Sleeping Close (Italy) by Giulio Pereno

In human adversities, there are 'topoi' that recur like variations of the same melody. Growth, pain, sacrifice, choices and, above all, love, are present in everyone's existence in a thousand forms, similar and yet unique. With the fragments of many lives, it would be possible to compose a single one in which to find the echo of all the others. In the chapters of 'Sleeping close', a woman experiences the stages of her own evolution through the changing features of fourteen female protagonists. She dies a symbolic death, only to be resurrected at the end with all those women who have gone before. 

Running time: 01:49:00

Alone (United States) by S. Columbus

Documentary about the difference of being alone and feeling alone.

Running time: 01:42:11

Coexistence (Dominican Republic) by José Gómez De Vargas

After the assassination of a resident of an old condo, an extensive investigation holds a group of seven tenants in a interrogation room, all of them suspects of committing the crime.

Running time: 01:36:00

Armed with a Brush (Netherlands) by Nèma van Raalte

The BRP originated in 1968 as a propaganda department of the JJCC (Juventudes Comunistas de Chile, Chilean Communist Youth League). As a young group they supported the democratically elected President Salvador Allende. The early members of the Brigada Ramona Parra (named after a political activist assassinated in Santiago in 1946) painted verbal messages on strategically placed walls of the capital to communicate their views in support of democracy and equality. Their art form evolved into colourful murals depicting symbols of what they have always believed to be basic human rights, while lashing out against totalitarian regimes and social inequalities. During the Pinochet regime, members of the BRP were captured, tortured, and killed, while others went into exile. Still, BRP members persisted in their belief that the paintbrush was mightier than the sword, that ideas would eventually conquer senseless violence and repression. Today's BRP is stronger and more determined than ever to peacefully paint for justice and equality among Chileans. Despite the political lull, the BRP brigadistas remain relentless in their strife for a more equitable democracy in Chile, passing their art form and beliefs on to even younger generations, relentlessly, colourfully depicting the dreams and hopes forever painted in the hearts and minds of the Chilean people.

Running time: 00:54:24

Fabulous Femininities (United Kingdom) by Jonothon Lees

Fabulous Femininities is a captivating feature-length documentary that offers an intimate glimpse into the lives and journeys of six extraordinary burlesque performers from across the United Kingdom. Through this documentary, the film aims to challenge misconceptions surrounding burlesque and showcase its empowering nature as a celebration of body positivity, creativity, and self-expression.

Running time: 00:50:25

On Her Own Feet (Netherlands) by Janneke van der Ende, Robin Mes

Julia van Reek was 15 years old when a ball hit her right knee while playing hockey. The pain she feels at that moment does not go away and keeps getting worse. A drop of water, gusts of wind and even the fabric of trousers feel like she's being stabbed. She experiences this pain day and night. Two years later she was diagnosed with CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), a progressive pain syndrome of the nervous system that causes a persistent, burning pain. After numerous unsuccessful treatments to stop the pain, Julia asks to have her leg amputated. She has been living from treatment to treatment for years and no longer wants to try new things. But, according to her doctor, this is not the right decision. The age-old ethical dilemma of being in charge of your own body is thus put to the test. As a result, Julia had to wait five years for her amputation.

Running time: 00:26:57

Descension (United States) by Sean Ryan

In an adaptation of Dante Alighieri's Inferno, when an ex-soldier goes rogue, he is killed and descends into Hell. Will he seek vengeance against his betrayers or atone for his sins to reach the shores of Purgatory?

Running time: 00:18:17

Six (United States) by Diana Cignoni

Mental Health. Depression. Grief.

Running time: 00:13:00

Ephemera (Netherlands) by Harukaze Legouge

An ex-couple reminisces their pasts and reflect on what those moments mean to them.

Running time: 00:08:41

Park Assist (Netherlands) by Robert Sluys

Park Assist is an absurdist grounded sci-fi short about an android that tests its brand new human park assist system in an old parking lot. While the PA’s beep their hearts out and gasp for breath, the android remains determined to park its old-timer precisely right. No matter what.

Running time: 00:07:44

Dramaturgy (Netherlands) by Denise Bakker

The fashion film ‘Dramaturgy’ forecasts the ways we could outperform ourselves within Web 3.0 and lose touch with our ‘real’ selves, which we had before shifting daily life all online and being behind a VR headset 12+ hours per day, and illustrates the effect of performing on social media: young adults suffer from depression and anxiety in ‘real’ life while showcasing a perfect cheerful version(s) of themselves online. This creates an absurd dystopian, where ‘real’ life and our ‘online’ life will contradict, diverge and accelerate. The story takes place in a futuristic 2032. We follow protagonist Roxy who is dealing with online & offline self-destruction due to their loss with their real-life self.

Running time: 00:06:35

Omens (Belgium) by Maya Wuytack

In a rough, deserted no man's land, seven bodies are washed ashore. The desolate landscape reveals glimpses of an unpredictable era. When they gain consciousness they find themselves between a visible and invisible world. The poetic journey unfolds between what seems to be a dream and their dreaming bodies. In their entangled destinies they seek shelter with each other and find refuge in the caves of the rocky coast. The rough landscape reflects their existential barrenness. Exposed to the forces of nature, surrender is their only defense. In the eye of the storm, their listening bodies breathe silence. Omens is a mystical quest for self-discovery, belonging and connection.

Running time: 00:05:58

Barrier (Canada) by Alexander Zip

Time passes but nothing changes. Opportunities are missed one after the other. Until finally there's a way out.

Running time: 00:02:16