Of Caravan and The Dogs
Askold Kurov, Anounymous 1
Germany. 2024. 52 min

Putin had been preparing his country for the big war long before it started. Since 2012, a series of repressive laws were passed by the Government labelling everyone who publicly disagreed with the official narrative as “foreign agent”, a traitor of Russia. In these circumstances, a group of independent Russian media and activists with two Nobel Peace Prize winners Dmitriy Muratov of “Novaya gazeta”, and NGO “Memorial” among them are trying to resist and continue their work. Right after the invasion, another series of repressive laws is passed and overnight their work becomes virtually impossible. The journalists and activists are threatened with long prison sentences and forced to make difficult moral choices in the midst of total war censorship: should they stay or leave the country, should they go to jail or save their team, should they adapt to the new reality or stay true to their principals and close their media? Shot during one decisive year, before and after the invasion, the film portrays the last defenders of democracy in Russia and gives a glimpse of hope for another future.

First Frames
Ilie Mitaru
Turkey, USA. 2024. 24 min

First Frames follows photographer and Syrian refugee Serbest Salih and his mobile darkroom that brings photography education to overlooked communities across Turkey, where children contend with access to school, memory and displacement from devastating earthquakes.

The documentary unfolds almost completely from the child’s perspective. They speak about their friendships, curiosities and frustrations while engaging with photography for the very first time. The children become collaborators in the documentary, capturing their worlds through their unique filming.

The film embraces the magical nature of children’s thinking and portrays them not as passive subjects of their circumstances but as playful, resilient and complex individuals, with their insights and sometimes surprising perspectives.

The Great White Whale
Michael Dillon
Australia. 2023. 105 min

Deep in the wild Southern Ocean, halfway between Australia and South Africa, a snowy volcano, nine thousand feet high, rears up from the sea like a great white whale.

Five times it tried to kill the first team that attempted to climb it. Yet in 1964, back they sailed, through the worst seas in the world, to try again, this time with legendary explorer, Bill Tilman as their skipper.

Its one of the least known yet most audacious Australian adventures of the 20th century.

Join us on those first attempts to climb Big Ben, the smoking glacier ringed volcano on Heard Island, Australia’s loneliest, most remote outpost. It’s a tale told with quirky humour by those who were there, backed up with their beautifully shot archival footage. Paul Jarman’s brilliant musical score pays tribute to the utter boldness of the quest, bringing to life this little known moment in Australian history.

Jacques
Lysandre Leduc-Boudreau
Canada. 2023. 90 min

For over forty years, Jacques Duhoux, expedition pioneer in northern Quebec, has lived alone in the Uapishka (Groulx) Mountains. Now at 85 years old, he continues to live off the grid, despite the inevitable decline that comes with age. A tribute to a true monument of northern exploration, Jacques exposes the delicate balance between nature, aging and the search for freedom.

Hidden Era
Carlos Vargas
Mozambique, Germany, Colombia. 2024. 76 min

Feature narrative Era Oculta – “Hidden Era” unfolds in the vibrant city of Maputo, where Rastafari artist Phambi (28) grapples with securing his son’s education amidst the rhythmic beats of Mozambique. Perennially on the brink of expulsion due to payment delays, Phambi’s artistic journey becomes a compelling narrative, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of an artist navigating the unique landscape of Mozambique.
The film amidst the vibrant art scene, two young women, allies to Phambi, play a pivotal role in supporting his artistic endeavors. They willingly pose for him, adding depth and inspiration to his creations. Their presence in the film not only highlights the collaborative spirit within the artistic community but also brings a nuanced perspective to the narrative, reflecting the diverse voices that contribute to the cultural tapestry of Maputo.

Les Praeres
Iván Menéndez
Spain. 2023. 37 min

Les Praeres tells the story of Aladino Montes and his family upon their arrival at the mountain of Peñamayor, Asturias. At the same time, Aladdin himself narrates in first person the tender love story he lives with his friend the deer Bambi.

This is not a Pearl
Tharindu Ramanayaka
Sri Lanka. 2024. 14 min

This is Not a Pearl is an environmental film that explores the aftermath of a devastating environmental catastrophe in Sri Lanka. On May 20, 2021, the X-Press Pearl container ship caught fire off the coast of Colombo, carrying tons of potentially hazardous chemicals. This tragedy also led to the world’s largest-ever nurdle spill.
Through contemporary dance and experimental filmmaking, the movie portrays the journey of a pearl oyster as it struggles to safeguard its precious pearl from the impacts of the X-Press Pearl disaster.