Official Selection 2019

Madagasikara by Cam Cowan

Documentary Feature - USA

Three resilient women fight for better futures for their children in one of the most misunderstood countries in the world – Madagascar – a beautiful African island nation crippled by decades of political instability and crushed by international sanctions imposed in 2009

Abrazos Imborrables by Pablo Hadis

Documentary Feature - Argentina

A research into the causes of the resurgence of tango in Argentina and around the world. Contemporary tango legends, including those responsible for the comeback of tango, share their insights and first hand accounts on why tango has returned with such strength to the world stage, in this documentary produced with the collaboration of the Buenos Aires tango scene.

After decades of staying hidden from public view, tango makes a surprise return, spreading to the four corners of the world. Why are so many countries being filled with milongas? Why is youth returning to tango? Why is, in essence, a cultural expression from the late 1800s returning with such strength in the year 2000? What basic needs is it fulfilling, and what does this say about our current global society?

Sopa by Lillián Broche

Documentary Feature - Cuba

It’s a documentary film about the Cuban musicians. Many of them work on tourism areas to make a living. In their way the argue between following a tradition or becoming a souvenir.

Paris you got me by Julie Boehm

Short Fiction - Germany

„Art may change the inner as well as the external world“

That’s how our protagonist Ksenia experiences it. The street artist George lures her into his magic world of art illusions.

An artistic dance about the realization of your dreams. Paris, you got me!

Days of Wholesome Joy by Claudia Muñiz

Short fiction - Cuba

It´s been a while since Zayda takes care of her grandma Juana, sick with senile dementia. On the eve of her birthday, the coolest day in the winter season, Zayda tries to get back her previous life.

This Magnificent Cake! By Emma De Swaef & Marc James Roels

Feature Fiction Animation - Belgium

An anthology film set in colonial Africa in the late 19th century telling the stories of 5 different characters: a troubled king, a middle-aged Pygmy working in a luxury hotel, a failed businessman on an expedition, a lost porter and a young army deserter.

The Dérive by Tanin Torabi

Short Fiction - Iran

An exploration of social and cultural issues. A dancer moves among the people in an old bazaar in Tehran capturing the responses and reactions. Dance is prohibited in Iran.

Pink Village by Lázaro González González

Documentary Feature - Cuba

Caibarien was one of the most prosperous Cuba fishing villages. Now their progress seems due, rather, to the LGBTI activism of many of its inhabitants. Therefore, the Russian Roxana Rojo – wiped out there decades ago – says that the so-called white village is dying rose, during the celebration of its aquatic Carnival.

Lunar Orbit by Patrick Buchanan

Documentary Feature - Canada

Lunar Orbit takes us into the Ultraworld of the pioneers of ambient house music. Patrick Buchanan’s feature documentary explores The Orb’s unique creative process and delves into the story behind the music, revealing the history of The Orb’s origins and the foundation of the friendships which anchor the mothership.

The film is a blend of live concert footage, rare unseen archive material and unprecedented studio access from the duo’s Moonbuilding 2703AD recording sessions in Berlin. It features interviews with key creative players; Youth, Guy Pratt, Mixmaster Morris, Matt Black, and many other current and former members of the Orb’s extended family. The result in a film that is truly Orb-riginal.

The Guitar and the Commoner by Breno Soares

Short Documentary - Brazil

Irio de Paula was born in Bangu, played choro, passed the guitar, was part of the band of Elza Soares, traveled with her to Italy and stayed there. More than four decades later, he visits the family he left in Brazil.

Kabadio - Time goes by slowly, barefoot by Daniel Leite

Documentary Feature - Brazil

KABADIO. A deep dive into a new world, filled with rituals, music, magic, secrets, fascinating images and stories of real people who struggle to survive, keeping their traditions in the midst of a civil war and the smuggling of goods.

In the heart of Casamance (southern region of Senegal), a small Muslim village, which is a sort of mystical island protected by religious leaders called Marabus, the sound of drums lights the fire, dictating the fate of an uncertain future, where mysticism is the only protective shield.

We are in front of a large mirror. The mirror of the soul. Where you can touch the blowing wind; where you can feel the dried land under your feet just a few kilometers from the sea. Where you hear enlightened children’s laughing, spreading hope for those able to get close to them. Where time goes by slowly, barefoot.

Aircooled | Band of Beetles by Irmak Sueri Cora

Documentary Feature - Turkey

This documentary film is about lovely ”Old Beetles” and their faithful owners who are deeply committed to these cars. These cars and their owners has survived so many difficulties for decades and now they represent ”brotherhood” all over the world.

The Wheel by Daniela Lucato

Short Experimental - Germany

The symbolic travel of a child passing into adulthood, told through dance, in a balance of imagination and dream.

Fishnet and the fish by Ali Nikfar

Short Fiction - Iran

Its about all little fishes in the world

Gai Jatra by Gopal Shivakoti

Short Documentary - Nepal

Traditionally, Gai Jatra is literally translated to the procession of cows and an age-old festival commemorating the death of loved ones.

Sharing of sorrows and truly understanding each other’s grief brings out the human in humans and that’s what this festival champions. The newest development brings an important twist to this narrative. Since 2001, LGBTI people in Nepal has been taking Gai Jatra festival as a medium to appear in the public, flaunt their true selves with pride and pay tribute to the deceased member of their community, because members of the LGBT community until the recent past were not commemorated by their family. One of the objectives of this parade on the day of Gai Jatra is to pay tribute to people within the LGBT community – someone who’ve died a natural death and others who’ve killed themselves for being unable to live a life of shunning. Also, the week-long festival has come to become a platform from where expression takes wings to reach for the sky and hover over the city.