Category: Selection 2024

Synopsis: In the bustling streets of Quetta, Pakistan, where shadows dance with sorrow and whispers of despair echo through the alleys, “Semurg: Threads of Resilience” unfolds a tapestry of courage and redemption within a community scarred by two decades of violence and loss. At its heart lies the captivating tale of Usta Zahir, a master rug maker whose journey from darkness to light weaves a narrative of hope amidst the ashes of tragedy. When tragedy strikes and Usta Zahir suddenly loses his father to a devastating blast, the fabric of his world is torn asunder. Consumed by grief and suffocated by the weight of his sorrow, he retreats into the solitude of his workshop, locking himself away from the world for years on end. In the silence of his self-imposed exile, he battles demons both seen and unseen, wrestling with the shadows that threaten to engulf him. But within the confines of his makeshift sanctuary, something remarkable begins to take shape. As the days turn into weeks and the weeks into years, Usta Zahir finds solace in the rhythmic clack of the loom and the comforting embrace of his craft. With each thread he weaves, he begins to unravel the knots of pain that bind him, finding strength in the very act of creation. And so it is that Usta Zahir emerges from the darkness, his spirit renewed and his resolve unyielding. With a newfound sense of purpose, he turns his attention to those around him – the women, refugees, and widows who have suffered the same fate as he. With patience and compassion, he takes them under his wing, teaching them the art of rug making and offering them a lifeline amidst the chaos that surrounds them. As Usta Zahir imparts his knowledge to these eager learners, “Semurg” captures the delicate dance of healing and transformation. With each stitch, they reclaim their voices, weaving tales of resilience and defiance into the fabric of their rugs. And in the process, they discover a strength within themselves that they never knew existed – a strength born of adversity and forged in the fires of their shared experience. Yet, amidst the beauty of their creations, “Semurg” never shies away from the harsh realities that continue to plague their community. It bears witness to the tears shed for loved ones lost, the fear that lingers in the shadows, and the scars that may never fully heal. And yet, through it all, “Semurg” is a testament to the power of the human spirit to rise from the ashes of despair. Like the mythical phoenix, Usta Zahir and his companions defy the darkness that threatens to consume them, their art a beacon of hope in a world overshadowed by pain. As the credits roll, “Semurg: Threads of Resilience” leaves viewers with a profound sense of awe and admiration for the strength and resilience of the human spirit. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the light of hope flickers eternal, illuminating the path toward a brighter tomorrow.

Submitter Statement:

Director: Nusrat Batool

Writer:

Producer: Javed Hussain

Key Cast: Usta zahir

Country of Origin: Pakistan

Country of Filming: Pakistan

Language: Persian

Subtitles:

Runtime: 00:05:00

Hussain Hazara

Synopsis: Evocation of the current situation in Cuba through Cuban popular songs edited on images that seek to give them another meaning.

Director: Eduardo Soutullo

Writer: Eduardo Soutullo

Producer: Eduardo Soutullo

Country of Origin: Spain

Country of Filming: Cuba

Language: Spanish

Subtitles:

Runtime: ’00:05:00

Project Website: ……….

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eduardo.soutullo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eduardosoutullogarcia/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/eduardosoutullo

Eduardo Soutullo

Synopsis: ‘The Price of Regulation’ is a short documentary that sheds light on the plight of Ethiopian coffee producers whose livelihoods are intricately tied to the forests they depend on for their homes and sustenance. The film aims to bring attention to the urgent need for the European Union (EU) to consider the unique challenges faced by these farmers in their pursuit of a sustainable and prosperous future. Through captivating storytelling and intimate interviews, the documentary showcases the deep connection between the farmers’ lives and the forests they rely on. It delves into the delicate balance between environmental conservation and rural livelihoods, emphasizing the crucial role played by the EU in shaping international regulations that impact coffee production. The film advocates for fair international regulations that take into account the specific needs and circumstances of Ethiopian coffee farmers. It highlights the importance of sustainable practices, emphasizing the need for the EU to support and promote environmentally friendly approaches that safeguard both the forests and the farmers’ way of life. Moreover, ‘The Price of Regulation’ calls for consumer involvement and global stakeholder collaboration to create a more equitable and sustainable coffee industry. By amplifying the voices of the impacted communities, the documentary aims to foster a meaningful dialogue that includes the perspectives and concerns of the farmers themselves. Ultimately, the film serves as a powerful plea to the EU and the international community to recognize and address the challenges faced by Ethiopian coffee producers. It invites viewers to reflect on their own role as consumers and advocates for change, urging them to support fair trade practices and actively participate in shaping a future where the farmers’ needs and aspirations are prioritized and their livelihoods are secured.

Submitter Statement: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Director: Fedawak Gemechu Boru

Writer: Abreham Ashagre

Producer: Kenean Dukamo Asefa

Country of Origin: Ethiopia

Country of Filming: Ethiopia

Language: Amharic

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:05:34

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/argan_films/

Fedawak Gemechu Boru

Synopsis: There are barely 200 meters between the entry and exit signs of Nadal. Sitting in between two provinces, in this small village of no more than 20 houses lived my family for some time in their lives. Going as a child was always a delightful time, seeing my great-grandma, the “cocido”, being with León and the cats, my grandpa’s orchard, picking wild blackberries… They are only diffuse memories now. There are still photos left, stories in the memories of my mom and grandma, a painting or even images on Street View. ¿Has anything really changed?

Director: Daniel Iglesias González

Writer: Daniel Iglesias González

Producer: Daniel Iglesias González

Key Cast: Mª Digna Somoza

Country of Origin: Spain

Country of Filming: Spain

Language: Spanish

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:05:27

Daniel Iglesias

Synopsis:

Director: Mehmet Ali Poyraz

Key Cast: adem yılmaz, nuray yılmaz, Ramazan Kocael, rıdvan çetin

Country of Origin: Turkey

Country of Filming: Turkey

Language: Turkish

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:07:04

Project Website: http://www.image8agency.com

Mehmet Ali Poyraz

Synopsis: Teuk Khmao Temple forest borders Prey Lang, the last natural habitat of Cambodia. As both Khmer and indigenous communities live on its by-products, check out how they take action for such preservation.

Director: Veasna Nham

Producer: Sithen Sum, Vutha Koam

Country of Origin: Cambodia

Country of Filming: Cambodia

Language: Central Khmer

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:07:12

Project Website: http://www.sunflowerfilm.org 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsdocumentcambodia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunflowerfilmorg

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sunflower_fo

Sum Sithen, Koam Vutha