The Drowning fish – dir. Weihua Feng

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Original Film Title: 嗦粉

Director’s Name: Weihua Feng

Writer’s Name: Weihua Feng

Producer: Xiang Zhang

Country of Origin: China

Country of Filming: China

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 14 minutes 11 seconds

Film Description:

To satisfy his noodle craving during pandemic dining restrictions, a young man in China concocts an elaborate scheme to sneak out for a bowl of rice noodles, but when he accidentally bumps into a patrolling security guard, he must think fast and disguise himself as a chef to avoid getting caught breaking the rules.

Orange Shoes – dir. Stylianos Chrysostomou

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Original Film Title: Orange Shoes

Director’s Name: Stylianos Chrysostomou

Writer’s Name: Stylianos Chrysostomou

Producer: Stylianos Chrysostomou

Country of Origin: Cyprus

Country of Filming: Cyprus

Language: Modern Greek (1453-)

Runtime: 9 minutes 21 seconds

Film Description:

In an attempt to connect with his fiancee who’s she’s locked in a Sanitarium, Pavlos tries to enter in his own will without thinking of the consequences.

Luminous Bird – dir. Zimeng Li, Ruixi Zhou

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Original Film Title: 发光的鸟

Director’s Name: Zimeng Li, Ruixi Zhou

Writer’s Name: Zimeng Li, Ruixi Zhou

Producer: Peiyao Du

Country of Origin: China

Country of Filming: China

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 40 minutes 42 seconds

Film Description:

The luminous bird weaves together the three parts of this lyrical short film. In “Free Life,” it is a legend connecting life and death. In “Autumn Equinox,” it is a book of poetry penned in love. In “Cyan,” it is a band captured in a fleeting moment. Rather than rely on clichés, the film evokes subtle images that let the viewer find their own meaning. Across each story, the luminous bird underscores love’s power to unlock the soul. When the journey ends, we’re left to discover our own luminous bird waiting inside.

PIANO – dir. Yunsong He

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Original Film Title: PIANO

Director’s Name: Yunsong He

Country of Origin: China

Country of Filming: China

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 13 minutes 14 seconds

Film Description:

The film tells the story of Chen Ming, a sophomore in high school, who suffered from autism because his father was drunk and accidentally killed his mother and was accused of murder. The new class teacher became the dawn of his life, his father took him to Han Xue home to practice piano but fell in love with her, his father’s drinking after the failure of love confession led to tragedy and history repeated itself…

Zambezia: A Well for Change – dir. Amine Harboul

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Original Film Title: Zambezia: A Well for Change

Director’s Name: Amine Harboul

Producer: Amine Harboul, Daniel Lopez, Mohammed Harboul, Ibrahim Manuel

Country of Origin: South Africa

Country of Filming: Mozambique

Language: Portuguese

Runtime: 20 minutes

Film Description:

In the poverty-stricken countryside of Zambezia, Mozambique, a seasoned community leader faces the formidable challenge of constructing a crucial water well. Meanwhile, he wrestles with feelings of detachment from his family and struggles to maintain control over his deteriorating health.

Game, Interrupted – dir. Ilayda Iseri

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Original Film Title: Oyunbozan

Director’s Name: Ilayda Iseri

Writer’s Name: Ilayda Iseri

Producer: Tolga Karacelik, Fehmi Ozturk, Nefes Polat

Country of Origin: Turkey

Country of Filming: Turkey

Language: Turkish

Runtime: 15 minutes

Film Description:

1979, Turkey: While the mood on the streets of capital Ankara is charged with tension shortly before the military coup, a young sister and brother find their way out of boredom by switching from one game to another during their winter break. Their mother is at work all day and their grandmother is sleeping on the couch as usual. However, something goes wrong that day. While trying to figure out what happened, they notice a strange intruder at the door, who resembles Khomeini or Darth Vader. They must fix the course of events before their mother returns home.

Supported by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation).

How to Kill A Fish – dir. Yuwei Jiang

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Original Film Title: 晓惠

Director’s Name: Yuwei Jiang

Writer’s Name: Yuwei Jiang

Producer: Fangzhou Tong, Yang Li

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Country of Filming: China

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 31 minutes 31 seconds

Film Description:

What will happen when you start to kill a fish you didn’t mean to kill? Lost in the swirl of pressure and the banal desire of pursuing her dreams, a teenage girl forever lost her innocent fantasies, before ending up paying an even more unbearable cost. Who is the ultimate murderer of the fish? No one seems directly responsible, but there are no innocent bystanders.

Magpie – dir. Paige Jones

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Original Film Title: Magpie

Director’s Name: Paige Jones

Writer’s Name: Paige Jones

Producer: Paige Jones

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 9 minutes 32 seconds

Film Description:

mag·pie 
/ˈmaɡˌpī/ 
A long-tailed crow that scavenges and collects objects, with a weakness for shiny things. Often characterized with a bold personality and intelligence. 

At-home caregiver, Amelia, debates whether to take from her patients to provide for the needs of her own family.

The Long Road – dir. Baylon Fonseca

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Original Film Title: The Long Road

Director’s Name: Baylon Fonseca

Writer’s Name: Baylon Fonseca

Producer: Baylon Fonseca

Country of Origin: India

Country of Filming: India

Language: English

Runtime: 22 minutes 30 seconds

Film Description:

“The Long Road”: A Journey into Equality, Empowerment, and Unconditional Acceptance.

Step onto a thought-provoking path of discovery in the compelling documentary “The Long Road,” where the lines between “normal” and “abnormal,” “abled” and “disabled” blur into insignificance. Directed with heartfelt curiosity, this documentary delves deep into the lives of individuals who have been blessed with unique abilities and challenges, inviting viewers to question society’s perceptions of diversity.

In a world where nature recognizes no boundaries of difference, where each life is an equal manifestation of existence, why do humans impose labels and distinctions? Unravelling this paradox becomes the driving force behind “The Long Road.” Set against the backdrop of families, societal dynamics, educational institutions, and workplaces, the film unearths the undercurrents of prejudice, exclusion, and limitations that often shadow the differently abled.

As the filmmaker, I found myself unexpectedly chosen by the subject matter, drawn into a realm where questions about acceptance and empowerment took center stage. The uphill battle for acknowledgment and respect is portrayed with a compassionate lens, capturing the extraordinary strength of those who refuse to be defined by conventional norms.

A central thread in “The Long Road” weaves around the universal parental dilemma: What happens to our children when we can no longer be their guardians? This concern gains profound weight when focused on parents of differently abled children. Through heartfelt interviews and intimate storytelling, the documentary navigates this emotional terrain, shedding light on the fears, hopes, and dreams that shape the lives of these families.

Embracing a multifaceted approach to understanding, I embarked on a journey of observation and engagement, seeking to comprehend the world inhabited by the differently abled. The film is a tapestry of voices and experiences, where individuals of all walks of life converge to challenge preconceived notions and celebrate the spectrum of humanity.

“The Long Road” is not merely a documentary but a call to action—a catalyst for introspection and dialogue. Join me on this transformative expedition, as we traverse the landscapes of diversity, empathy, and the undying human spirit. Together, let’s pave a path toward a more inclusive world, where every step taken is a step closer to unity and understanding. 

it’s my Fucking Story – dir. Jennifer Gartler

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Original Film Title: it’s my Fucking Story

Director’s Name: Jennifer Gartler

Writer’s Name: Claudia Ploner

Producer: Tanja Ploner

Country of Origin: Austria

Country of Filming: Austria

Language: German

Runtime: 12 minutes

Film Description:

Why can’t I just be me? Faced with yet again another family dinner discussion, Sam gets annoyed with Sams mother who just doesn’t understand that Sam is just not the little girl anymore who loved wearing dresses. Sam flees to a night club. There, during that night, in the safe space of the women’s restroom, Sam encounters the stories of other women. Some passed by the doorman, while others did not. Someone sits helpless in the locked cubicle, not daring to go out. Two women kiss passionately, protected from the gaze of others. For all of them, this night in the club means something different, but they are all united by the longing for a safe place where they can escape life for a moment.