Maritimes are certainly known for this – water. But the water in this story is different. Its waves do not move in the usual way. There is an uniqueness here. A magic. A power. A pull.

As the tidal bore moved in and out of the Petitcodiac River each day in Riverview, New Brunswick, between August of 2018 and May of 2019, a small but determined team of lightly experienced indie film people pieced together a story about a man and a woman who meet here – along this river’s edge. A story of connection. With water. With people. With music. With art. An unexpected film project, by an unexpected group of people, from an unexpected community with an unexpected river.

“Petal & Moth” is our offering of the humble beauty of our little area of New Brunswick. We hope it moves you as the wave of our river continues to move us.

At first this story was conceived as science fiction, but these days it seems like hyper-reality: Portugal is ruled by an authoritarian plutocracy and one man, Raymond Vachs (Dominique Pinon) descends into a night of drunken soul searching and humiliation after his beloved daughter is wedded to one of the power elite. Written and directed by Edgar Pêra. Stars Dominique Pinon, Alba Baptista Albano Jerónimo, Iris Cayatte, Marina Albuquerque, Ney Matogrosso, Paulo Pires (II)

Director Biography – Edgar Pêra

Edgar Pêra was born in 1960 in Portugal. He is one of the most important and original representatives of the current generation of Portuguese experimental filmmakers. His work has been celebrated in Europe and in Brazil, and most recently at the IFFR 2019 (Rotterdam International Film Festival). Quizas USA is bringing his work to America starting with his most recent feature film, Magnetik Pathways. Retrospectives of his work are planned for the fall of 2019 at (to name two) MoMA and the Arte Institute in New York City.

Pêra’s recent and varied work consists of documentaries, and short and long film and video productions. Pêra’s work has both political and philosophical dimensions. A number of his films relate to Portugal’s recent history and the democratization process. In the film Eight-Eight (2002) for instance the central figure investigates the Portuguese neofascist scene. Arbeit Macht Frei? (1992) treats the question of whether work truly is liberating. Who is the master who makes the grass green? (1996), named after a famous Zen koan, is based on the ideas of the writer/futurist Robert Anton Wilson. In this short film Pêra tries to answer the question of how people perceive reality. Is reality a construct of the mind? A blurring of the border between fiction and reality, between dreaming and being awake is often present in Pêra’s work.

Pêra treats his subjects with considerable humor, which sometimes even borders on slapstick. Serious and farcical scenes often alternate. His imagery refers to old silent films and Russian and German prewar cinema. Pêra’s films are personal, critical, imbued with irony and satire, but are primarily poetical and expressive.

Matthew Michael Ralston was born in Winnipeg, Canada but was raised all throughout Canada, moving several times as a child. Matt’s first love was music. He played in bands throughout his teenage years and in his early 20’s he played bass and toured with the band Pretty Little Death Machine, also co-writing their two albums. After they disbanded, Matt decided to pursue his only other passion, filmmaking. After a brief film course at SAW video in Ottawa, Ontario, he moved cross country to Vancouver, Canada A.K.A Hollywood North.

After producing short films Back Sunday (2016), Syd and Billy (2017), Scale Back (2017) and others, while writing his own screenplays, in 2017, Matt decided to embark on his first directing effort. Party Stories (2017) was Matt’s first feature film, which he considers his film school. Within weeks of finishing Party Stories, Matt pitched what would would become his second feature film What We Don’t Say (2019) to his producing partner, Latif Ullah. Written, Directed and Produced by Matt, it was filmed in the summer of 2018 and finished the following year. Currently in it’s film festival run, it’s received numerous acceptances and was awarded Best International Drama Feature at the Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase, officially making it an award winning feature film.

Mehmet Tanrısever (born 1953 in Konya, Turkey) is a Turkish filmmaker and businessman, who is best known as the founder of Feza Film, which produced his films Abdullah from Minye (1989), The Exile (1992) and Free Man (2011).
Originally an industrialist by profession, Mehmet Tanrısever became a producer in 1989 with the establishment of Feza Film, stating that, “I first started filmmaking because I wanted to express an idea.” When Abdullah from Minye (1989), the first film he produced, broke box- office records, he was compelled to make the move into directing. The Exile (1992), his debut as director, won ‘Second Best Film’ at the 45th International Salerno Film Festival and the 11th Tashkent International Film Festival, where he also won the Silver Phoenix and ‘Best Debut Director’ awards.
He returned to the screens as co-writer, producer and director of Free Man (2011).

Hi, I’m Jordan! Thanks for taking the time to look at ‘The Annual’! A bit about myself: I’m from the small town of Nelson, in the heart of British Columbia, Canada (which is also where we filmed The Annual). The Annual is my first feature film, and it’s been one of the best experiences of my life.

A director of mainland China, is good at directing TV series. His works are: Hero,The happy life of the poor,The cop has 9 lives,Surprise for the unlucky, etc. It’s his first time to direct film.
李恰，中国内地导演，出生于河南洛阳。曾成功执导电视剧《负二代的幸福生活》、《英雄》、《九命刑

MARIANNA YAROVSKAYA’S Undesirables won a Student Academy Award in 2001. Since then, she has
worked for dozens of programs for Discovery Channel, National Geographic, History Channel, Greenpeace, Animal Planet as producer and senior editor. She also worked on two Academy Award-winning features and one Academy nominated film as a researcher, and directed an award winning film, Holy Warriors. Producers Guild of America (PGA) member.
Yarovskaya is the second Russian female director to be shortlisted for an Academy Award in any category in 91 years. If the film wins,
it will be the second Russian-directed documentary in the history of Oscars: one other Russian documentary film actually won an
Academy Award – in 1943, a film about WWII.
Women of the Gulag, first female director from Russian Federation shortlisted for the Oscars.

Dustin Morrow is an Emmy-winning filmmaker, bestselling author, and tenured professor. He teaches courses in digital film production and film studies at Portland State University. Prof. Morrow’s films have won numerous awards and been screened in more than 30 countries around the world. He has written about film and pop culture for a host of publications, and his photographs have been featured in both solo and group exhibitions. Before re-entering academia, Morrow was an editor and director of shortform projects and series television in Los Angeles, for such clients as MTV and the Discovery Channel, and with such filmmakers as Spike Jonze, Michael Apted, Steven Soderbergh, and Guy Ritchie. He continues to operate his own independent production company, Little Swan Pictures, for which recent projects have taken him as far away as the Aleutian Sea.

Tim Riedel was born in Winnipeg, Canada. His father was a steelworker and his mother was a homemaker. At the age of 10 he started producing and directing movies with his family and friends using a home video camera. One of these friends was longtime collaborator Joey Forte

After completing his studies, first in radio & television broadcasting and later in film, he was hired to assist in the development of a children’s edutainment character named Eddy the Eco-Dog. This character became the basis of the series Eddy the Eco-Dog Unleashed (1998).

His involvement with the series led him to a more executive role with KidsWebTv, the production company behind the show before moving on to spend the next several years overseeing the marketing and advertising campaigns for a number of companies. During this time he still occasionally consult on TV and film projects.

In 2009, he became involved in philanthropy and returned to TV and film projects on a more regular basis. During this time, he covered humanitarian issues such as the genocide recovery in Rwanda, child soldiers in Northern Uganda, and the child sex trafficking epidemic in Southeast Asia.

Director Statement

Jackstones is a unique documentary. Our story is about the fisherfolk from the beautiful fishing town of Buenasuerte, in the heart of the Philippines. The film documents the fisherfolk’s fight to re-invigorate their failing economy by revitalizing a rapidly dying coral reef.

The documentary was created using the inclusive filmmaking methodology where the story subjects were true collaborators in the telling of their own story. Thus, owning how they are represented in film.

With minimal Canadian involvement, the majority of the crew consisted of talented local filmmakers. The result is a breathtaking cinematic experience comprised of intimate moments between characters at a crossroads in their lives where the decisions made today will have implications that will last for generations.

Patrick and Margaret Fee immigrated to Montreal from Farmaugh County, Ireland in 1925 and trekking with horses’ wagon trying to cross the USA border but got stranded 20 miles before the border due to birth of their 5th child. They settled in small town in Quebec. Ronald was 11th out of 12 siblings. He was sent to Mackay School for the Deaf at age of 7 and he left at age of 16 to help father to run the farm. While he was spending his youth there he joined the community hockey as he already played hockey at MacKay. He was pulled out of hockey to work as Furniture polisher for Vilas Industries Ltd then to Cowansville Vics Team in Intermediate league and he moved on to play fastball for Vilas team for two years. He was also asked to tryout with Brome Missisquoi Bombers football in 1959 and made the team as defensive end. Coach Glen Brown switched him to play as middle guard. Ronald was invited to try out at football camp in Granby, Que for Montreal Alouettes.

He visited to West Coast with his pals from Mackay in 1960 where he met his future wife, Peggy Brooker and they settled in Vancouver, BC. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last June 26, 2014 with 220 guests.

Director Biography – Ladan Sahraei

Ladan Sahraei the first Deaf filmmaker in Iran. She settles in Vancouver, B.C. from Tehran, Iran on July 2014. She has directed 6 short films and got few awards for her achievement in Iran.
From what she has seen in Canada and there seems a lacking enthusiasm of biography for Deaf in Canada. It is her first time to make a documentary film in Canada.

Director Biography – Tim Cash

Director Statement

A man named Bagman wears a paper bag mask, and kills people that don’t recycle.

*A Deadpool inspired film*

Director Biography – Phillip Wilson, Logan Wilson

Both brothers are very talented filmmakers from Edmonton, Alberta Canada. There passion for filmmaking is beyond and they love the art of film. They never give up and never surrender.

The True North Project, commissioned by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, is a celebration of Canada’s multi-ethnic society and its ongoing process of reconciliation with the indigenous community. In this celebration of diversity, artists from vastly different backgrounds are brought together to create a collaborative work for orchestra. The documentary focuses on national identity and the idea of “home,” in a country where 20 percent of the population is foreign-born. The film offers insights into the creative processes of artists from different cultural backgrounds and from different regions of Canada, as they work together towards a common goal. The documentary is about hope for the future, and brings attention to the enrichments brought by the coexistence of different peoples and cultures within the framework of a nation.

Director Biography – Emil Agopian

Young filmmaker Emil Agopian has an astonishing number of film credits to his name. A cellist, Agopian has a particular feeling for film work involving classical music. In addition to his work for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra – one of Canada’s top professional orchestras – traveling across Canada to film his feature documentary “The True North Project”, he has created a documentary series and other media for the Morningside Music Bridge International Music Festival in Beijing (2016), and Boston (2017), shooting in China (Guangzhou and Shanghai) and Poland (Warsaw). He has filmed short documentaries, commercials and other film projects for one of Canada’s top choral ensembles, Luminous Voices, La Caravan Dance Theatre, The Calgary Folk Music Festival, SAIT Polytechnic and for several theatre companies. He has created successful videos for a variety of musicians, including the Three Sisters Trio “Journey of Remembrance” whose music video received national TV and newspaper coverage as well as going viral on YouTube. A music video for Calgary band Cowpuncher, was screened at The Plaza Theatre and as part of their 2016 album launch. Agopian has been director of photography on set for multiple other videos.

Agopian’s 2015 short film, “Cloud Runner,” was screened internationally, including at the YoFiFest (New York) and the Calgary International Film Festival. Of a 2015 short work, critic Yair Raveh wrote: ” … bursting with clever ideas… the music choices are brilliant. The existential themes are surprisingly deep. Kudos.” Paul Dornian, President and CEO of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra wrote: “His work looks and feels ‘different’ without being quirky or contrived. His films speak eloquently and clearly in a sophisticated but natural manner. They make me pay attention.”

A biopic on the life of renowned Indian woman painter T.K.Padmini. the film begins and ends with the narrative of t. k divakara menon, uncle of t. k padmini who encouraged and supported the painter against all odds. we pay homage to the great man who left us in the midst of the shooting of the film.

Director Biography – SUSMESH CHANDROTH

Born on Ist April 1977 in the state of Kerala, India. Literature and Cinema are the main areas of activity.
In 1998, he scripted and directed a documentary in Malayalam ‘Flood relief Camp: A new objectivity’ and it won the second prize in the film festival conducted by the Darshana film Society as part of its 20th anniversary. He scripted the 100 odd episodes of the series ‘Haritha Bharatham’ (Green India ) in the prime Malayalam Television Channel Amritha T V. The script of the travelogue ‘View finder’ telecasted by the Asianet News Channel was also by him. In 2006 he scripted the Malayalam feature film ‘Pakal’ (the Day). The short film in Malayalam ‘Ashupathrikal avashyappudunna Lokam’ (The world which demand hospital) was scripted in 2007 and won the Best film Award of the Kerala Film Critics Association. The short film ‘Athira 10 C’ which won five awards of the Government of Kerala in 2009 was also scripted by him. The short film shared the Best film Award in the Third International Documentary and Short Film Festival held at Thiruvananthapuram. He has written the script of the short fim ‘Marichavarude Kadal’ (Sea of the dead) directed by the national award winner Priyanandanan.
He writes stories, novels and essays in the language of Malayalam in the mainstream periodicals of Kerala. He won the first award for the most promising young writer under 35 years of age ‘Yuva Puraskar’ instituted by the Sahithya Academy, Government of India. His first novel ‘D’ won the Novel Carnival Prize instituted by the DC Books, the leading publishing house of Kerala. His second Novel ‘9’ won the 2010 ‘Ankanam Prize’ and the ‘Sahithyashree Prize’. Other major literary prizes won by him include the Geetha Hiranyan Endowment award of the Kerala Sahithya Academy, Cherukad Award, Idasseri Award, `C V Sreeraman Award, Mundoor Krishnan kutti Award, Abudabi shakthi award, K A Kodungalloor Award, Thoppil Ravi award, E P Sushama Endowment Award, Prof. V Rameshchandran Award, Jesi foundation Prize and Nuranad Haneef Award. Many of his works have been translated to English and other Indian languages. His short stories are part of the curriculum at the school and University levels in Kerala. His works have appeared in the India Government Sahithya Academy publication ‘Indian Literature’ also.

A fresh and candid glimpse of one of the great masters of cinema at work, by his longtime friend (of more than 25 years) and collaborator (on 10 films) Herbert Golder, BALLAD OF A RIGHTEOUS MERCHANT chronicles Werner Herzog’s making of the feature film, MY SON, MY SON, WHAT HAVE YE DONE (co-written by Golder), which was nominated for a GOLDEN LION and for Best Screenplay at the 2009 Venice Film Festival, and which stars Michael Shannon, Willem Dafoe, and Chloe Sevigny.

MY SON, MY SON, WHAT HAVE YE DONE was inspired by the true story of an actor who committed in reality the crime he was supposed to enact on stage in a production of an ancient Greek play: he murdered his mother. BALLAD OF A RIGHTEOUS MERCHANT explores the process through which this true story, for which an ancient myth was the catalyst, is transformed back into a fiction—that is, into a Werner Herzog film.

Unlike other documentaries which have been made about Herzog, in which he stares almost defiantly into the camera and, in his inimitable way and in his famous voice, articulates his views on life, this film shows a side of him known only to his friends and close collaborators. Although refreshingly candid and surprisingly revealing, this portrait in no way diminishes Herzog’s mystique—quite the contrary—but it does deepen our appreciation of his humanity, and offers, through Golder’s running commentary—as much an ongoing conversation with Herzog as a conversation with the viewer—an insider’s insight into his craft. Even as we come closer to knowing Herzog more intimately in this film, we also become increasingly aware of his privacy and the deep solitude that in some essential way defines him. Herzog’s idea that film should be, not analysis, but an ‘agitation of the mind,’ informs the telling of the story that unfolds here. Not without its moments of humor and warmth, BALLAD OF A RIGHTEOUS MERCHANT nonetheless manages to explore, through what we see brought into focus on screen and through Golder’s voiceover narration, some of the most abiding and deepest themes of Herzog’s films.

Director Biography – Herbert Golder

A conversation with Werner Herzog about Greek drama, more than 25 years ago, led Herzog to ask Golder, then a young classics professor, to work with him in films. Since then he has worked with Herzog in different capacities on ten films, features and documentaries. Himself the author of a number of works on classical and related subjects and a translator of Greek drama for the page and stage, Golder is currently Professor of Classical Studies at Boston University as well as Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning publication, Arion, A Journal of Humanities and the Classics. This film, his directorial debut, is the fruit of that collaboration with Herzog and was inspired by those preoccupations that have been the basis of their relationship.

Director Statement

BALLAD OF A RIGHTEOUS MERCHANT represents a very personal film. It is more than a behind-the-scenes documentary. It explores some of the musings that have been at the core of my friendship with Werner Herzog over the past 25 years. I have always believed that if Sophocles were alive today, he would be making films, working in the most powerful and universal myth-making medium we possess. What drew me to Homer and Sophocles, as a student, was directly connected to what drew me to filmmakers like Kurosawa and Herzog. This film explores that connection. (A conversation about Greek drama more than 25 years ago led Herzog to ask me to work with him in films.) It seemed fitting to tell this story in the context of documenting Herzog working on a feature film we had written together, MY SON MY SON WHAT HAVE YE DONE (2009), which was itself inspired by the disturbing story of a man who sought a mythic— even “Greek tragic”—fate but instead devolved into madness.

In the final analysis, this is a film that offers an unprecedentedly intimate and candid portrait of one of the great, and arguably most visionary, masters of cinema at work. Because the film was shot by me, a close friend and collaborator, Herzog’s usual guard is down, and we see him as only those close to him are ever in a position to. My portrait, however, in no way diminishes Herzog’s mystique, on the contrary, but it does deepen our appreciation of his humanity, and offers an insider’s insight into his craft.

Shorts

A girl plants a sapling in her garden. But as the years pass, the tree feels lonely because the girl has forgotten it, and it emerges from the soil and leaves the girl. Until the girl goes back to the tree.

Director Biography – majid farzolahi

Majid Farzolahi is the director of the short films the Morgue, parallel, tokyo, the girl and the street, Army men, the Strange and ecstasy. His films have participated in several international festivals and won several awards and participated in the final stage of the festival.

When an adopted daughter shares with her father a fun fact about whales they come to realize that some math problems just can’t be solved.

Director – D. Andrew Hartfield

We live in a hectic and chaotic world that relentlessly stresses our planet, humans and animals alike. joyful is a unique audio-visual exploration of finding joy in all the turmoil that surrounds us. This short film uses videos, timelapses, hyperlapses, drone shots, slow motion, astrophotography and satellite images from around the world with dramatic sound design and music overlay to depict life as we know it and simple moments of joy and calm that provides us respite in all the chaos…

Life is short. Cherish every moment. Be joyful.

Director Biography – Simantini Chakraborty

Simantini is a documentary filmmaker who tells compelling stories about people, places, issues and events that truly matter using dramatic visual imagery, technology and sound design. Simantini has a unique background in filmmaking, photography, technology and world travel, which motivates her to explore universal aspects of human condition through film. joyful is Simantini’s debut film and has already won many awards in the US and around the world. The universal theme of the film continues to resonate strongly and emotionally with people from all cultures and backgrounds and the film has already screened in acclaimed film festivals in 17 countries across 5 continents within a few short months.

A group of award-winning filmmakers have created a powerfully immersive film – The Original Badass. Fast-paced and visually-driven, the short documentary spans numerous decades of American innovation, food, music, technology, culture, social causes and sports, which are so innate to the American experience.

Created to inspire hope, optimism, and bring people together in a nation deeply divided, the film is an urgent reminder that it is our collective responsibility to cherish and preserve the fragile American experiment…

Director Biography – Simantini Chakraborty, Godfrey Reggio

Simantini is a documentary filmmaker and a technologist. Her recent film joyful won 18 awards and has screened in 22 countries across 6 continents. joyful has won awards for Best Short Film, Best Editing, Audience Award, Best Cinematography and Best Inspirational Film. It has received international distribution across many channels including Virgin Atlantic fleet wide, SBS Australia, JLTV and many others, and will soon be available on streaming networks around the world.

The film’s co-director is Godfrey Reggio. He is an acclaimed filmmaker best known for his groundbreaking trilogy of Qatsi films, with Koyaanisqatsi being the most well-known. Well-known composer Philip Glass collaborated with Godfrey on several films which emphasize the power of the moving image as a catalyst for social and cultural change. Godfrey’s latest film Once Within a Time, was produced by Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s 11, Ocean’s 13, Erin Brockovich and others). The film had its world premiere at Santa Fe International Film Festival in October 2022 and the festival awarded him the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Godfrey was awarded the prestigious Dragon of Dragons award in February 2024 by Kraków Film Festival.

On a quiet morning Ray enters Jeff’s bar, intent on robbing the place…when it all ends, we don’t know who’s story to believe.

Director – Brysen Mann

Deep inside us is more potential and strength than you ever known. Release it and you will see – everything can change in a moment. “Make Move” is a visual call to action — a story about overcoming doubt and unlocking your true inner power.

Short film inspires us to keep going, never look back, and take that bold step toward who we are meant to be.

One moment. One choice. One step.
Make your move!

Director Biography – Dmitry Koturanov

Maximilien Abadie learns of his father Alex’s death under mysterious circumstances. Officially, it was ruled a car accident—one seemingly caused by Alex himself. But Alex was more than just a father, he was a relentless police officer, known for his discipline and ruthless efficiency. Working in the shadows under the alias “Red Bird”, he was a secret vigilante who took on the city’s most complex cases.

Manuel Corona, after several casting calls, travels from the Canary Islands to Madrid to pursue his great professional goal: to be one of the leading roles in an opera at the Teatro Real. But when he arrives in the capital, the coronavirus crisis erupts, and everyone is confined to their homes due to a deadly pandemic, slowly turning his dream into a nightmare.
“Corona” was filmed almost entirely by one-man-shot during quarantine imposed by the spanish government throughout the 2020 coronavirus crisis, in an exercise of what can be called “lockdown cinema”.

Director Biography – Lolo Martín

Lolo Martín is a Spanish actor, director, writer and producer. He started working in the film industry at the age of 18, in the television industry at the age of 20 and a little later in the theater industry. All his life he has been linked to art in all its forms. He directed his first play “La señorita Julia” at the age of 24 and founded his company “23 Razones Creaciones Artísticas” in 2010. Through this he has produced more than ten plays and some videos, both corporate and artistic. He won an award for his short story “128 azulejos” and has been nominated twice for best actor. All his info at www.lolomartin.com and www.23razones.com

A man is walking down the street in the dark and dreaming, suddenly the wind blows.

Director Biography – Hossein Moradizadeh

Born in 1970
Painter, photographer, filmmaker

When a young shepherdess is kidnapped by a mysterious beast on the eve of her wedding, it is Red, a fierce mercenary, who is hired to find her and slay the creature. Yet, deep in the forest, a horrifying truth comes to light: the worst monsters don’t live in the woods.

Director Biography – Benjamin Maublanc

Benjamin Maublanc has been writing and directing for over ten years. Deeply influenced by the imaginary since childhood, it’s only natural that he thrives today as a writer and director in this genre. Having worked for four years as an on-set props master for fiction, he’s gained experience in set decoration and props, along with a passion for practical effects. With a handcrafted approach to filmmaking, he’s deeply committed to an artistic direction rich in texture and physically embodied, favoring the tangible and real over the overuse of digital techniques. This paradox between fantasy and realism is a core element of his works’ poetry, reflecting the unique identity of this young director.

When Thom returns to Sydney after a recent job failure, he catches up with his friends on a night out on the town hoping to recapture the golden days they had in the past. Thom soon finds times have changed and his plans may be in jeopardy. Refusing to end the night on a loss Thom will do everything in his power to make the night a memorable one.

Director – bremen fox

A normal trip home for two friends, Emmy and Lisa, turns into a nightmare when girls decided to take a shortcut through the forest. Ignoring radio warnings of danger in the area, they continue on their way. When suddenly their car breaks down and the girls are left in the forest, cut off from civilization.

With hope fading and accusations flying in both ways, Lisa agrees to go searching for help. Meanwhile, Emma stays near the car and her waiting turns into a frightening nightmare as reality and fear comes in waves.

Trapped between the fading light and the approaching darkness, the friends must confront the horror of the forest before becoming its next victims. In this unequal struggle for survival, they are left alone, and the chances tend to zero…

Director Biography – Dmytro Koturanov

Dmytro Koturanov is an accomplished Ukrainian cinematographer and director. He began his career in 2014, specializing in commercials and promos. Graduating from the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, he possesses a strong foundation in his craft.
Throughout his journey, Dmytro has collaborated with notable figures in sports, music, and show business, capturing their essence through visually stunning work. In 2016, he co-launched the groundbreaking Ukrainian series “UNKNOWN” with Artem Pivovarov, exploring the realms of music and creativity.

Beneath the rising tides, remnants whisper—not of what was, but of what may come.

No words remain. Only textures of salt and sand, fragments of memory carved into the ocean floor.

In this slow unraveling, the planet does not scream—it remembers.

Somewhere between myth and future, a question surfaces: if we vanish, what will remain—and will anyone know we once sang to the sea?

Director Biography – Chih Hao Shen

Chih Hao Shen, an internationally awarded writer, director, and multidisciplinary creator from Taiwan, has received honors including Best Animated Short, Best Short Film, and Best Visual Effects.

Through a distinctive blend of animation, documentary, and experimental film, his work contemplates themes of environmental stewardship, human rights, animal welfare, and education.

What do Autistic people daydream about?
This short documentary invites you into the vivid, thoughtful, and sometimes surprising inner worlds of twelve Autistic individuals as they share where their minds wander — to the past, the future, or the ideas that capture their attention.

Director Biography – Leilani E Forby

Formerly in the film industry, Leilani is now completing a PhD in cognitive science, with a focus on inattention and autism. Her research explores how mind wandering and attention differ in neurodiverse individuals, with the broader goal of informing policy and practice to improve education, employment, and community inclusion for Autistic people.

Dear Universe is a story of resilience and hope, set against the backdrop of government funding for mental health community homes coming to an end in the late 1980s. House Manager Barry (Greg Smith) must find a way to prepare the residents in this gentle, charming, character-driven film.

Director Biography – Greg Smith

Greg Smith is a writer, director, and actor with over 20 years of experience in the film industry. He is known for roles in feature films such as King Kong, Mt Zion and Broken Hallelujah; as well as television shows and short films such as Amazing Extraordinary Friends, Meathead, directed by Chelsea Winstanley, and Help, which won him Best Actor at Tropfest 2015. His short film Hot Chocolate won best short at Subversive Cinema Society Film Festival 2016.

Libelle, Nix’s mother, possessed exceptional abilities. She not only excelled in the fields of science and engineering, but also gained fame as a distinguished inventor and composer. Nevertheless, at a tender age, Nix, an aspiring musician and inventor in her own right, is now burdened with the responsibility of upholding this remarkable legacy.

Director Biography – Karina Loerchner

Born in Ontario, Canada, Karina has had a passion for music and the arts since she was a young child. She began singing in several choirs and small ensembles at the age of five, then moved on to study voice, violin, piano and dance.

An adventurous little girl with an overactive imagination ventures into places she shouldn’t ought to be, and wreaks havoc on a poor unsuspecting dragon.

Director Biography – Karina Loerchner

Juan, a 21-year-old college student, travels to the quiet and misty coastal town of Iloca. His purpose is to reunite with his cousin, Alonso, an artisanal fisherman rooted to the life and rhythms of the place, and with whom he shares a fractured past

Director Biography – Mario Bravo Borroye

(Curico, Chile. 1997)
Mario Bravo Borroye is from Curico. Kindly, Curicano. Central Valley of Chile. Wine, apple and cherry zone. Course the film career at the University of Development in the city of Santiago, Chile. His film influences are deeply rooted in 70s cinema. His conception of the grammar of cinema lies in the simple conjunction of planes, believing in the economy of film language. The topics his work usually touches on range from human despair to white comedy.

‘love letters’ uses both the Greek myth of the Moirai and a collection of poetry written over the course of two years to convey an experimental story of mortality, the ethics of humanity, and how, in spite of everything, life is worth living. Clotho, a being resembling life, is in turmoil: is it ethical to continue to create life in a world where evil reigns over good? As a last-ditch effort, Clotho creates Lachesis, a manifestation of herself, to experience life’s ups and downs – and to make the decision of whether or not life is worthwhile in its current state.

Director Biography – Emily Mazurkiewicz

Emily Mazurkiewicz is a recent graduate from Stevens Institute of Technology with a B.A in Audio Engineering. Growing up, she always had a passion for the camera (first for acting and, later, for cinematography and editing). She took her first screenwriting class in 2022, rekindling a love for creative writing and storytelling. Today, her work is a culmination of knowledge she gained from working on countless school assignments and passion projects, and she hopes to tell even more stories in the future.

A young man. A dream. One decision that changes everything.

Pedro is a hardworking young man who lives with his mother and makes a living selling onions in the public market of his city. Determined to build a better future, he balances work with his studies while sharing his journey with Juliana, his girlfriend. Despite the pressure from his environment and the temptations of old friendships, Pedro stays true to his path. This is a story of struggle, love, and hope in a reality that doesn’t always reward those who choose to do the right thing.

Director Biography – Fabian Paternina Herazo, Aias Clemente Carpio

Fabián Paternina es un joven director y productor audiovisual colombiano, nacido en Sucre, Colombia y radicado en Bogotá. Su obra se enfoca en narrativas sociales y humanas, con una mirada íntima y comprometida hacia las realidades populares.

Ha sido reconocido con premios nacionales e internacionales, gracias a su enfoque sensible, honesto y visualmente potente, que conecta con públicos diverso

In Sucre, Colombia — a region marked by armed conflict — art rises as a symbol of resistance, healing, and cultural pride. Alma Sucreña is a documentary journey that reveals how music, tradition, and collective memory help rebuild the soul of a people.

Director Biography – Greg Mendez Lopez, Fabian Paternina Herazo

Biografía del Director – Fabián Andrés Paternina Herazo

Fabián Andrés Paternina Herazo es un joven director, productor y guionista colombiano nacido en Sincelejo, Sucre. A los 16 años fue becado por el Ministerio de Cultura de Colombia para formarse en realización y producción de cortometrajes, etapa en la que dirigió su primera obra, El Cebollero, galardonada como Mejor Cortometraje Colombiano en el Festival de Cine de Bogotá y exhibida en diversos festivales nacionales e internacionales.

After an encounter with a strange man, Nathan is cursed to vanish from everyone’s memory—his physical presence fading and his existence slipping away. With a literal timer counting down above his head, Nathan has until midnight to unravel the mystery of the curse, or risk being erased from reality forever.

Director Biography – Saif Mir

Saif Mir is an aspiring filmmaker studying at Queen’s University who has a strong passion for kinetic and stylistic editing. Even before making films, he has always had a strong affinity towards video editing. His own unique directing style relies heavily on merging the line between the absurd and reality in the hopes of crafting a style he can call his own.

Divine is an experimental, 2D animated film exploring the beauty and reclamation of femininity in an ethereal world.
Using a painterly and illustrative style, this piece shows the experience of the trials of femininity as it evolves with age.
My intention with this work was to create an immersive visual story that communicates the softness, strength, and complexity of the feminine experience, all while preparing my portfolio. Through color palettes of striking colors and textures, the film guides the viewer through a journey of self-acceptance, growth, and the power of resilience. I wanted to create something that feels both intimate and universal, a celebration of femininity that challenges
traditional storytelling by allowing emotions to take center stage over the plot.

A spirited teen and her cynical older sister embark on a deceptively simple outing, only to confront lingering family wounds and rediscover the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

Director Biography – Claire S. Cohen

Meet Claire S. Cohen, the writer and director of DEAD END, and get to know about the woman behind the camera!

Before Claire discovered her passion for film, she planned to become an educator, teaching in her hometown. After being introduced to filmmaking in high school, her life changed completely. She recognized the ability film has to change the world, and she hopes to create movies that make people feel seen, understood, and loved, uniting communities and creating opportunities for uncomfortable, and important, discussions.

A young man tells his childhood memories through his destroyed old house. We listen to the memories of the young man in the black and white images of this ruined adobe house. As the sun begins to set, the images become more colorful, and children accompany the silence and the image. We witness the feelings of a young man who cannot break away from his roots, connecting him to that old house.

Director Biography – Umut YILMAZER

I was born in Diyarbakır in 1995. I graduated from Dicle University Faculty of Agriculture in 2018. I attended the “City Searching for Writers” workshop of Istanbul City Theatres (İBBŞT). I received novel writing training from Luset Kohen Fins. I graduated from Istanbul University, Radio, Television and Cinema Department in 2023. I worked as a sketch writer for three seasons in a local sketch program shot in Diyarbakır. I publish the short films I shot and a documentary series called “Cinemasal Diary” on my own YouTube channel.

A woman artist, struggling with a mental illness following her mother’s death, tries to overcome society’s judgment and the obstacles caused by her health condition, to regain custody of her daughter.

A girl enters a coffee shop while waiting for her friend. An unknown number sends her a photo of her, taken just before she enters the coffee shop. The unknown person sends the photo several times until…

Director Biography – Maryam Hashempour

Maryam Hashempour is a theater graduate from Soore University in Tehran and a graduate of cinema. I have started my career as an actor in the theater since 1992. I have been invited to perform in festivals in countries such as Russia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Turkey, etc. I have been in Iran and Italy as an actor. I am currently working as a director focusing on filmmaking.

Han Xuan, who had been cheating for a year, became increasingly anxious after a sudden car accident. Greedy, he tried to find a balance between his wife and lover.This film cleverly utilizes suspenseful reasoning techniques, combined with extremely stylized audio-visual expression, to boldly expose some hidden urban male and female emotions to the audience. The creative techniques are delicate and creative, not only shaping distinct character roles, but also showcasing the multifaceted nature of human nature in emotional relationships.

Director Biography – BANG LEI YAN

I graduated from Beijing Film Academy for my undergraduate studies and from Shandong Arts University for my graduate studies. My representative works include web series “Dust” and feature film “Love Ladder”. My personal works have been nominated for various awards at international film festivals such as the 19th Guangzhou University Student Film Festival, the Macau International Film Festival, and the Shanghai International Short Film Week.

Part of this year’s Visions du Réel Film Market official selection, this short film—set in the wetlands of Fornebu, just outside Oslo—blends documentary and experimental cinema to explore the mysterious and deeply felt connection between ornithologists and the birds they study. Filmmaker Maël Mubalegh follows his sister Naïd, herself an ornithologist, as she searches for the elusive marsh warbler—a small migratory songbird whose unusually complex and unpredictable song continues to baffle scientists.

Built around an evocative soundscape created by Mubalegh, composer-researcher Tore Witsø Rafoss, and bioacoustician Joachim Poutaraud, the film gently probes the boundary between the human and the non-human—inviting us to get closer to the world as birds might experience it.

Director Biography – Maël Mubalegh

Maël Mubalegh (b. 1997, Blois, France) is a filmmaker and film student in the joint ECAL/HEAD Master’s program between Lausanne and Geneva. He studied literature, philosophy, and cinema at the Sorbonne, then earned a Master’s in Arts and Languages at EHESS Paris. As a 2018–2019 DAAD scholar, he studied art history and philosophy at Humboldt University in Berlin, where he began developing a cinematic approach blending documentary, experimental film, and fiction—working notably with filmmaker Katrin Eissing.

Flow is a nightmare fuel 2D animation, stop motion, and live action short film, about a skincare company and the horrifying truth of what goes into their products, the lengths consumers will go to meet societal standards of beauty. The film has underlying themes of consumerism and industry manipulation.

Director Biography – Laila Blue

Laila Blue is a Calgary-based filmmaker and storyteller, known for her roles in Cancer Szn and Slugger. FLOW, a mixed-media short that explores the horrors of the skincare industry and the lengths consumers go to for beauty. The film delves into themes of consumerism and industry manipulation, showcasing her bold and uniquely feminine storytelling perspective. FLOW is Laila’s directorial debut, created on a micro-budget of just $1,000 CAD, showcasing her resourceful approach to bold, thought-provoking storytelling.

Linh, a passionate actress, was cast in a horror movie that required her to eat raw meat in one scene. To perfect her role, she practiced by consuming her boyfriend. Since that moment, it’s as if her soul has died…

Director Biography – Phuc Tran, Angie Doan

I once heard that the happiness of a person lies in knowing what they want to pursue, and the true fortune is being able to do what they love. I’m happy because, at a very young age, I already knew that I loved cinema. Now, I will strive to become a fortunate one—directing the films I am truly passionate about.

The road ahead is long, whether paved with roses or filled with thorns. I believe I have the strength, passion, and determination to keep going. With time, I will continue to gain knowledge and experience, ensuring that every step I take is steady and firm.

When Ashfaq, a food delivery executive, is lynched to death by a mob celebrating the inauguration of a new temple, Ragini, Shilpa, Rampal, Nayanika, and Anas are summoned for a police interrogation.
Here, they are subject to questions that have more to do with their identities and less with the case.

Director Biography – Suryansh Deo Srivastava

Suryansh Deo, known online as “toohmuch,” is a Mumbai-based filmmaker. He directed content for major platforms like YouTube and collaborated with leading brands like Google India and MSD. His first short film, Gharelu, resonated with audiences, garnering over 3 million views, while his most recent work, Dhairya ki Seema, was selected for Asia’s largest film festival.

Suryansh’s storytelling is deeply rooted in Indian culture, reflecting the diverse and vibrant ethos of the country. Driven by a passion for creating meaningful cinema, Suryansh aims to tell stories that entertain and inspire. He believes in cinema’s potential to drive social change and is dedicated to highlighting the richness of Indian culture through his work. With a focus on relatable and emotionally engaging narratives, Suryansh aspires to push the boundaries of storytelling and connect with audiences worldwide.

“Gaspar”
In the stillness of his routine, Gaspar an elderly man immersed in solitude repeats a daily gesture, heavy with meaning: he toasts with an empty glass in front of a general’s portrait. An imaginary wine that only appears when guilt surfaces, and the emotional abyss consuming him becomes unavoidable.
Trapped in denial and regret over a difficult period in Chile’s history, his life seems frozen in suspended time. But an unexpected encounter with his past rekindles latent guilt and persistent remorse, forcing him to confront the emotions he has repressed throughout his existence.
Set in a fragmented CHILE, Gaspar’s silent ritual speaks of absence, memory, and an emotionally divided country.
This stop-motion short film, devoid of dialogue, is steeped in visual poetry. Through striking imagery and delicate symbolism, it explores the protagonist’s inner emptiness. Every element of the set from misaligned paintings to fragile textures and the wine that evokes unhealed wounds tells its own story.
How many souls like Gaspar hide behind pride and silence?

Director Biography – ENRIQUE GUSTAVO TAPIA

Graphic Designer and University Teaching Diploma holder with 25 years of experience in the audiovisual field. Specializing in stop-motion animation and prosthetic special effects applied to film, television, and advertising, both in Chile and internationally.

Awarded nationally and internationally for his work in animation, particularly in TV series, children’s content, and advertising campaigns. Also recognized as a university lecturer and for his contributions to anti-bullying campaigns.

Throughout his career, he has worked with major clients such as Chilevisión, TVN, Canal 13, Discovery Kids, Coca-Cola, Movistar, Disney, Walmart, and HBO Latam (Game of Thrones). He contributed as a sculptor and character fabricator in the short film Bestia, nominated for the 2022 Academy Award,
and in the Casa Lobo exhibition.
Additionally, he worked on the Chilean film Los Hiperbóreos and recently directed and animated the stop-motion short film Gaspar.

Disoriented by the sudden passing of his best friend, Beck must grapple with how to finish his teenage years alone and find resolve beyond grief.

Director – Liv Quinn

A young psychologist, a recent graduate, is trying to find out why a group of acting students refuses to return to their classes. She finds herself in the middle of a Circus. The story describes, in a nutshell, the current situation of acting students in Romania – abused by their teachers, tired, frustrated and alienated. A short film inspired by ‘The Empire of Cats’, written by Alex Tocilescu.

Director Biography – Ioan Alexandru Sîrbu

Ioan-Alexandru Sîrbu graduated in 2023 from the Film Directing department of the Theatre and Film Faculty at Babeș-Bolyai University. He directed four short films during his time at school. Additionally, he worked on twelve other student short films in various roles within the production, directing, and camera departments. Alexandru collaborated with the theater department on numerous video and photo projects.
During his time in film-school, he also worked on the feature projects of his professors, Radu Jude and Adrian Sitaru, as an extra and camera assistant.
One of the films he directed, titled “Circ,” was selected at the Early-Bird Student Film Festival in Bulgaria and in the Local Competition at TIFF, Cluj Napoca.
Another short film on which he worked as a director of photography, “The Antichamber”, was selected for the Local Competition at TIFF, Cluj Napoca, and CinemaIubit, Bucharest.

Currently, he is working on his next short film, titled “Rattus norvegicus.”

Sebastian goes past the bus stop and doesn’t know where he is. Start the adventure of trying to return.

Director – Julio Caloggero

If healthy organs, like seeds, can be replanted and heal any failing body, will human life be longer or shorter? An ailing mother slaughtered a vagrant she had been feeding for years for her sick son. To save his mother, the cured son killed for the criminals. They were victims of exploitation as well as violent offenders.

Director Biography – Junsong Ling

Junsong Ling is a Chinese writer/director/editor. His short films screened at festivals like Leeds IFF, Nashville FF, Norwegian Short FF, Bogota Short FF, Strasbourg European Fantastic FF, FANCINE – Fantastic
FF of Málaga and many others.

In life, bad things happen to everyone at random intervals. During these times, even people we have never met, but are aware of their existence, assure us that they will help us without any personal gain, that they will support us, and remind us of how valuable we are. However, when the expected bad situation turns out to be even worse than anticipated, the voices of these strangers fall silent. For a long time, we fight our battles in silence, while the noise inside our heads grows overwhelming. This contrast between external silence and internal chaos is broken by a single voice. Often, this voice belongs to someone who can no longer bear the same silence and noise and doesn’t want others to endure it either. You know how sometimes you just feel like screaming in response to events? Well, this is one of those moments, and this film is about exactly that a slightly more comprehensible way of screaming.

Director Biography – Funda Sevencan

Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine. Worked as a doctor at Nevşehir Type E Closed Prison. Completed a specialty in Public Health at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine. Served as the head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the Diyarbakır Provincial Health Directorate. Earned the title of Associate Professor. Currently works as the supervising doctor at the Bodrum Healthy Life Center. Has authored over 100 publications, presented at scientific meetings, and has been featured in various national and international journals and books.

Marie, a woman in her forties, locks herself in a heavy and silent loneliness. Each day, her routine masks an inner storm that grows. Sometimes visions force themselves to her: a cabin lost in the woods, like an echo of her unhappiness. Prisoner of her thoughts, she’s seeking a way out, a light.

Director Biography – Tomislav Aleksov

Director Biography – Simon Höbert

Director Biography – Harry Waldman

Director Biography – Nicole Wensel

A twisted story of witchcraft & revenge.

Director Biography – Jake Roth

Director Biography – Luis Sandoval

This movie is the story of a happy family!

Director Biography – Gopal Shivakoti

A woman who is highly punctual in her daily life encounters a series of paranormal phenomenons related to her partner, which ultimately forces her to confront the love tragedy she had long denied.

Director Biography – Haibo Wang

A corresponding-style film to the friendships that I have lost over the years as an immigrant from Hong Kong.

Director Biography – Anthony Lee

Hong Konger, filmmaker. Lives and works in Vancouver.

Short film made in argentina in the quarantine
Through the camera we enter a crime scene

Director Biography – Sebastian Vaina

TV producer cameraman.
From 2006 to the present, working in the production company Endemol Argentina.

Director Biography – Sarah Finn

Director Biography – Riley Rheyan

Note this is a PRIVATE LINK

Director – Andros Georgiou

Director Biography – Fernando Pliego García

Julie, a French-Algerian girl who works as a carer for the son of a wealthy couple, sees the peaceful coexistence of the house in danger when the husband confesses Julie that he is in love with her.

Director Biography – Fernando García Pliego

Born in 1972, he works as programmer, but combines his job with a regulate career as amateur cineast since 2011. Graduated in Image and Sound at the Complutense University of Madrid in 1995, he has been camara operator in several Javier López Velasco shorts (Vivir soñando, Ansiedad Express). Lack of Affection (Desamor) is his eleventh shortfilm. Between his previous works, more important ones could be Do you hear me? (¿Me oyes?, 2011), Family Portrait (Foto de familia, 2013), How do you like it? (¿Cómo te gusta?, 2015) and, especially, The Ball (La pelota, 2017), best Iberiamerican Short in Iberofest 2018 and Best International ShortFilm in XI Edizione Corto e Cultura Film Festival in Manfredonia, between other awards and more than 60 international selections.

A hitman thinks he’s on a routine mission, but he’s got another think coming.

Director Biography – TL WESTGATE

Director Biography – Onur Yagiz

DIRECTOR’S BIOGRAPHY

Director Statement

DIRECTOR’S FILMOGRAPHY

FATIH THE CONQUEROR (15’, 1.85, Color, BAXTER Films, 2023)
TOPRAK (11’, 1.33, Black and White, Les Films VELVET, 2017)
PATIKA (23’, 2.35, Color, Les films VELVET, 2013)

This film follows new student Lilith as she navigates high school relationships while battling blatant misogyny. Along side her new friends she overcomes her struggles with demonic help.

At the age of 30, Parastoo prepares for the Sex reassignment surgery, which she faces a problem that she must solve and understand.

Director Biography – Mohsen Nabavi

Mohsen Nabavi (Persian: محسن نبوی‎, born 2 August 1979 in Shiraz) is an Iranian Director, Scriptwriter and Actor.

He started his work by making short narrative film entitled “These Days” for Iranian Young Cinema Society (IYCS). He has also written for several movie newspapers and magazines like ‘Banifilm’ and ‘Shortfilmnews’. He has won numerous awards from national and international film festivals for short film “Save me”, such as “Best Drama” at ‘Global Short Film Awards’, Kuala Lumpur, Savigliano, Greenmotion.

Director Statement

To get a good and fair idea in JUMPING short film, I interviewed 28 different transgender people. The more I researched the subject, the more I became convinced that I had to show a small part of the different and difficult lives of these people to others in the form of a drama. Stories to be told about this that can help them live a normal life like ordinary people in society.
JUMPING short film is a co-production Iran and the United States, which was made with the spiritual support of the World Film Institute and the Hilaj production in Iran.

Greg Biltmore doesn’t want to attend his 10 year high school reunion, but he does want to show off to his old bullies, so he downloads an app called DOPPEL-4U that hires a doppelgänger to go for him.

Director Biography – Malka Martz-Oberlander

Malka Martz-Oberlander is a 20 year old independent writer, director, camera operator and current film student at Capilano University, based in so-called Vancouver B.C. Canada. Her plan is to fix the world through comedy and explore the new ways we can use humour to grapple with tough subjects. Her work is driven by curiosity and out-of the box thinking and a passion to talk in third person.

Director Statement

It’s very easy to hide from who we really are. This film is a fictionalized take on my experience growing up about having to confront the fact that we all want to be someone else, but sometimes that “someone else” just isn’t as good as you.

RatingsRate

Mazhar, who works in a library and is so fond of books and languages that he knows the location of all the books in the library by heart, lives alone with his parrot, but cannot be at work on time the next morning because he reads until late.

Determined to read even the poet Federico Garcia Lorca in Spanish, Mazhar feels “stuck” by the arabesque culture around him and the discomford created by the Arabic signs and another lanquage that has entered his life. There is another person who will listen to the character of Mazhar, who cannot tell his troubles to anyone and is alienated, and who is shaken by the tragic news of the refugees he encounters in the media, and that is the other Mazhar who often comes across him. After losing his job, he will not only look for a new job, but will make an inner journey that he will not say ‘yes’ to the result, but that he must accept involuntarily.

Director Biography – Serkan Aktaş

IDENTIFICATION

Name and Surname : Serkan AKTAŞ
Birth Date : 04.12.1989
Place of Birth : Istanbul/ Turkey

EDUCATION

University-1 : Anadolu University Faculty of Business Administration Department of Business Administration (2008-2013)

University-2 : Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Science Department of Mathematics (2009-2014)

Certificate : Istanbul Cinema Academy Film School (2015-2016)

Master Degree : Beykent University Institute of Social Sciences, Film and TV Master of Arts (2015 – 2017)

Doctorate Degree : Beykent University Institute of Graduate Studies, Film and TV, Doctor of Arts (2017 – 2022)

FILMOGRAPHY
Mirrorty (2017) (Short Film)
Resurrection under the Ocean (2021) (Short Film)
The Librarian (2022) (Short Film)
The Death Ox (2022) (Short Film)
Lucky Coin ! (2022) (Short Film)

Director Statement

The starting point of the movie “The Librarian” was to build a story through one of the lonely, uncommunicative people who are influenced by social life, who have boundaries within themselves and who want to break these boundaries.

The protagonist in the movie is a reader, a book lover, moreover, a person who highly values the human-society-life bonds provided by the language, and tries to ‘learn a language’ just for this purpose in order to read a poet he loves in his own language.

The main reason for his inner conflict is the spread of another culture and language (Arabic) in his country, which opened its doors to immigrants for political reasons, and therefore the deep crisis occurred, as well as his emotional shock with the tragic news of the refugees he came across in the media and his unemployment. He is still looking for the solution of this situation he is in. For this reason, the character/personality in the story is developed by dividing the screen into two. In a way, it was aimed to make the audience understand the character’s situation better with the help of this duality.

TR
“Kütüphaneci” filminin çıkış noktası toplumsal yaşamın etkilediği, kendi içinde sınırları oluşan ve bu sınırları kırmak isteyen, yalnızlaşmış, iletişimsiz insanlardan biri üzerinden bir hikaye kurmaktı.

Filmdeki başkarakter okuma, kitap tutkunu, daha ötesinde dilin sağladığı insan-toplum-yaşam bağlarına fazlaca değer veren, salt bu amaçla sevdiği bir ozanı kendi dilinde okumak için ‘dil öğrenmeye’ çalışan kişidir.

Onun siyasi nedenlerle kapılarını göçmenlere açan ve bu nedenle derin krizin oluştuğu ülkesinde bir başka kültür ve dilin (Arapça) yaygınlaşması, ayrıca medyada rastladığı mültecilerin trajik haberleriyle ve işsiz kalmasıyla duygusal sarsılması iç çatışmasının başlıca nedenidir. İçinde olduğu bu durumun çözümünü yine içinde aramaktadır. Bu nedenle hikayede karakter/kişilik –ekranı ikiye bölerek- geliştirilmiştir. Bir bakıma izleyicinin karakterin durumunu bu ikilik yardımıyla daha iyi anlaması sağlanmak istenmiştir.

Director Biography – Riley Rheyan

Director Statement

This version of the film is a festival cut at 7min in length which is part of a longer film 17min and 47sec. All other aspects of the film (cast, crew, cost) listed is based on the full version.

A short story about magic, loss and self discovery. It’s a film that explores our relationships, it could be called a love story… but it’s more than that. It’s a story about the people we meet on our journey, the people that become significant part of our lives; our family, our friends, our mentors and our lovers. And the choices we make; what is important and what is just noise that distracts us.

Original soundtrack: https://open.spotify.com/album/2Q0pEyMkuTDShcsG9kM6Rn?si=bKvokROcRRGrkd6ixMXBLA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A2Q0pEyMkuTDShcsG9kM6Rn

Director Biography – Joanna Kolodziej

Born in Warsaw, and at the age of 10 left on an overnight train with my parents and a backpack in which I had 2 books (The Jungle Book, and Greek Myths), not knowing that I would only have those 2 books for the next year to entertain myself in a small mountain village in Austria as we awaited passage to Canada.

Attended grade school and high school in Windsor Ontario, which was once again a whiplash experience from cottage country to motor city (a small brother to Detroit across the river), where I promised my gaggle of girlfriends to write a book about our Friday nights with cars, bars, and various hotel parties we threw, attended or crashed (you pick which verb goes with what noun!)

Got accepted to Waterloo engineering, but didn’t expect to go because it was so expensive, until my Mom filled a truck full of furniture that she was great at selling, and shipped me off to the best engineering school in Canada (according to Maclean’s Magazine) to kick-start my career.

After graduating, ended up in Vancouver, once again a culture shock from the east coast rat-race to west coast chill vibe and working in clean tech before climate change was stressing everyone out. Here, I continued to write, and discovered my true calling, program management, basically telling people what to do… and… when I met my significant other, who introduced me to film, discovered that managing programs, is very similar to directing a film. So, I crossed over, and here I am. Enjoying every minute of every day, and especially those sunrises on my balcony that you see in the film.

Director Statement

Words of wisdom from my East European parents as I left for university; engineering will put food on the table, once that’s covered, you can write as many stories as you want.

After finally furnishing her new home, Ashley decides to host her best friends for a housewarming get-together. She tries her best to keep herself composed, and her friends alive, in spite of their terrible and life-threatening suggestions on what activities to do for the night.

Director Biography – David J Porras

Growing up in Colorado Springs, CO, director David J. Porras became enamored with cinema at a young age. After dropping out of college at the age of 22, David spent years working menial jobs just struggling to survive. At the age of 30, David returned to school at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in order to pursue his greatest passion. Filmmaking. As David’s final requirement for graduation, he created a horror-comedy capstone film titled, “The To-DoN’T List.” David is interested in attending graduate school and evetually relocating to California in order to more actively pursue his passion for filmmaking.

Director Statement

“The To-DoN’T List” was created as my final capstone project at UCCS. The film, as was required, was shot in a single 12-hour work day, with the initial cut being completed less than a week later.

Co-created and produced with First Nations and Metis community members in Alberta.

Director Biography – Kate P.R. Dunn

Director Statement

Director / Producer
Kate Dunn (Mississauga First Nation)

Videographers
Rene Collins (Metis)
Kate Dunn (Mississauga First Nation)

Graphic Artist
Katriona Dunn (Mississauga First Nation)

Music
Olivia Tailfeathers (Kainai First Nation)
Sherryl Sewepagaham (Little Red River Cree First Nation)

The film “Des savoirs de la terre” (Knowledge from the earth) questions our relationship with the living world through the traditional uses of plants, which are food, remedies or spiritual protectors. Cape Verdean inhabitants and two ethnobotanists from the Occitane region testify to the links they have with plants through local rituals and gathering practices before alerting us to the disappearance of this cultural heritage. This documentary calls on us to reappropriate confiscated local knowledge in order to rethink our way of living in our territory.

Director Biography – Lola Keraron, Anne Ratsimba

Lola Keraron is an AgroParisTech engineer, specialised in politcal ecology and director of the documentary series PAMacée. She became interested in medicinal plants when she entered engineering school. She joined a student project that took her to Senegal to train women in the cultvaton of annual mugwort, a plant with ant-malarial propertes. In 2019, as part of a year’s break, she and another agronomy student are creatng a web series enttled PAMacée with the aim of questoning our Western concepton of health and revaluing local knowledge about medicinal plants.
In a concern for ecological coherence, the apprentce director embarked on a sailing boat to Senegal and the health crisis led her to stay in Cape Verde for four months. She lived with local people and interviewed farmers, therapists, doctors and breeders who treat people with plants. On her return to France, she fnished her studies and trained as a journalist with the independent media Bastamag, which is commited to ecological and social issues. Since October 2021, she has dedicated herself to the directon and producton of the PAMacée series and to other ecological commitments.

“Resurrection under the Ocean” is about the resurrection of a man who was helplessly sinking to the bottom of the ocean, after falling to the bottom of the ocean, with a symbolic narrative.

Director Biography – Serkan Aktaş

IDENTIFICATION

Name and Surname : Serkan AKTAŞ
Birth Date : 04.12.1989
Place of Birth : Istanbul/ Turkey

EDUCATION

University-1 : Anadolu University Faculty of Business Administration Department of Business Administration (2008-2013)

University-2 : Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Science Department of Mathematics (2009-2014)

Certificate : Istanbul Cinema Academy Film School (2015-2016)

Master Degree : Beykent University Institute of Social Sciences, Film and TV Master of Arts (2015 – 2017)

Doctorate Degree : Beykent University Institute of Graduate Studies, Film and TV, Doctor of Arts (2017 – 2022)

FILMOGRAPHY
Mirrorty (2017) (Short Film)
Resurrection under the Ocean (2021) (Short Film)
The Librarian (2022) (Short Film)
The Death Ox (2022) (Short Film)
Lucky Coin ! (2022) (Short Film)

Director Statement

“Resurrection Under the Ocean” depicts the resurrection of humanity in the darkest place of the ocean in a symbolic way through a helpless character. The film’s metaphorical narrative style and its use of fictional and formal elements aim to bring a different-unique approach to cinema. It offers a visual feast with the harmony of music and choreography.
In the deepest part of the ocean, death is tried to be portrayed in the dark. Then, the pain of resurrection, which begins with the sound of a whale symbolizing vitality, is completed when the character comes to the surface of the sea.
I can say that with the film “Resurrection Under the Ocean”, it is a film that develops the tendency of other films I have made to benefit from tradition, this time in a different form and framework.

TR
“Okyanusun Altında Diriliş” filmi çaresiz bir karakter üzerinden okyanusun en karanlık yerinde insanlığın dirilişini sembolik bir tarzda anlatıyor. Filmin metaforik anlatım tarzıyla kurmacayı ve biçimsel unsurları kullanış biçimi sinemaya farklı-benzersiz bir yaklaşım getirmeyi amaçlıyor. Müzik ve koreografinin uyumuyla görsel bir şölen sunuyor.
Okyanusun en derin yerinde, karanlıkta ölüm resmedilmeye çalışılır. Ardından canlılığı sembolize eden balina sesiyle başlayan diriliş sancısı karakterin denizin yüzeyine çıkmasıyla tamamlanır.
“Okyanusun Altında Diriliş” filmiyle, yaptığım diğer filmlerin gelenekten yararlanma eğilimini, bu kez farklı bir biçimde ve çerçevede geliştiren bir film olduğunu söyleyebilirim.

Director Biography – mohammad ferajzade

2017 – fest100 (Winner of Award candidate for Best Film Festival – statue of the Festival, diploma and cash award for Best documentary of the experience to 30 million rials)

Director Statement

A young nurse must fight for her life when her house has been invaded by an unearthly intruder.

Director Biography – Roshni “Rush” Bhatia

Roshni Bhatia is a writer-director who grew up in Mumbai, India. A science fiction and horror fan inspired by the films of James Cameron, Jason Blum and the writings of Richard Matheson, she came to the United States in 2018 to study film. Her short films have been screened at film festivals around the world and she recently a short horror film, Plasmid, the story of a young woman trapped in her house by an alien presence. She’s currently writing her first feature.

Director Statement

Roshni Bhatia is a writer-director who grew up in Mumbai, India. A science fiction and horror fan inspired by the films of James Cameron, Jason Blum and the writings of Richard Matheson, Roshni sought inspiration from their masterpieces (both visually and narratively) and created an original concept titled, ‘Plasmid’. She came to the United States in 2018 to study film. Although the goal is to have Plasmid screened at quality film festivals, she hopes the audience can take away something inspiring from her movie. Her short films have been screened at film festivals around the world and she recently a short horror film, Plasmid, the story of a young woman trapped in her house by an alien presence. She’s currently writing her first feature.

Director Biography – Alireza Kazemipour

Director Biography – Valentina Galdi

Director Biography – Justin MacGregor

Justin grew up in Canada’s beautiful Okanagan Valley. He is the co-founder of Roguescots, a commercial videography and narrative film production house, based in Vancouver, Canada.

There once was a lady from the sea, born from the corals and the currents, the tides and the waves. These are the lessons that she taught me.

Director Biography – Emmett Sparling

Emmett Sparling has been creating films for the past few years on his travels. He is constantly inspired by nature and the power of the ocean.

Director Statement

When a wife realizes her husband is living out his dream as a stand up comic, she feels that she has lost her purpose.

Director – Maria Filippone

Director Biography – Tristan Risk

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm2021381

Director Biography – Maaike Middleton

Director Biography – Lamberto Guerra

English:

Lamberto Guerra (Gran Canaria, Spain, 1984)

Growing up, we girls are taught to colour within the margins someone drew for us. We are taught to say yes even when we want to say no. We are taught stay in the smallest place we can find.

Director Biography – Agustín Domínguez

English:

Agustín Domínguez (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, 1965)

He studied Economics at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University (ULPGC). In 1985 he studied Photography, and in 2000, he started in digital cinema in a self-taught way. He founded and chaired Gran Angular Association and “San Rafael en Corto” Short Film Festival (SREC). In 2005 he recorded a video clip for Non Trubada (a music band) called “Agüita de amor”. In 2013, Gran Angular Association with Agustín Domínguez as its director, shooted the short film “El Señor G” which was included in the Official Section at Las Palmas Film Festival. In 2018 he shooted the documentary titled “Unknown, Palestinian women under occupation”. This feature was selected in the La Palma Festivalito (2019). His short film called “Renacer” was part of the Official Section of FIC Gáldar (2019) and won the Audience Award at the 15th SREC (2019).

(Short) A Man Walks Into A Bank, pre Covid 19, with a mask on, and alarm bells ring. The same man walks into the same bank post Covid 19, without a mask, and the same alarm bells ring.

(Long) A Man Walks Into A Bank, pre Covid 19, with a mask on, and alarm bells ring. The same man walks into the same bank post Covid 19, without a mask, and the same alarm bells ring.
The movie an observation that something that may be unusual or peculiar, or even illegal or wrong today in a certain setting, may seem normal or acceptable, or legal and right tomorrow in another setting.
Or the setting may stay the same but as the time changes, what was odd, strange, illegal or wrong at one time, is now normal, acceptable, legal and right in another time.

Director Biography – James Whitelaw

I am an illustrator and animator, and have been for 23 years. I was very influenced by Herge (creator of Tintin) as a child, and this influence comes through in a lot of the work I do.
I am also an African, and this influences my work too.
My background is in civil engineering, and I came to illustration and animation later in life, at around the age of 30 years old. I focus on good story telling. In my opinion, nice pictures without a strong story is less impactful than strong stories with average visuals. Story to me is key.
I am working on a few longer format and bigger projects, I always have a few projects (films) in creation at one time.

Director Statement

This is a short skit type animation, set around Covid-19

Often times couples find themselves so emotionally exhausted from the issues that plague their relationship, they look for a way out and make the decision.

Director – Shridhar Bhat

Adhering to the dogma of Bretarianism, Mom conducts a joint 21-day experiment with her 10-year-old daughter. At this time, it is forbidden to eat and drink, only breathe and look at the sun. What will Mother come to in this experiment to understand the fatality of her actions?

Director Biography – Yana Belyaeva

Belyaeva Yana Valeryevna was born on March 24, 1981 in Russia (Orenburg region). Dad was a military man, mom was a librarian. In 1988 she went to school, and in 1989 she moved to Ukraine (Donetsk region), where she graduated from a comprehensive school and a music school in the domra class.
In 1996, she entered the Donetsk College of Music, which she graduated in 2000 with a degree in folk instruments (artist and conductor of the orchestra, teacher of domra). In the same year, she moved to Kiev, where she graduated from the National Academy of Leading Personnel of Culture and Arts with a degree in Theater Arts (director, artistic director) comprehensive school and a music school in the domra class.
From 2002 to 2012 she worked in the restaurant business, from 2013 – a freelancer. In 2019, she took part in a workshop from the Kiev film school Ukrainian Film School and the Closer art center. As a result, in her idea and script, she shot the short film «Life Without Food», which was shown in Odessa at special short film screenings from Ukrainian Film School as part of the Odesa International Film Festival.

The Accomplishment – Written by Nick Sesh
Logline: The story of a man who finds his true calling after losing everything.
Steve visits the grave of his daughter on the way to a job interview and expresses his anxiety. The interview doesn’t go as well as he would have liked and he misses out on the opportunity. When he gets home, his young wife, Candy, reminds him that he needs to find work soon as she would like to have a child before she gets older. They have an argument and she walks out of the house. Steve decides to take a walk in nature to try and improve his mood. He gets lost and is saved by the forest ranger’s dog, and is guided back to civilization.
The next day, while looking at job advertisements in the newspaper, he hears a little boy creating a tantrum as the balloon shop is closed and he wanted one. Steve takes out his notebook and sketches the boy holding balloons and gives it to him. The boy accepts the sketch and looks at it and smiles. Steve decides to change his profession and creates doodles for a living instead.

Director Biography – Nick Sesh

Nick Sesh is primarily a story-teller. He has been and continues to do so through photography, blogs, poetry, scripts and now his films. He hasn’t studied film in the traditional sense. He has been to a few workshops and did a bit of theater in India and was drawn to directing the actors perform more dramatically. He enjoys creating stories that are haunting, intense, and tugs at heart strings. He loves getting new music and song written and created to add to his own creations to produce fantastic results.

Director Statement

I am grateful to have finally found my calling in life. But this may also change and isn’t limited just to film. I welcome collaboration from any and every one and believe that we need to come together to change the world and create positive vibrations. I intend to do that through the medium of film and music.

Anke Ames’ attitude towards life is loving: people, music, ideas. That was the way, the violist, author und drawing artist found her center. Her last hospital residence was a couple of years ago. The doctors call it a bipolar disorder. Anke herself describes her mission as “shade guzzling”.

Director Biography – Ulrike Korbach

1963 born in Münster / Westfalia
186 – 1991 Study of Photootodesign FH Bielefeld
1998 – 2000 Training as media designer for image and sound, Werkhof Hohenlimburg
2002 – Documentary “Over seven bridges” about trying to break out
2005 – Documentary “You must fight”about Cho Lucas Ayaba, Cameroonian oppositionist, freedom fighter and refugee in Germany.
2007 – Documentary. “Rat race”, a film about a Cameroonian girl and her first two years in Germany
2007 – „One minute – one river“ ten directors show their view of the river Emscher,
a production of the festival “Blicke”.
seit 2011 – Lecturer UZwei Cultural Education at the Dortmunder U
seit 2016 – Guest Lecturer TU Dortmund
2019 – Documentary “Nachts kommen die Bilder” Family portrait of the Wölfel family, a former forced laborer and her children
2020 – “Shade Guzzling”. Documentary about Anke Ames, musician and poet with bipolar disorder

Director – Sukhdeep Singh

Katya is a professional singer from the town of Pernik. Together with her husband and their orchestra she was one of the most famous women in the city during communism. Katya sang at the opening of all the “achievements of socialist labor – / opening of hotels, restaurants, creative homes, etc.”. But after the fall of communism in life and things get confused. The little son and son raped and maltreated women, and for that he was imprisoned. After serving his sentence and returning to Pernik, he begins to beat his mother, sister and father. Katya’s husband dies after the violence, and her son is in jail again. For Katya and her daughter, they have no chance to continue living in fear and terror from the killer-rapist, and they have no home anymore, and they are hiding in a crisis center. Katya has an eccentric look, her life has passed on stage, although her career did not go beyond the provincial level. Katya’s daughter was quick to marry in the Netherlands after dating on the internet to save herself and her mother from her brother’s threats and misery. Katya runs to the Netherlands, but keeps craving for the stage and for singing with the orchestra. She finds peace and stability with her Dutch son-in-law while helping to raise little Katya, the granddaughter that bears her name.

Director Biography – Efemia Fard

Born on 31.12.1972. in Sofia, lawyer in SBA, with magistrates in law and health management, married with three children. From 2012- present in the NBU Sofia – training in the acquisition of a master’s degree in “Film and Television Arts”, with specialization: “Film and Television Directing” – semester graduate.
“ONE DAY IN THE FIRE”, documentary film Awards: “Thracian Rhyton” – the special prize at the 3 rd International Festival 2015. “Slavic Fairy Tale”, The International Academy of Arts Award – Paris 2015 “BESARARIAN DREAMS” and “ONE DAY IN THE FIRE” were presented at the International TV Forum in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China, between December 15-17, and were selected for broadcasting in the programs of Russian REN TV and Chinese People’s Television in 2015.
“BESARARIAN DREAMS” – The Special Prize of the 2nd International Festival 2014 “Slavic Fairytale” – “Golden Rose”
The prize of the International Academy of Arts – Paris 2015
2016г. – “Mother I am,” Doc. Film 21 min. Director and screenwriter Excellent with the special award “St. George the Victorious” at the 4th International Festival 2016. “Slavic Fairytale “.
2017. – “Controlled breaths of air” 30 min.
Grand Prix Grand Prix at the 5th International Cinema and TV Festival.

In Roshni Bhatia’s short film, Shadow at the Door, a troubled young woman searches for an intruder in her home unaware that what she’s really looking for may be something she refuses to see.

Director Biography – Roshni “Rush” Bhatia

Roshni Bhatia is a writer-director who grew up in Mumbai, India. A science fiction and horror fan inspired by the films of James Cameron, Jason Blum and the writings of Richard Matheson, she came to the United States in 2018 to study film. Her short films have been screened at film festivals around the world. She’s currently writing her first feature.

Drew has it all, the dream, the girl, and the future at his fingertips. Unfortunately, life rarely takes that into consideration. Through an accident, Drew loses the function of his legs and
begins his dive into depression. After pushing away everything that has mattered to him, Drew finds himself in a world he’s never known. Presented with the opportunity, to free himself from the darkness of his thoughts, Drew must decide to either sink or swim.

Director – David Weishaar

Director Biography – Alireza Kazemipour

A group of 4 students was abducted by an Unidentified creature. 4 kids are trying to escape from the shell , film deals how they escape and why and who the real creature was.

Director Biography – Arun Mohan

Arun Mohan is an Indian filmmaker and writer.

The world of underground couriers first introduced in Alex Fernandez’s Sarah now continues to expand with SASHA. A Russian female courier that operates in New York City. In the underground world of couriers there is no one you can trust.

Director Biography – Alex Fernandez

Alex Fernandez is a Brooklyn, New York-based writer, producer and independent
filmmaker. Known for the critically acclaimed web series Body Jumpers and Dawn,
Alex Fernandez creates radically engaging stories as an endless wellspring of
interesting new ideas.

Music Videos

This music video about the experience of being new in a big city. Based on original song written by Steve Barker. There is short video about the making of this music video – some or all of which may be suitable as a trailer (link added there).

Director Biography – Eric Vincent Hinch

Eric’s filmmaking captures the beating heart of a story. With a strong background in theatre as an actor/ director/ kids performer/ writer and producer- he knows whether a story should utilize conventional methods or be unleashed with wild imagination.

On the edge of a serene lake in Fayoum, Egyptian artist Ziad Zaza sits with friends, quietly pining for a veiled girl who doesn’t notice him. Life buzzes around them kids play, laughter echoes, beauty unfolds yet something remains unreachable. Shot in the heart of rural Egypt, Beto2af Leih tells a story of emotional distance and cultural barriers, interwoven with imagery of children seeking joy and escape through nature. A music video that’s equal parts visual storytelling and lyrical reflection.

Director Biography – Mostafa Radwan El kashef

Mostafa El Kashef
Throughout his illustrious journey on the global stage, Mostafa El Kashef a renowned visual
artist, producer, and director of photography (DOP) has lent his creative prowess to 13
cinematic masterpieces that garnered numerous accolades at several prestigious film
festivals around the world.

The main character is trapped in a obession loop. This loop is repeated even though she tries to get out of it. She tries to interact with the obsessions but they ignore her. They are immersed in their own obessions (rare / strident actions) and every time become more anxious until a final moment that she manages to get out. When she gets out, she is soaked in sweat but she goes from despair to relief.

Aleix Barba Perarnau

Director

Director Biography – Joël Gibbs

“Resurrection under the Ocean” is about the resurrection of a man who was helplessly sinking to the bottom of the ocean, after falling to the bottom of the ocean, with a symbolic narrative.

Director Biography – Serkan Aktaş

IDENTIFICATION

Name and Surname : Serkan AKTAŞ
Birth Date : 04.12.1989
Place of Birth : Istanbul/ Turkey

EDUCATION

University-1 : Anadolu University Faculty of Business Administration Department of Business Administration (2008-2013)

University-2 : Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Science Department of Mathematics (2009-2014)

Certificate : Istanbul Cinema Academy Film School (2015-2016)

Master Degree : Beykent University Institute of Social Sciences, Film and TV Master of Arts (2015 – 2017)

Doctorate Degree : Beykent University Institute of Graduate Studies, Film and TV, Doctor of Arts (2017 – 2022)

FILMOGRAPHY
Mirrorty (2017) (Short Film)
Resurrection under the Ocean (2021) (Short Film)
The Librarian (2022) (Short Film)
The Death Ox (2022) (Short Film)
Lucky Coin ! (2022) (Short Film)

Director Statement

Three climate depressed parents meet dancing musicians, and learn the joy in taking action.

Director Biography – Janne Tavares

Building on his background as theatre composer, and more lately as film editor, Janne has directed a couple of short musicals and music videos

Music video shot on streets of Tokyo. It is a story of a young photographer who is inspired by streets and people. He brings his imagination into life with his camera and graphics. Enjoy!

Flat earthers and skaters abduct a Mexican version of the yellow family in a trash grind rhythm.

Director – Esteban Azuela

– PUYAKA –
Kwabena Issa Twamesi

Born in Nigeria,
grown up in Ghana,
stayed at Jamaica

currently
residing
near

Beyoglu,
Istanbul,
Turkey.

He gained himself the stage name “Puyaka”
by writing and singing hip-hop
with some practical support from Ghana.

His learnt craft is taking care of hair and facial hair.
His shop is visited by many African People on a regular basis.
He works with his sister there, each handling the same gender.

Passersby call “Puyaka!”
and cause a ruckus in front of the barber shop
during crowded day and twilight time.

Puyaka has a family in Ghana as well,
the parents and relatives await for good news
and the usual trade money to come in.
He sells shipped canned food and other local products
imported from Ghana to keep things fresh.

Other than his daily chores,
he ponders off to pray and sing and tell
about what life could offer.

two days
till 29 ends.

2021

Director – ANIL YURDAKUL

When creativity gets punished as error, freedom must be sought.

Director Biography – Karl Bou-Rjeily

Director Statement

For 40 years, Spoons have been one of Canada’s most successful bands, and they are still going strong. With this newest CD out, their first in nearly a decade, they visit a historical haunted mansion in The First & Last Time. Do you believe in ghosts?

Director Biography – Peter Sacco

• Author of 30 plus books—fiction and non-fiction and published on 4 continents.
• Resident expert and regular of Top 50 USA radio and TV markets including Fox, CBS, ABC, ESPN, Coast to Coast, iHeart and over 100 other major radio and TV networks.
• Award-winning executive producer of the film ‘Fragile Storm’ directed by Dawn Fields starring Lance Henriksen
• Producer, director and actor—17 production credits, 8 acting credits and 3 writing credits (IMDB)
• Author of more than 800 articles (self-help and fiction) appearing in major news media world- wide, including The LA Times
• University and College professor for 23 years.
• Regular guest at Canadian and American Comic Cons

Director Statement

Everyday we live art in some way, as we are the artists to what we chose and create our lives to be and become.

Sylvia Yu Friedman is an award-winning journalist, filmmaker, international speaker, and writer. She is the author of two books, Silenced No More: Voices of Comfort Women, the only journalistic account of historical Japanese military sex slavery during WWII, and Heart and Soul: The Life Story of Augustus Chao.

A current affairs documentary producer, former TV anchor, and advisor to philanthropists, Sylvia was among the Top 100 Human Trafficking & Slavery Influence Leaders List in 2017 by Assent Compliance. She won the prestigious 2013 International Human Rights Press Award for her three-part documentary series on human trafficking in China, Hong Kong, and Thailand.

After ten years of intensive research and interviewing elderly survivors, academics, lawyers and activists in different nations, Sylvia is considered a global expert on “comfort women” military sex slavery. She’s been interviewed or featured on the BBC, CNN, SCMP, the Globe and Mail, CGTN, among others, and covered widely in Asia and the Chinese media. Sylvia is a SheSource expert of the Women’s Media Center, founded by Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem, and is listed in a database of women experts who serve as a resource for journalists.

Sylvia believes her core calling is using her communication skills to mobilize people and resources to help those suffering in the most marginalized places. Since 2005 Sylvia has managed and directed millions of dollars to major humanitarian portfolios impacting at least more than one million people. This work has given her access to many influential networks in different countries.

Sylvia led a Hong Kong–based movement of “passionate compassion” against human trafficking that involved more than 120 churches, NGOs, and organizations and later expanded to other nations like Malaysia, China, Canada, South Africa, and the U.S.. Through more than fifty-five slavery awareness events, her team reached more than 25,000 people in eighteen months in universities, schools, and major corporations like Goldman Sachs.

Sylvia is married to Matthew Friedman, a leading global expert on slavery, the CEO of The Mekong Club, and former United Nations director. Together in the summer of 2016 they gave 113 presentations in 27 U.S. cities. She and Matthew are based in Hong Kong. (end)

Director Statement

Issachar Productions tells stories to change the world. We hire vulnerable & marginalized people as production crew.

Cassandre Émanuel is a passionate multidisciplinary artist. Originally from Abitibi, the Actress, playwrighter, director and producer had a personal and varied path. Since graduating from the theater school in 2012, she has taken part in several projects, including Denis Côté’s feature film Que ta joie demeure, the popular Tv show District 31, as well as the web series Trak on Vrak.TV.
With regard to the theater, she played, among other things, the title role in Ondinok’s play Métusse. Still in theater, she has written and staged, amoug others, the play And the lovers will have cataracts. Her play Monsieur Victor won best Francophone production at the Frankie Prize 2012.
As for the realization, she realized the short film Brandy. Cassandre Émanuel is currently nominated for Best director for her docu -fiction Les jumeaux dizygotes who is presented in internationals films festivals.
In respect of music videos, she directed Comme Douze by Simon Kingbury, nominated for video of the year at Gamiq 2017. She realized as well Gang de rang by Elexir de Gumbo winner of Best Music Video at LA Edge Film Awards 2018. Her Music Video Longtemps by Mauves was presented in a dozen international festivals and was nominated several times.
The video also won the Best Music Video Award at the Feel The Reel Film Festival 2018.
Concerning her work in cinema, Cassandre Émanuel is currently working on the production of her first feature film Le Règne éphémère.

Web Series

An ongoing series that follows Star and TV, who travel through people’s dreams helping them. There are currently 5 episodes, with episode 6 and a second season on the way!

When Liam’s harmless crush on a charming waiter named Dex spirals into an elaborate fantasy world, he seeks therapy once he can no longer distinguish between their actual brief interactions and the relationship he’s created in his mind.

Director Biography – Juss Thrasher

Juss Thrasher is a dynamic multi-hyphenate creator whose innovative vision spans across film, television, podcasting, and multimedia production.

His storytelling prowess first garnered widespread recognition with “Greyscale,” an award-winning indie feature film that captured the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 2020 Chelsea Film Festival. Building on this success, Thrasher collaborated
with Emmy-nominated director Yaniel Paulino on their compelling
feature film “Something of Value,” which made its debut at the
prestigious 2023 New York Latino Film Festival, screening at New York City’s REGAL theaters.

Join young Kyssara as she goes on a journey of delicious delights!

Director Biography – Anne Mueller

Anne Mueller was born in Toronto, Ontario. She attended Central Technical School for the 4 year Design and Arts Program. During her studies, Anne was selected for an internship with CBC Television. She was also involved in acting in theatre and television and film.
Anne continued her studies at the University of Alberta in Education with a major in the Dramatic Arts. In 2021, Anne was chosen as a first time producer by Telus STORYHIVE and was provided a grant to write, direct and produce a children’s series for television, which is currently renewed for a third season.

Director Statement

My goal as a parent, and creator, was to create a film that inspired children to have fun in the kitchen. Cooking is an essential life skill that should be enjoyable. Most of the recipes selected for the show, Kyssara is making for the first time, so everyone is truly learning together.

Director Biography – David Ash

A not-quite-influencer takes his vlogging to a new level when he moonlights as a private detective…

(Season 1 is seven 5-minute episodes for 36m TRT; link is to episode playlist; if only one episode is allowed, please view Episode 4; if only three, view 3, 4, and 5.)

Director – Steven Ellis

Director Biography – David Ash

A soldier gets sent back in time where he gets lost in an unknown place and time.

Director Biography – Isaac Rodriguez

Isaac Rodriguez is a filmmaker whose work is characterized by a strong connection to weird tales and horror, with an effort to infuse visual or poetic beauty. He has a lifelong fascination with ancient myths and folklore, which he considers symbols of great mystery and wonder. Through his films, Rodriguez takes the normal world we live in and turns us inside out down with fear when we least expect it.

Director Biography – Jabbari Omar Weekes, Tichaon Tapambwa, Phil Witmer

I am an emerging Caribbean director based in Toronto who is focused on creating slice-of-life and fantasy stories within the diasporic community.

Director Statement

Caitlynn was born and raised in the Georgia suburbs and received her bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Performance Studies with an acting concentration. After college, Caitlynn moved to Atlanta to pursue a career in film, both behind and in front of the camera. After dipping her toe into many different departments, Caitlynn joined IATSE 479 as an set electrician and continues to book work on union sets. Simultaneously, she looks for independent projects to explore her passion for directing and pursue opportunities to practice different roles in the film industry. With the release of “The Unsuperheroes” web series, Caitlynn made her debut as an indie director, and hopes to pursue other directing opportunities while maintaining her career as a union electrician.

GRITZMORE is a psychedelic visual art sketch comedy series. Not based in politics or current events, Gritzmore aims to make you forget about reality and just laugh at its absurdity.

Episode 1 deals with Moustache Blindness, a serious medical condition.
Episode 2 parodies Canadian news, journalism, and Canadiana.
Episode 3 is a nightmare about a man physically incapable of stopping his laughter.

Director Biography – David K. Greene

Vernon born, Vancouver based total dweeb doing the best he can.

Under the backdrop of her bucket-list destinations, Shebbie – a 56 year old mother of 5, embarks on a transformational life journey. One of new learnings, personal development and pursuing new passions. Shebbie tackles her 7-continent itinerary which includes swimming with humpback whales in Tonga, trekking the Antarctic Peninsula, racing Lamborghinis, and climbing Kilimanjaro.

Director Biography – Justin R. Edelman

An adventurer cinematographer and photographer. Before traveling the world with Shebbie’s Live Life Series, he’s shot for documentaries Mod Kids and Born Strong. His other passion is sailing where he continues to add to his portfolio of sailboat races such as the Pac 52 Class. His love for photography has produced an array of wildlife and adventure sports photos. The SLLS web series and documentary together are his debut as a director.

Director Statement

Paula Elle is a Vancouver based filmmaker who has built a team of collaborators over her 10 years of set experience. She has worked on all types of shows from TV Series, to MOWs, to Steven Spielberg films. Started with her own wine short, “The International Wine Thief”, Paula quickly realized her thrills come from behind the camera. Since then, she hasn’t stopped. She believes there is NO reason to not be shooting, there is always a story to tell. She loves to grab her DSLR, a few actors and play till they get the scene. She always has something on the go and every short just keeps getting better and better.

Ratings

Taya Walter is a Calgary director and actress. She is currently in post-production on her feature film, “From Hell, With Love” which will be released later in 2018.

Jason Brasier is the co-owner of American Wasteland Entertainment, LLC. A production company focusing on online media entertainment and film.
A Missouri native, originally from Willow Springs, Jason developed a passion for film at an early age, but has his roots in live theater, which is where he started. He graduated from Missouri State University in 2009 with a degree in Mass Media Production and the Screenwriters Certificate. He currently resides in Springfield, Missouri where he is actively involved in film and tv production and is constantly developing and creating his own projects.

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Andrea began her filmmaking career after completing a Master of Fine Arts, specializing in directing and cinematography in Paris, France. Since graduating, she has worked in various positions in the audiovisual field. She currently works as a freelance filmmaker, screenwriter, editor and photographer in Toronto. ‘La Ville’ is a web series she created while living and working in Paris. She hopes to film more episodes in the future while continuing to develop other film projects.

Festival Partners

Designed and Developed by Kindlebit Global INC.

WordPress Lightbox