Author name: Fernanda Espinoza

In a cotton-farming village in Sudan, teenage Nafisa is raised on heroic tales of battling British colonizers told by her grandmother, the village matriarch Al-Sit. But when a young businessman arrives from abroad with a new development plan and genetically engineered cotton, Nafisa becomes the center of a power play to determine the future of the village. Awakening to her own strength, Nafisa sets out to save the cotton fields – and herself. Neither she nor her community will ever be the same again.

When a small group of teenagers sit outside the Swedish parliament with handwritten placards demanding climate action, they ignite what will become one of the largest youth movements of modern times. Over seven years of filming, the documentary follows Greta, Isabelle, Sophia, Andreas, Anton, Ell, Simon and several others as they grow up with demonstrations, negotiations and political storms.

Sam escapes from the hospital where she is being treated for cancer. She heads for a mountain sacred to the Māori people, where she can be freed from her illness. Along the way, she meets Bronco and Mallory, and together they form an unlikely trio. An exciting and comical adventure in the New Zealand wilderness awaits.

Once a year, a quiet and secluded village in the north-western part of Lithuania comes alive to celebrate Catholic Easter, doing its best to preserve the vanishing ancient tradition of the Guardians of the Cross. With gentle humor observing the preparations of the local community for the vigil and immersing the audience in Easter night, the filmmakers raise questions about the relationship between the sacred and profane in modern world.

Childhood friends MyNa and Farah form the artistic duo Mahoyo. Through their art, they explore questions of identity and belonging within the highly segregated Swedish society. As we follow their journey, we get closer into the growth of far-right movements in Sweden, but also into the uprising of a generation of young Swedes creating political change.

Arzé (2024) is a Lebanese comedy-drama directed by Mira Shaib, following a single mother and her son as they navigate life’s challenges in Beirut. The film explores family dynamics and societal struggles, featuring compelling performances and a powerful narrative.

Lidia takes refuge in swimming and the weightlessness of the water to escape her deeply dysfunctional family and her father’s abuse. The freedom of university leads to an explosion of living and addiction, but also writing and a course on Ken Kesey. Kristen Stewart transforms the memoirs of outspoken author Lidia Yuknavitch into a boldly poetic and cocky 16mm film, which conveys equal parts beauty and pain. And proves that she is at least as talented and honest a director as she is an actress.