House of Peace
Deepankar Prakash
India. 2024. 120 min

Ravi, a diligent man in his mid-30s, shoulders the responsibility of caring for his ailing grandfather, mentally disabled aunt, and grandmother after his parents’ tragic demise. Growing up in a modest household, he learns the value of duty early on. However, as the story progresses, the weight of his responsibilities takes a toll on him. He becomes increasingly isolated, sacrificing his own happiness and relationships to meet the needs of his family. Despite his unwavering dedication, a sudden financial crisis pushes him to his limits. The story ends unexpectedly, leaving viewers to contemplate the complexities of human relationships and the resilience of the human spirit.

Aajoor
Aaryan Chandra Prakash
India. 2024. 122 min

Aajoor explores the life of Saloni, a resilient girl from rural Bihar, who challenges societal norms to pursue her education while managing household responsibilities after her mother’s early demise. Her journey intersects with the boys’ newfound obsession with social networking sites. Supported by her father, a vocalist in a Launda Dance team, Saloni faces societal scorn but remains determined to change her destiny.

In The Name of Fire
Abhilash Sharma
India. 2024. 99 min

In a remote village, Rukhiya and Phekan, both from the marginalized Dalit community, endure hardships due to their caste identity. With no work available in the village due to the ongoing temple renovation, Phekan ventures into the city in search of employment. However, he is betrayed, left unpaid, and subjected to exploitation and false accusations.
Meanwhile, Rukhiya remains in their desolate home, haunted not only by the villagers’ judgment but also by the fear that she’s being branded a witch, as whispers and rumours spread around her.
Nehura, a guilt-ridden cremator, grapples with his inner conflict between right and wrong, seeking redemption for past wrongs.
Amid the turmoil, a mysterious cry from an infant shatters the silence, leading to a divine revelation when the lives of these characters intersect in unexpected ways.

Strangers When we Meet
Zhang Guoli
China. 2024. 108 min

The film is based on the true story of “The Murder Girl Wearing a Wedding Dress.” After serving a 30-year sentence, QIN starts a new life with a government compensation of 1.5 million yuan for land expropriation. Being in his middle age, QIN only wishes to marry, have children, and live a stable and peaceful life.
However, his life takes a complete turn when the 24-year-old girl, Chang Juan, enters his life. QIN realizes that Chang Juan, who shares the same fate as a wanderer, carries hidden secrets within her.

Waterdrop
Robert Budina
Albania, Italy, Romania, Kosovo. 2024. 91 min

In a picturesque Albanian town on the shores of Lake Ohrid, Aida reigns as a tough, successful businesswoman. As city planner, she manages the allocation of lucrative EU subsidies, navigating a corrupt system where her boss pockets large portions of the funds. To maintain her position in this ultra-masculine, patriarchal world, Aida isn’t above accepting the occasional bribe herself.