Category: 2023 ARFF Amsterdam

Original Film Title: Real Fur

Director’s Name: Taimoor Choudhry

Writer’s Name: Gillian Darling-Kovanic

Producer: Sabrina (Solara) Dang, Jason Chau, Kelly A. Morris, Taimoor Choudhry

Country of Origin: Canada

Country of Filming: Canada

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 29 minutes

Film Description:

Real Fur is an eye-opening undercover investigation about the true cost of the fur farming industry in Canada. It follows the journey of director Taimoor Choudhry as he transforms from being an uninformed consumer to a passionate activist through interviews with animal rights leaders, changemakers, lawyers, politicians, and celebrities in an effort to make real change.

Original Film Title: 大地之子

Director’s Name: Ning Tong Wang

Producer: Ning Tong Wang

Country of Origin: China

Country of Filming: China

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 1 hour

Film Description:

There has never been a hospice like this for children in China before. At Daisy House, children with terminal cancer or blood conditions get to stay with their families. They receive palliative care from medical personnel, social workers and volunteers, who support and comfort them and their families right the way through.

How should parents and families – indeed, how should each of us face up to these young lives nearing their ends? What are we really talking about when we discuss ‘death’? What ethical considerations apply to a filmmaker who is also part of the support team? There are no easy answers. 

Original Film Title: Cry, My beloved Country

Director’s Name: Corrine Sandler

Writer’s Name: Corrine Sandler

Producer: Corrine Sandler

Country of Origin: Canada

Country of Filming: South Africa

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 2 minutes

Film Description:

How South Africa went from a Cry for Freedom to CRY, MY BELOVED COUNTRY. An inconceivable story told in a feature length documentary about a South African Emigrant, Corrine who grew up in the Apartheid Regime in the 1970’s. Corrine returns to her birth country 30 years later with her Canadian children. Together they embark on an emotional journey back to her homeland. Their journey takes them into the heart of past and present-day conflicts in a country ravaged by corruption. 
Corrines quest to show her children her beloved country is shattered. She digs deep to reveal the truth behind the devastation of South Africa.

Original Film Title: The Horizon Behind Me

Director’s Name: Roberto Pettini, David Stalley

Writer’s Name: Roberto Pettini

Producer: Roberto Pettini, David Stalley

Country of Origin: Australia

Country of Filming: India, Italy, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Vanuatu

Language: English

Runtime: 2 hours 47 minutes 20 seconds

Film Description:

When he was nineteen(1973), Roberto decided to go in search of people living a traditional way of life. 

Naïve and idealistic, he embarked on what would eventually be a ten-year journey and which, while giving him the opportunity to live within remote and varied traditional societies, would at the same time allow him to travel long distances in an internal journey of self-discovery.

Some forty years later, Roberto, prompted by a friend’s son and utilising his original photographs, recorded sound and film footage, reflects on this youthful adventure, the life lessons he learned and the diversity of cultures which in the meantime have radically changed.

Original Film Title: Cutting the Line

Director’s Name: William Bendix

Writer’s Name: William Bendix

Producer: Julie Andersen

Country of Origin: Namibia

Country of Filming: Namibia

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 25 minutes 54 seconds

Film Description:

Cutting the Line follows a husband and wife team, Naude and Katja Dreyer, as they embark on a mission to rescue entangled seals along their home along the Namibian coastline and raise urgent awareness about ocean plastic pollution. What begins as a few spur-of-the-moment rescues quickly evolves into an environmental organization that finds itself pitted against this mounting global crisis. Cutting the Line powerfully reveals the disconnect between the global fishing industry practices and local communities actively working to mitigate its detrimental impact. The film serves as an inspirational clarion call to advocate for global policies to support communities actively fighting to end the harm caused by plastic pollution.

Original Film Title: ROCCO UP

Director’s Name: John Madere

Writer’s Name: Ruth Mamaril

Producer: Kevin McCann, Donald Intonato

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 22 minutes 26 seconds

Film Description:

Rocco is an autistic boy who has always felt at home in the ocean. He lives in Montauk with his parents and younger sister. Ben, Rocco’s father, who has always dreamt of having a surfing son, sets out to teach Rocco, who is non-verbal, to surf. Sara, Rocco’s mother, takes the lead on his cognitive and language development. Challenges persist, but triumphs abound. Both parents find that Rocco is teaching them powerful ways to be present. Over the years, Rocco develops confidence, grace, and remarkable balance in the water. His elation as he stands up and moves to the front of his board is clear to everyone. The beachgoers watch, spontaneously cheer “Rocco up!” and reflect on his focus, nimbleness, and joy when surfing with his father. Unscripted interviews are testimonials to boundless family love, the stoke of community support, and the neuroscience behind our enchantment with water.