The Other Side of Despair (Switzerland) by Varsy Buchmann    

"The Other Side of Despair" is a moving portrait of a young Armenian artist, Art Petrosyan, who sets fire to his own paintings. Shot during a time of profound loss and upheaval in the aftermath of the forced deportation of 110,000 people from Artsakh, it provides a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the relationship between art, identity, and the struggle for survival.

Running time:  00:08:30

Piblokto (United States) by Anastasia Shubina, Timofey Glinin

On the Arctic Ocean coast of Chukotka live a people cut off from the world. Their life revolves around hunting walruses and whales and protecting villages from bears coming from the tundra. This theme turns the film into a reflection on death. Marine animals become the primary source of food for the people, animal leftovers are used to feed arctic foxes on a fur farm, human cemeteries become targets for bears. It appears that all the inhabitants of this region are involved in the cycle of food and death. The film departs from the typical rhythmic structure of cinema and instead adopts the structure of a shamanic ritual, which is a meaning-forming event for the northern peoples.

Running time:  00:37:49

All About My State (Poland) by Piotr Jacoń

In Poland, transgender people have to take their parents to court to have their gender designation corrected on their documents. Formally, this is the only way. In addition to tremendous stress and the humiliation of taking the testimony, the family faces uncertainty, because in Poland there are no clear regulations on how such a hearing should look. The court has a lot of freedom, and the prosecutor can join the proceedings at any stage, as it happened in the case of 20-year-old transgender Florian and his mother Agata, the protagonists of Piotr Jacon's documentary.  

Running time:  00:40:32

Marija Wants To Become A Woman (Serbia) by Jovan Pantovic

Facing her oversensitive being, Marija creates the perfect partner in her head and openly talks about it with Jovan, her current partner. Stunned and affected by her confession and story, Jovan records it all on camera while living together as tenants in Belgrade, Serbia.

Running time:  00:29:57

Longing In Me (Germany) by Julian Wonn

Dita Rita Scholl has been an actor and pioneer of queer performance art since the 1970s. Having experienced frequent rejection throughout life, Rita developed a strong longing for physical and emotional touch. LONGING IN ME provides intimate insight into the search for human connection and how this endless hunger can be satisfied through tantric rituals.

Running time:  00:10:00

Say Something (United States) by Agustina Aranda

Say Something is a short experimental documentary where Katie Agustina Aranda explores her relationship with her father, Panfilo Aranda—a Paraguayan immigrant, workaholic, and amateur videographer. Using material that he shot throughout the last forty years, the story follows his journey from passionate filmmaker to distant father. With archival footage and interviews, the film is about family, immigration, and a strained father-daughter relationship.

Running time:  00:09:47

Number One (Lithuania) by Milda Augustaitytė

Twelve-year-old Arianas is preparing for the Lithuanian Championship of Standard and Latin American dances with his partner. The couple must understand the world of adults - learn to demonstrate masculinity, feminine seduction and self-selling. But is that enough to win the championship?

Running time:  00:15:00

Dearest Ghost (Estonia) by Margaret Mäses

How to deal with the overwhelmingly unbearable absence of someone who was an integral part of your life for a long time? When the physical embodiment of unconditional love has transformed into nothing but memories, a ghost, it might be wise to try and make friends with this new everyday companion. Dearest Ghost is a poetic journey through the inner world of a grieving filmmaker who tries to find solace in talking to her Ghost. Different stages of grief are visually linked to seasonal changes in nature. The filmmaker finds reflections of her mindscape in the surrounding scenery and wildlife.

Running time:  00:14:46

I Kiss Your Hand, Madame (Hungary) by Jeremy Luke Bolatag

After living a heteronormative life for 50 years, Mónika finally goes through the first steps of her gender-affirmation journey. As she raises her 11-year old son, she also navigates the repressive Orbán regime in Hungary as a trans woman.

Running time:  00:18:00

This is where we meet (Austria) by Mindaugas Drigotas, Berta Tilmantaitė

We believe in the power of humour and laughter and its positive impact on the wellbeing of people in times of hardship and crisis. No matter at what age or for what reason, life can sometimes bring us face to face with feelings of dreariness and loneliness, evoking moments of anxiety, fear and despair. This might be how an infant in hospital about to undergo major surgery experiences the situation or how a disabled teenager fighting to stay strong after a car crash lives their worst nightmares when told they may never walk again. But when a smile or a few notes of music are shared, when colours emerge and feelings of happiness fill the room, then you can actually sense that something positive is taking place..... our clown doctors are on the move. They live right in the moment, caring passionately for all those who need love and a bit of uplifting. They improvise as they go from bedside to bedside, connecting with those who are ready to reach out. They spread the spirit of joy from the most remote places on earth to the clinic down the road. Yes, the power of humour and laughter can indeed positively influence the wellbeing of people in times of hardship and crisis.

Running time:  00:30:00

Grip (Belgium) by Laura De Baudringhien

Together with a diverse group of teenage girls, the Ukrainian Emilia is joining an outdoors climbing camp for the first time in her new home country. This adventurous experience will be extra challenging for Emilia since she fled from Ukraine to Belgium one year ago together with her family. But soon she gets to know the other girls, learns to express herself better and pushes her borders. During this extraordinary week of new experiences, she tries to get a grip on herself, the group and surrounding nature.

Running time:  00:15:00

Mama's Sundry (United States) by Brody Kuhar, Joshua Cannon

In South Memphis, married artists Bertram Williams and Talibah Safiya transform their creative practices into vehicles for a higher purpose. Enter Mama's Sundry, a collaborative movement fostering wellness and sustainability through education, service initiatives and a neighborhood garden that produces fresh fruit and vegetables within a community that's long been designated a food desert.

Running time:  00:15:00

Pripyat Horse (United Kingdom) by Sally Patricia Pearce

‘A sparrow flies swiftly in through one door of the hall, and out through another…. Even so, man appears on earth for a little while; but of what went before this life or of what follows, we know nothing.’ Bede

Running time:  00:02:00

Dear Friend, Where Have You Gone? (Canada) by Nicholas Koscik

For Jayden Martin, art is more than just a hobby. It's his escape, his passion, and his lifeline. But as an artist in the small, rural community of Englehart, Ontario, Jayden's dreams of making it big seem almost impossible. Despite growing up with divorced parents and struggling with addiction, mental health, and suicide, he remains determined to succeed. "Dear Friend, Where Have You Gone?" offers a rare glimpse into Jayden's world as he navigates the challenges of small-town life and grapples with his own inner demons. This powerful documentary is an inspiring reminder of human resilience and the transformative power of art.

Running time:  00:28:45

My Mykines (Belgium) by Femke De Beule

A village lies in the shadow of an archeological site. The inhabitants contemplate on their relation with the ruins. Visitors pass by, the stones underneath them slowly crumbling.

Running time:  00:18:10

Six (United States) by Diana Cignoni

Mental Health. Depression. Grief.

Running time:  00:13:00

The Discoverer of the Discoverers (Norway) by C. S. Nicholson

A family in West Africa tells the story of how their ancestor discovered the European explorers — to a European film crew. We get to see how this encounter is still remembered ritually. But do all the claims about the historic event bear a closer look? And to which degree can we trust the filmmaker’s white gaze? This short documentary explores how pride and conscience may affect collective memories.

Running time:  00:24:52

Kings of Taiwan (Taiwan) by Syrus Sadvandi

No one should have to ask what a drag king is. In Taipei, a unique community of drag kings has emerged and has been growing since 2019. Liting ‘LT” Tan is a drag king from Singapore who came to Taiwan to be in an environment that has allowed them to live authentically. Over the past few years, they have become a grounding force in the community, pushing for a space where kings can thrive. After a challenging marriage, Taile sought out a queer community to be a part of, and that is how they came to meet LT. Rose is a captivating performer whose persona sits successfully as a caricature of masculine tropes. Drag has allowed these individuals to push boundaries in ways they never thought possible. Follow a journey of freedom, empowerment, and self-discovery through these three.

Running time:  00:15:59

Focus (United States) by Travis Nunes

Focus is a short documentary based on mine and others' experiences with ADHD.

Running time:  00:06:25

The Horsemen of Mallorca (Spain) by Grace T.S.P

A cinematic story of Legacy - The Horsemen of Mallorca chronicles the history of the Ferrer-Rojo family and the creation of their ranch in the mountains of Mallorca where they rescue and rehabilitate Spanish racehorses. Xavier tells the story of his father’s journey into horsemanship, the symbolism of horses and the passing of the torch onto the next generation.

Running time:  00:05:00

Guiding Light (United States) by India Anne Mitchell

Through the compelling interviews of the lead prosecutor, the defense attorney and the police chief, “Guiding Light” tells the story of a young teen (Polly Hannah Klaas) in a small town in America who was kidnapped from her bedroom during a slumber party while her family was in the house.  In "Guiding Light", India Mitchell, a teen growing up in the same town thirty years later brings a fresh perspective and highlights the importance of the legacy of this case to the continuing endeavor to keep children safe. 

Running time:  00:05:00

Fragments - Episode 1 (United Kingdom) by Mélodie Roulaud

When we discuss and depict the body, we refer to something both tangible and imagined, with unclear boundaries and a complex relationship to the 'self'. A portrait of trans non-binary artist Fleur Bloemsma, Fragments, takes an introspective journey into their understanding and experience of their body. 

Running time:  00:03:38

Fragments - Episode 2 (United Kingdom) by Mélodie Roulaud

When we discuss and depict the body, we refer to something both tangible and imagined, with unclear boundaries and a complex relationship to the 'self'. This portrait of non-binary model Venus Baginski, the second episode of Fragments, takes an introspective journey into their understanding and experience of their body. 

Running time:  00:03:00

New Voices in the City (Belgium) by Ekaterina Gardener

The city of Ghent (Belgium) serves as the stage for the stories of 15 newcomers from various parts of the world, where they share their integration stories. Love, family, education, or drama served as reasons for coming here. The film reveals their deep-seated hopes and dreams, talents, and daily lives. Through their shared passion for theater, these newcomers find their voice in society, celebrating diversity and advocating for inclusion, understanding, and solidarity.

Running time:  00:20:00

How to grief (Belgium) by Rosie Mondy

'How to grieve' is a short documentary analysis that tries to explain a grieving period in 3 shots. A conversation with my sister. Between quotation marks, because there is no manual, we will need to be able to zoom in and zoom out, to see the bigger picture.

Running time:  00:05:07

Out There (New Zealand) by Alexis Smith

Driven by a desire to understand her place in the universe, filmmaker Alexis Smith joins a mysterious New Zealand network dedicated to making contact with extraterrestrial life. Immersed in their meditative practices under the stars, Alexis uncovers the stories of this unique group, their experiences with extraterrestrial contact, and the stigmas they face. When she encounters evidence that pushes her to the edge of belief, it's her own inner shadows that she must learn to accept.

Running time:  00:13:16

Iris (Canada) by Gabriela de Andrade

Ever since Iris, a French-Congolese woman, left Montreal, she has nurtured her relationship with Gabriela through voice messages. In this film, her voice gives hints of a return that exists only through Gabriela's eyes. The film is a kind of affective cartography of their interposed exchanges, Iris by voice and Gabriela by image. A reflection on the bond of friendship and sisterhood  despite physical distance.

Running time:  00:17:00

Above Us (United States) by Freddie Paull

Unified by a rare cosmic event, the eyes of New York City gaze up to the sky for a fleeting moment of calm - the last of its kind for another 55 years.

Running time:  00:06:00

Hayastan (Armenia) by Silvia Sarsano

In October 2023, I attended an artist residency in Yerevan, arriving less than two weeks after the most recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. This conflict had forced 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee the enclave of Artsakh within Azerbaijan, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. I stayed at the Masoor Art House cultural center, which had become a hub for supporting refugees. The local community was diligently working to provide food and assistance to the influx of displaced individuals. During this period, other global conflicts were erupting, drawing international attention away from the plight of the refugees in Yerevan, who often felt invisible and abandoned by the world. This shift in focus made the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh even more poignant and urgent for those directly affected. Despite the language barrier, with only a few people speaking limited English, I could capture the raw, immediately human and unfiltered atmosphere of those critical days in Yerevan, just after the conflict had subsided. The contrast between the political rhetoric often seen in the media or during public gatherings and the genuine solidarity among ordinary people was stark and profound. 

Despite the pervasive sense of loss that filled the air, I captured the image of a community grappling with displacement yet determined to find hope and rebuild their lives.

Running time:  00:13:02

Voices to Inception (Norway) by Becky Beamer

Voices of Inception is a poetic documentary short film that tells the story of a remarkable process and place that led to the creation and design of the Tougaloo Center for Racial Justice and Equity, a unique partnership between the Episcopal Church and the Jackson, Mississippi-based Tougaloo College, a Historically Black College. It follows the architectural design firm, Duvall Decker, as they deploy their twenty years of community engagement practice in the South to navigate the cultural connections and divides that are revealed among the various stakeholders. The film explores the challenges and opportunities of addressing justice and equity through architecture and the design process. Woven throughout are scenes and images of the past and present of the region, illustrating the significance of this project in this place. Overlapping audio ebbs and flows as new voices join the creative process of inception.

Running time:  00:12:00

Maybe We Can Whisper (United Kingdom) by Alexandre Amaral, Aoife Mandeville

During a journey to the Isle of Skye, two lovers question if the new relationship they are building can hold again the weight of the traumas they carry from their past. While they might not be able to speak their worst fears out loud, perhaps if they are brave enough to whisper them in the presence of each other, they might get a new chance at love.

Running time:  00:17:58

Holding On (United Kingdom) by Emma Croft

Holding on tight, learning to let go. Through intimate diary footage filmed over a period of 10 years a single mother records her son’s transition into manhood whilst struggling to keep a connection with him through his love of skateboarding. The result is a raw and uniquely powerful portrait of the tension within a mother son relationship viewed from a perspective that is rarely explored. While the mother tries to hold on tight, her son is teaching her to let go.

Running time:  00:08:48

Irpinia (United Kingdom) by Jameisha Prescod

Irpinia is the story of black British hope from the perspective of the Windrush generation. At the age of 24, Dudley Porteous boarded a ship called the Irpinia in search of a better life in England, the so-called mother country. Now 86 years old, Dudley reflects on his exciting journey to sea and the harsh reality that lay ahead.

Running time:  00:07:13