OFFICIAL SELECTION
CHRISTO THE CIVILIZED BARBARIAN
Directed by Shaddy Safadi
400 AD at the height of tension between the unruly Barbarian Clans and the imperialist Roman empire, Christo, a civilized barbarian, consistently tries and fails to bring Roman-esque decency, decorum, and cleanliness to his dim-witted yet affable brethren. An animated “Curb Your Enthusiasm-like” comedy that deals in purposely low stakes 21st century grievances against the backdrop of a high-stakes ancient world.
G A L A R
Directed by Niall Duffy
In rural Ireland, a determined father fights to save his crumbling home and protect his family amidst a neglected housing crisis.
Based on true events from an ongoing crisis.
THE IRON SNAIL
Directed by Charles Logan Clare
After the death of her husband and mentor, a goldsmith struggles to step into her own mastery, torn between the fear of letting him down and the quiet realisation that his legacy lives on through her hands.
STRINGS
Directed by Erika Skyte
Five people tangled in string. Five bodies craving liberation. How long do you hold on to something before it starts to slowly destroy you?
WHAT I AM
Directed by Jackie Oudney
A woman suffers amnesia following an accident at home. A renaissance begins for her as she pieces her life back together, delighting in her existence as never before. However, a sudden cruel twist reveals she isn't who she thought she was.
STROLLING DOWN BRIGHTON PIER
Directed by Kenny McCracken
A young Edwardian gentleman, working as a photographer, falls madly in love with a captivating woman as she takes her daily stroll down Brighton Pier. Finally mustering the courage to approach her, he is devastated to discover that there's someone else in the picture.
Ice Cream Headache
Directed by Benjamin K. Dyson
United Kingdom
Jeremy is a young man who is Autistic and wants to find love for the first time. He tries online dating and is negotiating that landscape, and after a false start, he does some soul searching for the right venue, enter Jessica, could she be the one?
THE DITCH
Directed by Kim Saarinen, P.J. Piippo
Every day of his life he digs a ditch. In the end, life is
ready in all its unfinished.
The life cycle of a little boy to old age runs side by side
with a digging ditch. - A metaphorical story of life
and labor, the meaning and the folly of all.
In a hyper-sexual world, there are very few movies exploring what it feels like to be on the asexual spectrum. Director Gina Hara sets out to create refreshingly unique asexual representation on the silver screen, while taking inspiration from movies by Maya Deren and Roy Andersson.
MONUMENT VALLEY III: THE LIGHTHOUSE
Directed by Daniel Chester, David Prosser, Margaux Scanatovits
Sula washes up on a mysterious island full of puzzles, illusions and surreal challenges. Will she unlock the secrets of the island and reconnect with her lost community?
STRAY
Directed by Morven Christie
On her first trip to a Glasgow nightclub, 14 year old Eilidh has an experience that shakes her soul. She ventures out into the night alone and changed, in search of somewhere -or someone- that feels like shelter. Stray explores how nature can help us hold onto tenderness in a world that’s hostile towards it.
I REPLIED WITH MY HEART
Directed by Anita García Rico
Jemma’s best friend Lorna has started to pull away from her. When Jemma decides to host a wild house party, she’ll have to contend with a whirlwind of obsession, paranoia and anxiety to desperately keep Lorna close, no matter the cost.
