Category: Selection 2024

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The Journey: The Future of Kazakh Nomads

Synopsis: Bayan-Ulgii. At the foot of the Mongolian Altai Mountains lies a region where Kazakh nomads live. While some families still continue their traditional nomadic lifestyle, others have migrated to the cities due to desertification. How do the parents and children feel and live in the traditional way of life that is being lost? I lived with them and explored their current situation.

Director: Kazuya Isobe

Country of Origin: Japan

Country of Filming: Kazakhstan, Mongolia

Language: Kazakh

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:12:40 

Project Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWuJIRuthtTx9fR_l-teZ-w

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

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Kazuya Isobe

Bio: After graduating from the Osaka City University Faculty of Human Life Science, I joined a local educational institution in the resettlement area near Manila to work in vocational training. Over the course of four years, I held the position of a trainer primarily responsible for designing training curricula. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I embarked on a journey to explore remote corners of the world, documenting my experiences through documentary videos.
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The Little Church That Could

Synopsis: Amidst a mostly Catholic community, a small tiny Anglican church offers more to the community of Placentia than people may think, and holds many connections and history to the rest of the world.

Submitter Statement: James takes great pride in “The Little Church That Could” as it serves as his homage to his hometown and a building where he dedicated numerous years guiding countless visitors on tours. 

Director: James Newhook

Producer: Peter Buckle, Keith Bonnell

Key Cast: Christopher Newhook, Kevin Noseworthy, Tom O’Keefe

Country of Origin: Canada

Country of Filming: Canada

Language: English

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:12:59

Project Website: https://cnafilmfestival2022.weebly.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnafinalfilm2022/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnafinalfilm2022/

Twitter:

 

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James Newhook

Bio: James Newhook is a filmmaker rooted in the captivating landscapes of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, with a deep admiration for both history and film. Over the years, as he has delved into filmmaking and immersed himself with Newfoundland’s history, he’s come to realize that film can serve as an extraordinary medium to both educate and preserve stories that would otherwise vanish into the annals of time. His works often center around the local Newfoundland culture, ranging from adapting true stories from his hometown and creating documentaries that archive historical aspects, to producing cinematic adaptations of the folklore deeply woven into the culture of his home province.

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Do Dola

Synopsis: Topli Do is a village on Stara Planina in Serbia. It is an old village preserved in time. A kind of a time capsule. Ziza, director of this movie, is working on preventing this village as a historical and cultural heritage of Republic of Serbia. Her job is not only preserving the old houses but also the sorrounding and non material heritage. The movie represents the part of her reserch that lasts for fiew years. 

Submitter Statement: To Topli Do is a film about a unique cultural heritage. As an ethnologist, my goal was to draw attention to this pearl on Stara Planina. The protection of such places and their traditional values is of great importance in preserving the identity of the area and the people who live here. The authenticity of this place led me to many years of study in order to protect the entire village as a cultural heritage.

Director: Ziza Stojicic Dragicevic 

Writer: Ziza Stojicic Dragicevic 

Producer: Dusan Andrejevic

Country of Origin: Serbia

Country of Filming: Serbia

Language: Serbian

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:13:06

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Ziza Stojicic Dragicevic 

Bio: Žiža Stojičić Dragićević Nade Tomić 13/28, Niš 060 140 4311 ziza.dragicevic@zzzsknis.rs Education: – B.Sc. ethnologist, 1994. – Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade Title: conservator – adviser Work experience: Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments Nis, since 1997. Research and protection of national architectural heritage, author’s projects for the protection of villages on the Stara mountain, Rtanj mountain, Suva mountain, articles in professional magazines, monograph Folk architectural heritage in the territory of the municipalities of Bujanovac and Preševo. Author exhibitions: -Exhibition of photographs: Earth Houses, 2004 in Nis -Exhibition of photographs: Water Mills of our Region, 2005 in Nis – Exhibition of photographs and technical drawings: Folk architectural heritage in the territory of the municipalities of Bujanovac and Preševo. – Exhibition of photographs and technical drawings: Folk architectural heritage of Toplo Dol Author’s documentary ethnological films: – Miraculous healings in the monasteries of Serbia and Montenegro – Heritage of Southern Serbia – Towards Dol Awards and recognitions: -Recognition of the Ministry of Culture for the organization of “European Heritage Day” in Niš in 2004 – Award of the European Union and Europa Nostra for the Project of researching the folk architectural heritage in the village of Gostuša for the initiation of the protection procedure, 2016

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Perpetual Search

Synopsis: This documentary focuses on Mr. Bhim Bahadur Thapa, his enduring legacy, and the mythical aspects of his life. It serves both as a biographical account and as an enduring piece of social commentary. He entered this world on 8 May 1920, dedicating his entire existence to the belief that people needed to awaken to effect positive changes in their lives. This profound conviction guided him throughout his life, leading him to paint and inscribe the word ‘Khoja/Search’ on pavements, walls, and stones across Nepal. On 2 June 2022, in Kathmandu, Mr. Thapa’s remarkable journey came to an end. He lived for an impressive 102 years and 25 days. It is estimated that he penned or inscribed ‘Khoja/Search’ more than 8 million times.

Director: Gopal Shivakoti 

Writer: Gopal Shivakoti

Producer: Gopal Shivakoti, Bhakta Chand

Key Cast: Bhim Bahadur Thapa

Country of Origin: Nepal 

Country of Filming: Nepal

Language: Nepali

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:13:17

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Gopal Shivakoti 

Bio: Gopal Shivakoti is a documentary filmmaker from Nepal. He has been working in the film and digital media industry since 2004. Primarily, he is a visual editor who also specializes in 2D animation, motion graphics, and filmmaking. His hobbies include ethnology and documentary filming. He has shot and edited a dozen non-fiction films. His first feature-length documentary, “Save Gangamaya,” is about Satyagrahi Gangamaya Adhikari, who has been on a fast-unto-death protest to seek justice for the 2004 murder of her innocent teenage son. The film received an overwhelming response in the international film festival circuit. His recent documentary films include “In Search of the Searchman,” “When Shall I See My Daddy,” “War Crime,” “Pinky Gurung,” “We are with Dr. KC,” “Gai Jatra,” “Bicycle Hero,” “Chain and Worship,” “PERPETUAL SEARCH,” “Simple Joy,” and “PRIDE AND PROGRESS.”

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Ventotene does not fear the wind

Synopsis: The Island of Ventotene is one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean Sea. Let’s follow the Class 2 in a 3-days school residence, guided by Michele Lariccia.

Submitter Statement: 

Director: Vittorio Caratozzolo

Writer: Vittorio Caratozzolo & Class 2 A (2022-23), Michele Lariccia

Producer: Vittorio Caratozzolo & Istituto Comprensivo Trento 5

Key Cast: Michele Lariccia, Class 2 A (2022-23) Middle School – 1 Grade “Giacomo Bresadola” – Istituto Comprensivo Trento 5

Country of Origin: Italy

Country of Filming: Italy

Language: English, Italian

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:13:33

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Vittorio Caratozzolo

Bio: I’m a simple middle school / 1 grade teacher, with his normally marvelous students.

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Islam: We walk with you

Synopsis: In a village in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, there is a family of four living peacefully. They have a precious son named Islam. He was born with cerebral palsy and cannot walk by himself. Because of the remote location, the village is unable to provide rehabilitation for him. Milk tea poured into the empty cup, his mother staring at the clinic, his father and brother fixing the car. All lead to one hope. This film is made for all children with disabilities who live in remote areas. We are offering all the funds we receive through this film to support their expenses of rehabilitation.

Director: Kazuya Isobe

Producer: Kyzzhibek

Key Cast:  Islam, Erkinbek, Tolobubu, Kairat

Country of Origin: Japan

Country of Filming: Kyrgyzstan

Language: Kyrgyzstanese

Subtitles: English

Runtime: 00:14:53

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

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 Kazuya Isobe

Bio: After graduating from the Osaka City University Faculty of Human Life Science, I joined a local educational institution in the resettlement area near Manila to work in vocational training. Over the course of four years, I held the position of a trainer primarily responsible for designing training curricula. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I embarked on a journey to explore remote corners of the world, documenting my experiences through documentary videos. My channel, “Henkyo (Frontier) Insiders | World Over the Shoulder,” aims to showcase lesser-known aspects of people, places, and cultures from the perspective of the locals. For my debut project, titled “Lake of Death and Devil’s Gold,” I captured the lives of volcanic miners in Java, Indonesia, in a documentary format. The film made it to the final selection of Digicon6 Asia6 24th and was also screened at the Okinawa Sakurazaka Theatre Film Festival. Rather than observing society as an outsider through tourism, I believe that living among the locals and observing their daily lives offers a deeper understanding of a place. Drawing from the lessons I’ve learned from my overseas experiences, I propose a journey that upgrades from mere tourism to immersive observation, all conveyed through visual storytelling.

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We are a Hope

Synopsis: About 200 people from Ukraine have arrived in Rypin – a small town in Poland. The film shows how the refugees found their way to the new place, what their lives are like now, and who gives them hope for the future by helping on many levels.

Director: Wawrzyniec Turowski

Writer: Wawrzyniec Turowski

Producer: Wawrzyniec Turowski

Country of Origin: Poland

Country of Filming: Poland

Language:  Polish

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:14:59

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Wawrzyniec Turowski

Bio: Wawrzyniec Turowski (born in Rypin, Poland) makes documentary films, music videos, reportages and experimental films. In his movies, he touches on socially engaged topics, tells about extraordinary people, as well as shows things in a humours way. He also paints surralistic, abstract and landscape paintings.

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DEQ

Synopsis: The tradition that started in Mesopotamia continues to have a small impact today. Our grandparents who live in the cities of Urfa Mardin Diyarbakir continue this ending DEQ culture. Different beliefs and cultural heritages tell about the way DEQ is made and the meanings they put on them.

Director: Furkan Aydın

Writer: Furkan Aydın

Producer: Mustafa Aydın

Country of Origin: Turkey

Country of Filming: Turkey

Language: Arabic

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:14:59

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

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Furkan Aydın

Bio: Furkan Aydın; Born in Sakarya/Hendek, I am a student of Radio, Television and Cinema at Selçuk University. I have been working as a cameraman in Kısaca Film Workshop, which belongs to our school, for four years. 

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I won’t remain alone

Synopsis: Seyed Jalal, a blind 86 years old man and his wife Bibi Soraya, 80 years old with chronic nerve disease live in poverty conditions. Their two sons moved to the city. They got a devastating news about their son’s brain death. The old fragile blind father, has to make a decision whether to donate his son’s healthy parts to help 16 other patients. Five years later, the crew-team visits the old couple. Jalal is now very old, fragile and a sick man. His mind and soul is ready to leave this world. His last wish before he dies, he asked the camera crew-team to find the person with Hassan’s heart. He wishes to rest his head on the person’s chest and die peacefully.

Director: Yaser Talebi 

Writer: Dr Ali Ramzani Paji, Farzaneh Fathi

Producer: Fariba Arab, Yaser Talebi

Country of Origin: Islamic Republic of Iran

Country of Filming: Islamic Republic of Iran

Language: Persian

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:15:00

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/yasertalebi

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Yaser Talebi

Bio: Yaser Talebi is a Northern Iranian film director, producer, screenwriter, editor, and creative director. He is a member of the Iranian Documentary Filmmakers Association (IRDFA) and has won numerous awards for his work, which has been screened at festivals worldwide. Talebi’s documentaries are characterized by the observational method, which seeks to avoid judgment and allow everyday reality to unfold. He has made several documentaries for television, including a series of travel documentaries that examine history, civilization, rituals and traditions, ancient sites, and food. Talebi has served as a jury member at several international film festivals, including the International Outdoor Documentary Film Festival of China OUTDOCS and the Pambujan International Film Festival in the Eastern Philippines and 3rd Tbilisi International Short Film Festival Diogenes.

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Meryem

Synopsis: Is geography destiny? So, is Meryem’s destiny geography? Documentary film about the positive perspective of an orphaned girl in the Middle East despite the negativities and obstacles. 

Submitter Statement: Isn’t life short enough?

Director: Serhan Doğan

Writer: Umut Karagöz 

Producer: Serhan Doğan

Key Cast: Meryem mohamed taban

Country of Origin: Turkey

Country of Filming: Syrian Arab Republic

Language: 

Subtitles: 

Runtime: 00:15:02

Project Website: http://pizoom.com

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Serhan Doğan

Bio: Hello, I’m Serhan. I am 25 years old. I graduated from Selçuk University, Faculty of Communication, radio, television and cinema department. After working as a documentary and short film director, presenter, editor and screenwriter in the sector for 2 years after university education, I want to show my communication and development skills in a different sector of my own will. The projects I have made are published on Konya Metropolitan Municipality pages and currently on Kontv screens. My projects are also award-winning.

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