Biography  

Georgi Daneliya was born on August 25, 1930 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Since 1939 the family lived in Moscow, where Danelia's father was the chief engineer for the Moscow Underground Metro System. Daneliya's father became a decorated WWII General, specializing in construction of underground bunkers for the Soviet Government. His mother was a good chess-player and later worked as a second unit director at Mosfilm. Daneliya's mother's sister Veriko Andjaparidze was married to Mikheil Chiaureli, who was a personal friend of Joseph Stalin. Daneliya first earned his architect's degree from the Moscow Architecture Institute. Then he studied at the Higher Director's Courses at Mosfilmunder Mikhail Romm, and graduated in 1959, becoming a film director at the Mosfilm Studios in Moscow.

Synopsis 

Aspiring DJ Tolik and world-renowned cellist Vladimir Chizhov meet a barefoot man on a busy street in Moscow. They press a button on a strange handheld device that teleports them to the desert planet Pluke.This animated remake of the cult film Kin-dza-dza! recounts the adventure of Tolik and Uncle Vova in an equally exciting and amusing way. In this alien sandy world, people belong to one of two groups—Patsaks and Chatlanians; an ordinary match is priceless; and people are judged by the color of their trousers.

Biography  

GIUSEPPE TORNATORE  was born in 1956 in Sicily. Debuted as stage director at the age of 16. His filmNuovo Cinema Paradiso (1988) narrating the life of a successful film director who has returned to his native town in Sicily for the funeral of his mentor, obtained worldwide success and won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Synopsis

Virgil Oldman is the Managing Director of a major auction house. From time to time, he and his partner Billy, in plain view of the world, pull off ingenious scam, deftly manipulating and deceiving both buyers and sellers. In a secret room in his villa he has collected hundreds of priceless paintings from different eras. One day, a mysterious woman, concealing her identity, asks him to sell some of her family's antiques. Among the numerous works of art Oldman finds scattered pieces of an ancient mechanism. It was said, long ago that in order to animate this mechanism, its creators sought help from the highest powers. ...Together with his brilliant friend Robert he tries to uncover the secret of the device, putting it together piece by piece like a puzzle. But Oldman is not only interested in antiques, it is the woman who truly fascinates him...

Biography

A lifelong inhabitant of the Palestinian village of Bil’in, EmadBurnat is a farmer and freelance cameraman. He has contributed to several documentaries, including Bil’in My Love, Palestine Kids, Open Close, and Interrupted Streams.

Born in Jaffa, Guy Davidi is a documentary filmmaker and teacher who has been directing, editing, and shooting films since the age of 16. His short documentaries include In Working Progress, Keywords, and Women Defying Barriers; his first feature film, Interrupted Streams, premiered in 2010 at the Jerusalem Film Festival.

Synopsis

A Palestinian farmer who purchased a video camera to document the birth of his fourth son begins using it to record the struggle between his people and Israeli settlers, and continues to buy a new camera each time his old one is damaged in the fray. The year was 2005. Bil'in family man EmadBurnat was celebrating the birth of his fourth son Gibreel when the settlers began erecting a massive separation barrier in their village. Over the course of the next two years, Burnat alternated between documenting his son's development, and turning his camera on the peaceful protests over the controversial barrier. This is the story of each of Burnat's cameras, and the images they captured as his friends, family, and loved ones waged a valiant struggle to preserve their way of life

Synopsis

South African Bradley Nelson is one of thousand English teachers who have been invited to Georgia to carry out a "Linguistic revolution". He found out about Presidential program through the web. To participate in "big changes", Bradley goes to the small village in Samegrelo, where time stands still, no signs of promised revolutionary changes, and no desire to change at all. Villagers are facing completely different challenges...

Biography

Nino Orjonikidze - Documentary film director and producer. She started as a TV reporter. After graduating from Goldsmiths, University of London, she worked as a producer and director of documentary Films for TV.  Since 2008 she’s running the producing company ARTEFACT PRODUCTIONS with Vano Arsenishvili. In 2009 her and Vano Arsenishvili’s film  Altzaney was nominated for a number of international film festivals including DOK Leipzig, Krakow Film Festival and others.

Vano Arsenishvili -  After graduating from animation faculty of Tbilisi Theatrical Institute Vano Arsenishvili carried on his studies in the group of Michael Haneke at Vienna Film Academy (majoring in film direction). He is a co-founder of producing company ARTEFACT PRODUCTIONS. 

Biography

WiktoriaSzymańska (Gdańsk, Poland), director, producer, writer, and painter, studied at the Wajda School in Warsaw and at the Sorbonne’s film and art department (2004-05). Currently, her work environment alternates between London and Paris, although she lived previously in New York where she worked in experimental film and theater. Her documentary Themerson and Themerson(2010) was presented at numerous international festivals (e.g. Nyon, Leipzig, Wrocław, Lisbon, Nantes); at the Art of the Documentary, the film won the Future Media award. Szymańska also worked on a number of television programs for Arte TV, and she conducts workshops in Rio de Janeiro and at the École du Louvre in Paris. In 2009 she initiated cooperation with colleagues from ESoDoc on the European multimedia project Stories from the Bench.

Synopsis 

Michael Meschke is one of the world’s top puppeteers. At the age of five, he and his family escaped from Nazi Germany to Sweden. From there, after graduation, he set off around the world, traveling with his puppet ensemble for over six decades. During that time he amassed a collection of over 3,000 marionettes that must now vacate unsuitable basement storage in a Stockholm museum. But each has its own story and unmistakable personality, whether the charismatic Don Quixote, the lovely Penelope, the inquisitive Baptiste, or the mysterious Antigone. In charmingly filmed scenes, the master induces his “actors” to portray the gamut of archetypal human emotions – from love, regret, and passion, to the fear of death.

Biography

Steve Hoover has been directing commercials and music videos for the past six years. His work has been shown on virtually every media outlet and has amassed more than 100 million YouTube views. Hoover is a director at Animal, a production and visual-effects facility in Pittsburgh. Blood Brother, which he wrote, directed, produced, and narrated, is his first feature film.

Synopsis

Rocky went to India as a disillusioned tourist.  When he met a group of children with HIV, he decided to stay and devote his life to them.  This unmistakable power of love is celebrated in this story of one man’s decision to move to India and restart his life among the dispossessed.  “Rocky Anna” (as the children living at an orphanage for those infected with HIV call him, which means ‘brother’) was dissatisfied with his life in America.  Having grown up without a close-knit family of his own, he found his calling living and working with kids in need. Blood Brother – a documentary feature directed by Rocky’s longtime friend, Steve Hoover, traces Rocky’s story of working in the village of Tamil Nadu, India for the past five years.  The film illustrates his commitment to the children and their families who face life and death situations on a daily basis. Film received several prizes at many festivals including Grand Jury Prize Sundance FF, USA, 2013; 

Biography

Hermann Vaske is a director, author and producer. As a director he worked with actors such as Dennis Hopper, Harvey Keitel and John Cleese. Hermann is the winner of the Grimme Award (Germany’s TV Oscar) and more than 100 creative awards including Cannes Lions and Clios. He runs Hermann Vaske’s Emotional Network, a creative boutique in Frankfurt and Berlin. Clients include ARTE, BR, MTV, BMW and ZDF.

Filmography Hermann Vaske include  - Balkan Spirit (2012), Beyond – A Cyberspace Odyssey (2010) ,Digital Bomb (2009), Der RadikaleGärtner (2008), Letters to a Young Poet (2007), The Art of Football (2006), Museumsinsel Berlin (2006), Invasion of the Ideas (2005), Who Killed the Idea? (2003), Why Are You Creative? (2002), The Ten commandments of Creativity (2001), The A-Z of Separating People from their Money (1998)

Synopsis

Balkan Spirit The Balkans is a European region that breathes and lives creativity. Borders come and go but the creativity of the Balkans remains. Where are the roots of this fresh and radical creativity? How important is creativity in the Balkans in order to survive? How important is the art of improvisation? How does Balkan creativity in times of European crisis cope with Western views and prejudices?

Philosopher SlavojŽižek takes us along a rollercoaster ride through the creative world of the Balkans. It is an exploration of the various facets of creativity: cultural, philosophical, political and artistic. Featuring world-renowned performance artist Marina Abramovic and actress Angelina Jolie, who chose the Balkan theme for her directorial debut. Musicians like Baba Zula and GoranBregovic. Directors as diverse as JasmilaZbanic and Emir Kusturica.

Biography

Born in Poland, Janusz Mrozowski lives and works in France. He knows prisons where he established filmmaking workshops, in France and in Poland. In last years, he has produced and directed a Prison Trilogy, three feature documentaries:  BAD BOY High Security Cell (78')  - 2012, BAD GIRLS cell 77 (95') – 2010, BAD BOYS cell 425 (124') – 2009

Synopsis

The diary of a young Polish bank robber in solitary confinement - without privacy, visitors, or even a window - struggling against insanity.

The film offers an exceptional look into one of the most secret places in prisons. Over a period of 78 minutes, we get to know Damian, 28 years old, condemned to ten years in jail for armed bank robbery. His frank and truthful discussion, with himself and with the camera of Janusz Mrozowski, reveals his troubled inner world, his doubts but also his sensitivity and understanding, and with his tattooed arms he holds up a mirror to our society, and to ourselves.

Biography

Producer Mike Lerner has been a documentary filmmaker for 25 years. He has produced films for many international broadcasters including BBC, Channel Four, Five, ITV, Discovery, HBO, PBS. His previous work includes Afghan Star, which won the World Cinema Documentary Audience Award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival;Hell and Back Again, which won the documentary Jury Prize at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award; and The Visit.Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer is his first feature as director.

Maxim Pozdorovkin is director and producer. His first feature, Capital, is a modern-day symphony about the utopian city of Astana, Kazakhstan. The film has been shown at film festivals around the world and exhibited at art galleries. He is currently creating a documentary about the international arms dealer Viktor Bout.

SYNOPSIS:

In February 2012 Nadia, Masha and Katia of the feminist art collective Pussy Riot performed a 40-second “punk prayer” inside the Russia’s main cathedral, which led to their arrest on charges of religious hatred, followed by a trial that reverberated around the world. But who is really on trial in a case that has gripped the nation and the world beyond, three young artists or the society they live in?

Biography

Joshua Oppenheimer - Born 1974, Texas, USA. Joshua Oppenheimer has worked for over a decade with militias, death squads and their victims to explore the relationship between political violence and the public imagination. Educated at Harvard and Central St Martins, London, his award-winning films include THE GLOBALIZATION TAPES (2003, co-directed with Christine Cynn), THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE (1998, Gold Hugo, Chicago Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival), THESE PLACES WE’VE LEARNED TO CALL HOME (1996, Gold Spire, San Francisco Film Festival) and numerous shorts. Oppenheimer is Senior Researcher on the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Genocide and Genre project and has published widely on these themes.

Biography

Christine Cynn has been directing documentary and experimental films for the past 14 years. For the last decade, she has been developing new ways to document the human imagination. Educated at Harvard, and the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to Uganda, she co-directed THE GLOBALIZATION TAPES (2003) with Joshua Oppenheimer. She has written screenplays for FilmFour and was a founding member of the Vision Machine Film Project in London. She was a researcher on the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Genocide and Genre project. Cynn is currently developing a project, Science Future, combining documentary with fiction, about how scientists imagine the future.

Synopsis

A true cinematic experiment, The Act of Killing explores a chapter of Indonesia's history in a way bound to stir debate—by enlisting a group of former killers, including Indonesian paramilitary leader Anwar Congo, to re-enact their lives in the style of the films they love. When the government of President Sukarno was overthrown by the military in 1965, Anwar and his cohorts joined in the mass murder of more than one million alleged communists, ethnic Chinese, and intellectuals. Now, Anwar and his team perform detailed re-enactments of their crimes with pride, holding numerous discussions about sets, costumes, and pyrotechnics. But as movie violence and real-life violence begin to overlap, Anwar's pride gradually gives way to regret. And we see a man overwhelmed by the horrific acts he has chosen to share with the world. Official Selection 2012 Toronto International Film Festival and Winner 2013 Berlin Film Festival Panorama Audience Award – documentary film

Biography

Vitaly Manskiy (born 1963, Lvov) graduated in camerawork from the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in 1990. After making his first movie in 1989, he has gone on to create more than 30 films that have been screened at hundreds of world festivals. He has received over 50 prizes for his film work, including a Silver Dove at the Leipzig festival and Best Direction at Locarno. He was also four times nominated for a prestigious Nika award. Since 1996 he has been working on a project aimed at archiving amateur movies from 1930 to 1990 in order to preserve a record of life in the former USSR. Selected filmography: Yevreyskoe schastye (1991), Private chronicles. Monologue (1998), Putin. The Leap Year (2001), Anatomiya T.A.T.U. (2003), Virginity (2008), Sunrise/Sunset (2008), Dalai Lama 14 (2008), Nikolina Gora. Epilogue (2009), Motherland or Death (2011).

Synopsis

According to a claim made by Vladimir Putin, half of Russia’s state budget comes from the oil and gas industry. In the case of natural gas, construction of the Trans-Siberian pipeline became a fundamental milestone when, in 1983, it connected supplies of natural gas in Western Siberia with European consumers. Film sets off along the route of the pipeline to find out what it’s like for ordinary people living in its vicinity. The catch from a frozen Siberian river full of dead fish, an Orthodox mass in a disused train car, a discarded washing machine used as a doghouse, and the invocation of communist ideals due to dissatisfaction with contemporary conditions and the fear of an uncertain future – all this eloquently illustrates the often absurd banality of contemporary Russia. This visually refined road movie is an unsettling portrait of the legendary Trans-Siberian gas pipeline on which most of Europe is still reliant.

Biography 

Born in Khorramabad, Iran in 1969, VahidMousaian graduated from Art and Architecture Faculty with a degree in theatre. He made a number of short films, winning several prizes at both national and international film festivals. Mousaian's debut feature, WISHES OF THE LAND was the recipient of the Special Jury Prize at the 24th Moscow International Film Festival (2002), as well as the 19th Love International Film Festival in Mons, Belgium. His GOLCHEHREH was a winner at Houston, Boston and Batumi Film Festivals.

Synopsis

Two on the road: an actress who is giving up cinema and discovering a new world in photography and a man who lost his factory. The destination is Somalia where human dignity proves to be the conqueror even in the hard times of war and starvation.

Biography

HishamZaman (b. 1975, Iraqi Kurdistan) graduated in 2004 from the Norwegian Film School in Lillehammer. He and his schoolmates shot the short The Bridge(Broen, 2003) and he graduated with The Roof (2004). His overriding theme is the fate of Kurdish refugees in Western Europe. He regularly teams up with crime novelist Kjell Ola Dahl to write his scripts. The director’s greatest festival and critical success to date came with the short film Daddy (Bawke, 2005), which is being presented as part of our retrospective. After the medium-length love storyWinterland (Vinterland, 2007) he made the short film The Other Ones (De andre, 2009), followed by the feature Before Snowfall. He is currently finishing up work on the long-awaited Norwegian-German coproduction A Letter to the King (Brevtilkongen).

Synopsis

An emotive, psychological road movie about the traditional conflicts between the individual and society, between honor and conscience. As the only man in his family, teenager Siyar must take on the responsibility of his elder sister Nermin’s wedding. But when the young woman takes off to Istanbul with her beloved – who is not, however, her arranged husband – the boy must undergo a thankless journey across the border in order to murder his sister, as tradition dictates, for honor’s sake. During his illegal journey he meets Kurds all across Europe whose help and support he can rely on; such solidarity brings a degree of safety but it also carries moral obligations that may not be violated with impunity. To make matters worse, he falls in love for the first time, and he often dreams of his happy childhood in the apple orchards of Kurdistan. Behold the internal maturation of a young man who, with the growing strength of his soul’s capacity for feeling and compassion, tragically distances himself from the remorseless moral norms of his community.

Biography

Serge Avedikian - is a French actor and filmmaker of Armenian birth. Winner of the Palme d'Or for the best short at the Cannes Film Festival. Born in Yerevan in 1955. At the age of 15, emigrated to France with his family. Studied at the Medon Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. He has played a number of roles in а theater, film and television. As director he made a number of documentaries, shorts and animations. Paradjanov is a S. Avedikian director's debut in a feature film.

OlenaFetisova-  is a Ukrainian filmmaker, screenwriter, producer. 2009 laureate of the LessyaUkrainka Cabinet Ministers of Ukraine award. Olena was born in Kiev in 1964. Graduated from VGIK in 1987 and has worked in film since. In 2001 she founded Interfilm Production Studio. Has written and directed numerous films many of which have won prizes at international film festivals. Film Project Paradjanov was developed by OlenaFetisova through the European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs Program (EAVE) and this is her director's debut in a feature film.

Synopsis

Filmmaker Sergei Paradjanov - a genius and provocateur - creates great films that bring him international acclaim. His conduct, however, leads to a conflict with the Soviet totalitarian regime. Paradjanov is thrown in jail on trumped-up charges. Despite imprisonment and being banned from working in film, his unrelenting love of beauty gives strength to continue to creates

Biography

Mohammad SHIRVANI (born 1973, Iran) started studying for the military, but soon exchanged this for a fine arts education. This eventually lead to his true love, cinema. His short films have been screened and won prizes at many festivals. His feature debut Navel (2004) was also screened in Rotterdam. Fat Shaker is his second feature.

Synopsis:

An obese father with his deaf young and attractive son live in Teheran doing some unusual business. The son allows himself to be picked up by young women; then they are stopped by the father who intimidates them with handcuffs. The women have to pay. But at a certain point a mysterious and beautiful woman enters the game. She becomes an agent of change and forces the father and the son to renegotiate their position with each other and the world around them.

Biography
Zaza Rusadze was born in Tbilisi, Georgia in 1977. Rusadze worked for the Georgian State TV for several years. In 1996 he was accepted at the film school HFF "Konrad Wolf” in Potsdam in directing class and moved to Germany. During his study Zaza has worked as News Cutter for German TV Channels and as a translator for the Film Festivals in Berlin, Leipzig and Cottbus. In 2003 Zaza Rusadze received his degree in directing. Zaza worked as assistant director on film sets of Ineke Smits, Dito Tsintsadze and Otar Ioseliani. In 2007 Rusadze founded the Film Production and Distribution Company Zazarfilm in Tbilisi and splits his time between Europe and Georgia since.

Synopsis

Dmitrij's monotonous days drag on, between working in the courthouse and his solitary rock-climbing excursions. In his endeavors to escape the stifling conformity of a small Georgian provincial town, Dmitrij gradually begins to integrate his newly met friend Andrej in his fantasy world. Then Andrej vanishes. Dimitrij learns that Andrej has been accused of murder. Dmitrij offers to testify, to cover for his friend and to convince the court that at the time of the murder he and Andrej were on a rock climbing trip. Dmitrij's evidence obviously stems from his daydream. The testimony is met with disbelief at the court hearing. Andrej is ultimately convicted, and, although all would seem lost, Dmitrij begins to nurture a spiritual rebellion within his soul.

Biography

Ben Wheatley (b. 1972, Billericay, UK) is regarded as one of Britain’s most original contemporary directors. He began working in animation, short films and advertising, then worked for television (often for comedy programmes) and also tapped into the viral phenomenon. He made a name for himself on the feature film stage with his very first film Down Terrace (2010). The dark flick Kill List (2011) made its way to the American festival South by Southwest and then ended up at Karlovy Vary as well. Sightseers (2012) was premiered at Cannes and, like the director’s previous works, then screened at festivals all over the world, including Toronto, Rotterdam and Sundance. He also writes scripts and edits, and collaborates with his wife Amy Jump, who wrote A Field in England, Wheatley’s fourth feature title. 

Synopsis

The English Civil War is raging, and the dark age, when the laws of the universe mean nothing to anyone and the idea of rotating planets is tantamount to heresy, throws up its fair share of strong language. In this story, skirmishes aren’t confined to the battlefield, either. Searching for hidden treasure, a small group of men are assisted by some peculiar mushrooms which shift everything to somewhat unforeseen realms. The film is set in a magical yet chaotic era and, even in its feistily stylised form employing both earthy and exalted dialogue, it manages to crank up an extraordinary tension. This edge is also apparent given the fact that, as a seductively constructed, eloquently scored black-and-white piece, it brings to light the period’s barbarity and squalor, scourges which might seem perilously evocative of modern times

Biography

ALEXANDER VELEDINSKY studied at the Higher Courses for Screenwriters and Film Directors from 1993 to 1995. In 2000-2002, co-wrote the script for the television series Long-haul Truckers, Brigade, The Law. His short filmJust the Two of Us (2001) took part in the 54th Cannes IFF in the "Un Certain Regard" section and won a number of awards at various other film festivals. In 2004 Veledinsky shot a feature film entitled Russian. A. Chadov, the lead actor, received the "Best Actor" award for his role in this film at the "Moscow Premiere" film festival.

Synopsis

Lack of money forces a young biololist to find employment as a geography teacher at a Perm school At first he has to fight with pupils but soon he becomes their friend. He has a run-in with the headmaster and takes 14-year-old students out on a rafting trip. Outside of work, he drinks wine with his friends, tries to get along with his wife, and takes his little daughter to the kindergarten. He is simply trying to survive... And despite his solitude and depression, he never lost the capacity to feel and to love.

Biography

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1975, AsliOzge has lived in Berlin since 2000. Her feature debut Men On the Bridge screened in Locarno and Toronto and won Best Film awards at festivals in Istanbul, Adana, Ankara, and London. It screened at around 40 festivals across the world and secured an international cinema release. Her second feature film Lifelong is premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival. 

Synopsis

Nisantasi is a classy Istanbul residential district. Its inhabitants may be rich and beautiful but they are not necessarily happy. This is the case for 52-year-old architect Can and his wife Ela, an artist who is already past her creative prime. Their daughter Nil has left home to study in Ankara. Left to their own devices, the couple realise that their passion for each other is not what it once was. Nonetheless they both feel secure in the safe harbour of a marriage which places no demands for critical questions or complex explanations. One day, Ela happens to overhear her husband talking on the phone.

Biography

Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth won the Lion of the Future at the 2006 Venice Film Festival with Khadak. Their second fiction, Altiplano, was launched in Cannes in 2009 and won the Golden Kinnaree at the Bangkok International Film Festival.

Peter (born in 1962, Leuven, Belgium) has been an independent filmmaker and producer since 1991. Peter studied urban geography and cultural anthropology. He is a 1995 EAVE graduate. Prior to Khadak he produced and directed creative documentaries such as his ‘Mongolia Trilogy’: City of the Steppes (1993), State of Dogs (1998) and Poets of Mongolia (1999).

Jessica (born in 1971, Washington DC, USA) grew up between Europe and the US. She studied literature at Princeton then worked in China for European networks. She got her MA in documentary from Stanford. She directed the documentary The Virgin Diaries in 2001. Jessica was the president of the jury at the 2011 Ghent International Film Festival.

Synopsis

When time-honored traditions fail in a remote village in the Ardennes Forest, nature falls out of order and the villagers slowly drift from reality, waiting for a spring that may never come, in this strikingly stylized, playfully surreal fable

Winter – In which the trees begin to fall.Spring – In which the cycle of nature is capsized.Summer – In which despair takes its toll.Fall – In which the angels take flight.

Biography 

Born in New York in 1967, she graduated from the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School in Jerusalem in 1994. During those years Rama became deeply religious and upon her graduation she dedicated herself to promoting film as a tool for self expression in the orthodox community. Rama wrote, directed and produced short films purely for the orthodox community, some of them for women only. She was also teaching directing and scriptwriting in various film and television institutions within the orthodox community, including Ma’ale Film School, Yad Benjamin Film School for Woman and Ulpena Arts School, Jerusalem. Fill the Void is her first feature film.

Synopsis

Eighteen-year-old Shira grew up in an Orthodox Hasidic family in Tel Aviv. Her future is clear: she is to marry a promising young man of the same age. After the death of Shira’s older sister Esther, who dies while giving birth to her first child, the family decides that Shira should marry Esther’s widower Yochay. He feels that it’s too early for another marriage, though attractive Shira is the logical choice for a multitude of reasons. But the girl must decide between her mother’s wishes and the voice of her heart.… In this powerful yet subtle directorial debut, Rama Burshtein offers a parallel to the stories of Jane Austen: strong female characters who try to find their own way in a world of delimiting social conventions. And as in the novels of the English writer, her movie makes room for gentle humor and loving understanding between the main characters.

Synopsis

A 50- year-old Giorgi lives in an old district of Tbilisi. His wife Nino has left for Greece 7 years ago in a search of an income for the family. Giorgi’s life has not change much. He is trying to kill his time in his own yard – friends, good Georgian feast and... waiting for a next parcel from Athens.

Biography

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia in 1982. Since 1990, he has lived and studied in New York. Later he graduated filmmaking at N.U.C.T film school of Cinecittà in Rome, Italy. Since then he has worked as an assistant director on various European projects.

Synopsis

The doctorlivesa doublelife. He is a married, older, and wealthy man.He has power and an impeccable reputation. Respected at the office as well as at home, where lives a luxurious life with a young wife. At the same time, the doctor is also is in close cooperation with government institutions and carries out their orders with mechanical precision.

Biography

Volker SCHREINER (1957, Germany) was educated at the art academy in Braunschweig and at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. He makes objects and sculptures and since 1988 has made videos and installations as well. His work is included in the collections of renowned museums and has been screened at film festivals worldwide.

Synopsis

Nam June Paik has a way with words (he coined the phrase “Information Superhighway”), and his text, “Film Scenario” is here transformed into a short film utilizing one word clips from iconic

Biography

Giorgi Kavtaradze was born in 1990, Tbilisi, Georgia. In 2009 he won admission to Shota Rustaveli Theater and Film Georgian State University (Class of Levan Kitia). Giorgi Kavtaradze shot 3 short films, currently he works on his Diploma.

Synopsis

The movie OUTSIDER tells about the year in life of one of the first Georgian alternative musician Robi Kukhianidze.

Biography

Born in 1991 in a quiet countryside of Switzerland, Matthias Staub discoversquickly a passion for painting and drawing, and more generally the image.He began to practice these disciplines, producing a series of painting as well as several short films. A few years later, he decides to start studying cinema at the HEAD in Geneva.

Synopsis

Three characters without past, melancholic and stubborn struggle with a cupboard in an endless desert. A mysterious wandering where they confront with themselves and with the world in an absurd and bright tale.

Biography

MURIEL D'ANSEMBOURG  studied Screenwriting in The Netherlands and graduated with distinction for a Masters in Directing in the UK at the London Film School. Her graduation film GOOD NIGHT received a British Academy Film Award nomination and is among the first batch of BAFTA shorts to receive a theatrical release within the UK.

Synopsis

Rachel and Chloe are done with being innocent 14-year-olds.They head into town on a secret night out,dressed way beyond their years and oozing a sexuality they barely own.

Biography

Omar Rabuñal Varela was born 34 years ago in A Coruña (Spain).
In 2002 obtains a bachelor's degree in Biology from the Faculty of ACoruña.Since 20 years shows a special interest in the film and begins recording shorts in Feáns, the village where he lives.
Is Senior Technical Realization of audiovisual and performances from School of Film and Sound of A Coruña.


Synopsis

A filmmaker dreams he is acting in a film where he is conscious

Biography

Ashley Michael Briggs’ career priority is his cinematography, shooting as a budding DoP. Underpinning this central métier, Ash is producing & directing unique projects that support & expand his cinematography, enabling a showcase of a purer & more rarefied aesthetic; “The Search For Inspiration Gone” represents stage one in this body of work.

Synopsis

A poet awakens within a strange garden in need of his notebook, pencil & inspiration. A divine couple, breakfasting, observe. A debate unfolds; would inspiration arise from help or hinder? Will the poet find his inspiration?

Biography

Film Maker. born 1977, Inverness. Studied at Glasgow School of Art & Goteborg School of Photography and Film, Sweden, 1998-2002. Lives and works in Glasgow.

Synopsis

A tribe of Norse warriors traipse across a barren land after battle. Bloodied and wounded, their chief is near death. He is about to hand over power to his son when an army of a completely different kind descends upon them.

Biography

Born in 1986 in Bern (Switzerland). After business school Oliver Schwarz internships at various film production companies. In 2008, he began his Bachelor's degree "Video" at the Lucerne University - Art and Design, which he successfully graduated in 2012 with the short film "Dream girl".

Synopsis

Dirk has spent half his life searching for his ideal woman. After a number of failed relationships and a persistent nervous breakdown he has finally found his great love: at first sight Jenny is the perfect partner, yet somehow completely different … With her he enters a world which is somewhere in between dream and reality. 

Biography

Graduated in ethnology and cultural anthropology from the University of Warsaw. He is studying film directing at the Polish National Film School in Łódź.

Synopsis

After an argument with her lover, a young woman recklessly gets into the car of a mysterious stranger. Their brief encounter will lead to mutual attraction, insight and fatal accomplishment, during a journey to the end of the night.

Biography

ŁukaszOstalskiwas born in Gdańsk, Poland. Political Science graduate at Gdansk University, Social Science Faculty. WFH Sopot Schools' of Photography Student. Award winner of press photography contests. In 2012 graduated from Directing Faculty at Gdynia School Film. "The Mother" is his diploma film.

Synopsis

Małgorzata - an important politician - is going to her home at the lake. Her son - a drug addict - needs her help. Małgorzata is asking her daughter for her support. At home they find Małgorzata's semiconscious son and a massacred body of a young girl. The mother has to make the most difficult decision in her life.

Biography

Curro Rodriguez Villalba is a Spanish filmmaker and musician. After 10 years of experience working in the Spanish TV and filming industry Curro moved to New York. Previously in Spain Curro shot music videos, shorts, documentaries and a tvprogramme most of them in video. Right now Curro is finishing the postproduction of a documentary and at the same time he is raising funds to produce his first feature script “Yellow”.

Synopsis

“No hair, no paranoia” is a comedy about three guys who live terrified of going bald. All of them go to therapy where Albert tries to help them to overcome their fears and getting a better self-esteem.
The therapy room is decorated with frames and posters of successful bald people like Sean Connery, Bruce Willis, Andre Agassi... 

Biography

The director Eero Lehtinen started his studies at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in 2011. He is a film and television student and his major is cinematography and editing. This is his directorial debut.

Synopsis

The town sheriff of Kälviä called Kummola has been escaping his duties for many years, but on the day of his retirement he learns firsthand the importance of his position and the reason why he must maintain law and order at all costs.

Biography

Ahmedov Fariz Asif - was born in December 15, 1983 in Baku. 2001-2005 year – Azerbaijan State University of Art and Culture, faculty of screenwriter. 2007-2010 - Rustam Ibragimbekov’s International Cinema School, faculty of producer. 2010– till now - The Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK), faculty of film director.  In 2009 participated  Berlinale Talant Campus.  

Synopsis

The time is stopped there. They use wood instead of gas, candle instead of electricity. People living there are aware about modern, comfortable life, they can go any time to change their way of life, but ... They love this land. Their youth, memories associated with this land. They decided to dissolve and melt their lives with the island.

SYNOPSIS

It's 3 A.M. A boy and a girl are wandering in the city. They are looking for a hospital to cure the girl but it is much harder than they thought.

Biography

Born in Ramat Hasharon and currently living in Tel Aviv. He is a student in the Film and Television Department of Tel Aviv University.

Synopsis

A young and shy orthodox Jew is waiting for her parents to take her to a Shidduch, the meeting to combine a marriage. In the meanwhile, she has a bizarre conversation with an Arab plumber through a closed door…

Biography

Ainur Ismailova was born in 1990 in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan. Graduated from the Kazakh National academy of Art with a specialty “directing of future films”.

Synopsis

A little boy is facing a test that does not belong to childhood - the death of his father. The philosophical question "What is God?" becomes central to the whole picture. Having lost the strong ties linking the hero with his father, he must continue to live. We are witnessing the first step of a little man into adulthood - the first pain, the first humiliation.

Biography

Mokhtar is a fashion and portrait photographer, specializing in male conceptual photography. Inspired at an early age by cinematography, Mokhtar's visual style possess a very personal take on color, light and emotions. He just graduated top of his class in filmmaking at Saint Joseph University - USJ. Currently he’s based in Beirut city.

Synopsis

Beirut 1963.  The city is preparing for the next election, and Toufik, a young photographer who just inherited his grandfather’s shop, finds his "Studio Beirut" threatened when the mayor of the neighborhood installs the city's first photobooth next door.

Biography

BasakBuyukcelen holds a Business Administration degree from Istanbul University and a film diploma from Vancouver Film School. Her first film, “Dilemma” won awards at film festivals.“TakeA Deep Breath” is her second short film. Basak participated in Berlinale Talent Campus, Locarno Summer Academy, Sarajevo Talent Campus, Puglia Experience, and she also is a PhD candidate in Cultural Studies at Nottingham Trent University, England.

Synopsis 

A father’s well-meaning concern about his teenage daughter’s possible sexual activity forever alters a family’s relationship.

Biography

Born in the city of Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo region, in 1981. In 1998, he graduated from high school №18 and went to graduate courses on "Public Relations." In 2000 he founded the studio experimental plastic theater "Luksorr." Until 2007 he was the director and producer.
In 2012, he graduated from St. Petersburg State University of Film and Television of producer of feature films specialty (Sergei Ovcharov’s workshop).

Leevandiaent.

Synopsis

Kate and Galya are two students of Chelyabinsk Institute of Culture. They are sent to an international festival with the choreographic performance. Girls believe that their modernistic dance will impress the audience and the jury. That means they will win a tour, and the world of high art ...

Biography 

Maryna Artemenko born in 1987 in Kiev. Graduated Kyiv international university in 2009, directing film and television. Since 2009 - students. I.K.Karpenko-Kariy Kyiv National University of theatre, cinema and television, specialty screenwriters. Workshop of Bogdan Zholdak.

Synopsis

Lesya fights against the society stereotypes. She starts dealing with her own body – trying to gain weight.

Biography

Nikon Romanchenko 21 years old.   Young, novice director, who graduated from the 4^th  class of faculty “TV directing” in 2013 and studying at Кyiv National University of Theatre, Cinema and Television.

Synopsis

Father and son who barely speak to each other, meet again. And this time their meeting becomes almost fatal. Son, never saying a word, lights fireworks as a single symbol of his existence.

Biography

DedokDimawas born in 1989. In 2010 he started study at Academy of Arts in Minsk. He shoot several short films - 2012-Solitude (2012), Otec (2012), Apsara (2013) ,cry when no one sees you (2013)

Synopsis

Oleg, main hero of film, decides suicide after her girlfriend has left him. His cousin Maxim tries to influence him with his perception of world through citations from novels of Guy de Maupassant “Solitude” but without success. Later we found out that Maxim in real life doesn’t fits the image of hero who he is citing from novel.

Biography

Tinatin Gurchiani was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, where she studied painting, dance, and psychology. After receiving her diploma with honors at the IvaneJavakhishvili Tbilisi State University, she pursued postgraduate study in psychology at Albert-Ludwigs University in Freiburg, Germany, and the University of Graz in Austria. She studied directing at the University of Film and Television Konrad Wolf (HFF) in Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany, and graduated with honors in 2010. In 2007, Gurchiani won the DAAD Award for artistic and social engagement in film. The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear is her first film.

Synopsis

A filmmaker puts out a casting call for young adults, aged 15- to 23. The director wants to make a film about growing up in her home country, Georgia, and find commonalities across social and ethnic lines. She travels through cities and villages interviewing the candidates who responded and filming their daily lives. The boys and girls who responded to the call are radically different from one another, as are their personal reasons for auditioning. Some want be movie stars and see the film as a means to that end; others want to tell their personal story. Together, their tales weave a kaleidoscopic tapestry of war and love, wealth and poverty, creating an extraordinarily complex vision of a modern society that still echoes with its Soviet past.

Biography

YeşimUstaoğlu (born, 1960, Çaykara, Turkey). After making several award-winning shorts, YesimUstaoglu made her feature film debut in 1994 with The Trace. She received international recognition for her film, Journey to the Sun. In competition at the Berlin IFF in 1999, it received the Blue Angel Award (Best European Film) and the Peace Prize and other prizes at Istanbul IFF. Her third film, Waiting for the Clouds, was awarded NHK Sundance - International Filmmaker's Award.

Synopsis

Near a lonely highway pretty Zehra and handsome Olgun spend most of their youth working in a service station cafeteria with monotonous work shifts, broken up only by sparks of naive expectations of a brighter future. The once important industrial area is now a faceless place of economic waste and unemployment. This has caused most of the area's occupants to escape to the big cities. But Zehra, Olgun and their friends still remain, caught somewhere in between the past and an uncertain future, with dreams and hopes. An older truck driver named Mahur fascinates Zehra, though this turns into a tragic first love. Olgun, still a young man, will experience a bittersweet rite of passage, leading to both suffering and awakening. But as Zehra and Olgun say goodbye to their childhood innocence, love and hope will help them to move forward.

Biography

Graduated from the Film School in Lodz. In the late 70`s Andrzej Wajda's assistant. Initially he worked as a reporter and a film critic. The author of three books and more than 20 screenplays. In 1981 he made his first full-length feature film, which was banned by communist censorship for seven years. The same happened to his next three films and a theatrical work. The only film director who received the Prize of the John Paul II Foundation (for humanistic values of his works). In 1987-1990 and 1993-1996 a vice-president of the Polish Filmmakers Association.

Synopsis

Oliver (Pawel Szajda “Under the Tuscan Sun”) a young, outstanding American pianist having breached his European tour contract has to return €250,000 to the organizers. On his path he encounters in Poland an unusually vibrant character Frank (Janusz Gajos) – an old age pensioner who gambles at horse races. From this moment on they pursue this goal together discovering real friendship and making their dreams about a great winning and personal freedom come alive. But prof. Karloff (Wojciech Pszoniak), a famous pianist and influential man, cannot agree with that. He puts devil's proposition to Oliver.

A touching story about friendship, passion, love and the force that drives us to the fulfillment of dreams.

Biography

Born in 1970 in Kobuleti, Georgia. Education: Batumi State University, department of History and Philology (1993); Higher Film Directing Courses, Georgian State University of Theatre and Film (2001).

Synopsis

Story takes place at a modern office. Film plot describes one day from the main character’s life.

Biography

Prominent Georgian filmmaker Merab Kokochashvili comes from the generation of film directors that revitalized Georgian film during the 60s. His film The Green Valley (1967), now a classic and still considered by many critics as the best example of Georgian sound film, was named among the Hundred Innovative Films of the Century at Italian Pesaro Film Festival. Having directed more than 20 films, Kokochashvili has enjoyed international acclaim and has received some of Georgia’s highest honors. He lives in Tbilisi and delivers lectures at several universities.

Synopsis

Jemal Bagashvili is on a quest to experience viticulture and rituals in Caucasus, the region regarded as birthplace of winemaking. Through his journey to vineyards, research centers, archeological sites, feasts and parties, he meets toastsmasters, Tamada, touches ancient wine jars still keeping dry sediments of wine, and becomes a part of the divine rituals kept alive for eight millennia.

Biography

Born on January 3, 1969 in Tbilisi. In 1993, he graduated from the Tbilisi Theater Univesity – cinematography faculty ( Mr Paatashvili studio) . The film is "AraMegobaro" is his directorial debut. GioMgeladzereceived awards at several festivals - Grand prize and Protestant Jury prize at Oberhausen Short Film Festival (Germany , 1993 ); International Film Festival " molodist " (Kiev , 1993 ), special diplomasat various  Festivals ( 1993 , 1997 , 1998) . He shoot several films - " seven days in Tibet " ( 2000). , " Ms. Queen" ( 2002). , " My Airplane " ( 2005. ), " Of a Love Story" (2010 sec. - Film  shoot by 13 director s). Gio Mgeladze is author of novels, short stories, film-scripts and plays published in various magazines and newspapers (Georgia, U.S. , in )

Synopsis

Love story with love, erotic, betrayal, romance, cruelty … told in unusual manner during 10 minutes. 

Biography

Born on January 3, 1969 in Tbilisi. In 1993, he graduated from the Tbilisi Theater Univesity – cinematography faculty ( Mr Paatashvili studio) . The film is "AraMegobaro" is his directorial debut. GioMgeladzereceived awards at several festivals - Grand prize and Protestant Jury prize at Oberhausen Short Film Festival (Germany , 1993 ); International Film Festival " molodist " (Kiev , 1993 ), special diplomasat various  Festivals ( 1993 , 1997 , 1998) . He shoot several films - " seven days in Tibet " ( 2000). , " Ms. Queen" ( 2002). , " My Airplane " ( 2005. ), " Of a Love Story" (2010 sec. - Film  shoot by 13 director s) . Gio Mgeladze is author of novels, short stories, film-scripts and plays published in various magazines and newspapers (Georgia, U.S. , in )

Synopsis

Young man trapped in fuzzy relations, unhappy with his own life decides to end contact with Criminal world. He throws gun into the river, but at this time he becomes a victim of a “blind” bullet. He continues relations with his friend – a girl, in different reality. 

Biography

Born in Boston in 1942, he graduated from Harvard in 1964. After university, he worked as a production and tour manager for George Wein in Europe where he traveled with Muddy Waters, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz and others; and at Newport where he supervised Bob Dylan’s electric debut. In 1966, he opened UFO, London’s psychedelic ballroom.

His first record production was four tracks by “Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse” for Elektra in 1966. He went on to produce Pink Floyd, Nick Drake, The Incredible String Band, Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny, Richard & Linda Thompson, Maria Muldaur, Toots and the Maytals, REM, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, 10,000 Maniacs, Billy Bragg, Cubanismo, TajMahal and many others. 

As head of music for Warner Brothers Films, he organized the scoring of Deliverance, Clockwork Orange and McCabe and Mrs Miller and made Jimi Hendrix, a feature-length documentary. He later went into partnership with Don Simpson to develop film projects. He helped set up Lorne Michaels’ “Broadway Pictures” in 1979-1980, then started Hannibal Records, which he ran for 20 years.

In 2006, Joe published a memoir "White Bicycles: Making Music in the Sixties". It received high critical praise and has sold 75,000 copies world wide and has been translated into 6 languages. He has toured widely in the UK and US with Robyn Hitchcock in the show "Live and Direct from the 1960s" in which he reads and talks and Robyn sings the appropriate songs. He has also produced concerts in celebration of Nick Drake, Kate McGarrigle, Syd Barrett, Fairport Convention and the Incredible String Band.

Synopsis

1973 Joe Boyd biography of Jimi Hendrix has long been considered one of the defining posthumous statements of the legendary artist's magnificent career. This insightful documentary presents numerous interviews with Jimi Hendrix plus several of his contemporaries, friends and family members including Pete Townshend, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Little Richard, Lou Reed and his father James "Al" Hendrix. Interview footage is interspersed with live performance footage from Monterey Pop, Woodstock, Atlanta Pop Festival, Marquee club, Isle Of Wight Festival and many other concert appearances.

Biography

Legendary filmmaker, author, lover of some of the world’s great beauties, and falconer to Arab princes, Peter Whitehead was at the heart of Swinging London and the counter culture of the 1960s. He filmed the

Rolling Stones in drag, Allen Ginsberg at the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s protest against the Vietnam war, the Presidential campaign of Robert Kennedy, and the students of New York’s Columbia University occupying their campus. Taken together, Whitehead’s films – many of which are directly related to the United States (the Beat poets, Vietnam, student protest) – stand as an unrivaleddocument of the era.

Synopsis

This 1967 documentary of the London scene in the swinging-60's is a visual treat for Mod enthusiasts everywhere. Featuring a who's-who of the scene, Tonight Let's All Make Love In London is a visual patchwork of 60's culture, seen through the eyes of the people leading it. Mick Jagger, Michael Caine, Vanessa Redgrave, Allen Ginsberg, and Julie Christie are all here, alongside counter-culture artists and other musicians who helped shape their generation and future ones to come. Most of the musical content comes in the form of extremely rare concert footage and inside studio recording sessions, while other segments include candid interviews, strange political demonstration footage, and even a segment on the radical art of body painting! Yes, politics and sex are on the palette here as well as a psychedelic soundtrack from a very young Pink Floyd.

Biography

Jenya Gorin born March 13, 1965 in Kaluga, Russia. After graduating from high school he went travelling around the world. In some cities he established cultural and philosophical communities. Gorin attended film directing classes in Moscow’s famous VGIK and classes on psychoanalysis in Berlin University as an auditor. In recent years he’s been giving classes on phycology and psychoanalysis in universities around the world. Gorin is an ideologist and a producer of various bands (Pinball, The Postman of Nobel, Tadzio). Film “40000 minutes in red” was his directorial debutt, followed by “Let’s Dream of Nature” (Improvised choreography, spontaneous dance moves, freedom of gestures are combined with the music by Nino Katamadze & Insight.Dreams Of Music Teacher is his last film.

Synopis

Dreams of Music Teacher is based on one of the biggest Russian music festival “World of Guitar” which is held annually in Kaluga (Russia) already for 15 years… This is first attempt to show documentary film about music festival as a psychedelic saga … Kind of dream of festival founder and organizer, teacher of music Oleg Akimov … Allegories, allusions ... InterviewswithKingCrimson, PacoDeLucia, JohnMcLaughlin, DominiqueMiller… FlamencoandTango … Music, thoughts …Creative part of film was shoot in Batumi

Biography

PAOLO SORRENTINO made his debut with a long feature withOne Man Up in 2001. He achieved international recognition in 2004 for his stylish thriller, The Consequences of Love, which took part in the official competition of the 2004 Cannes IFF. Toni Servillo, the lead actor of the film, appears again in Sorrentino's Il Divo (2008), the Prix du Jury at Cannes Film Festival, a dramatised biopic of Giulio Andreotti, the controversial Italian politician. Toni Servillo also plays the lead role inThe Great Beauty, which took part at the official competition of the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

Synopsis

Aristocratic ladies, social climbers, politicians, high-flying criminals, journalists, actors, decadent nobles, prelates, artists and intellectuals - whether authentic or presumed - form the tissue of these flaky relationships, all engulfed in a desperate Babylon which plays out in the antique palaces, immense villas and most beautiful terraces in the city. Jep Gambardella, 65, indolent and disenchanted, his eyes permanently imbued with gin and tonic, watches this parade of hollow, doomed, powerful yet depressed humanity. And in the background, Rome in summer. Splendid and indifferent, like a dead diva?

Biography

Jos Stelling (1945, Utrecht) developed a great passion for film during his youth, spent at a Catholic boarding school, where French-speaking Wallonian monks analysed cinema classics as part of the curriculum. His debut film, MARIKEN VAN NIEUMEGHEN, appeared in 1974 (based on a medieval miracle play). The film was selected for the competition at the Cannes film festival.

In 1981, he launched the film festival "The Dutch Film Days," of which he was chair and (once) director until 1991. Now known as the "Netherlands Film Festival" (NFF) it is today one of the largest film events in the Netherlands.

Jos Stelling has won many awards for his films and his oeuvre at film festivals in the Netherlands and internationally (including four Golden Calves, A Rose d'Or, two Golden Gryphons, etc.). He is also frequently asked to sit on juries (or chair them). He has received many honors for his contributions to filmmaking, including in Utrecht, St. Petersburg, Riga, Gyor (Hungary), Batumi (Georgia), Setúbal (Portugal), Prague (Czech film Clubs), Yerevan, Zerkalo (Russia), Amersfoort and Maine (USA). He was the "patron" of Cinedays (2003), a European cinema project in London, Brussels and Rome. In 2010, he was awarded the honorary title "Professor" at the Armenian University and a cinema has been named after him in the Ukraine.

Synopsis

The Girl and Death tells the timeless story about love and death. About the Russian doctor Nicolai who returns to the old hotel/brothel where he has once met the courtesan Elise. He relives his love history and past and present coincide.

Biography

Kim Ki-duk (b. 1960, Bonghwa, South Korea) came to film direction relatively late, after turning 30. But only in the mid-1990s did he begin to make a name for himself as a controversial creator of unusual stories combining dark melancholy and brutality with erotic extremes. He became the best-known South Korean director thanks in part to his intense professional commitment: he regularly shot one film per year and his pictures have been shown to success at the world’s most prestigious festivals. At the 37th Karlovy Vary IFF he was the subject of a retrospective profile. Selected filmography: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003), 3-Iron (2004), The Bow (2005), Time (2006), Breath (2007). His latest film Arirang  shared the Prize of Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section with Andreas Dresen’s Stopped on Track.

Synopsis

PIETA, the story of a man working as a loan shark who threatens and cripples those who can't make their payments. One day a woman appears on his doorstep claiming to be the mother who abandoned him as a baby. At first he rejects her, but then he gradually accepts her into his life, eventually quitting his job in an attempt to spend his days recapturing the time lost with her. When she is kidnapped, he must track down the culprit, revisiting all those he had hurt in the past, only to discover his mother is harboring a dark secret of her own.

Biography

Wong Kar-wai (b. 1958, Shanghai) has built up a reputation over the past two decades as a distinctive filmmaker with an idiosyncratic modern style and artistic sensibility whose films always garner attention at international festivals. This description can be applied to his directorial debut as well, the gangster drama As Tears Go By (Wong gokka moon, 1988). His other award-winning films includeDays of Being Wild (A Feijingjuen, 1990), the historical drama Ashes of Time(Dung chesaiduk, 1994), the cult romance Chungking Express (Chonqingsenlin, 1994), the crime story Fallen Angels (Duo luotianshi, 1995), the love story Happy Together (Chung gwong cha sit, 1997 – Best Director at Cannes), the nostalgic romance In the Mood for Love (Dutyeungninwa, 2000), the sci-fi movie 2046(2004 – European Film Award), the omnibus film Eros (2004), and the romantic comedy My Blueberry Nights (2007).

Synopsis 

In the hands of Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, legendary Chinese martial arts master Yip Man (1893-1972) is transformed into a person whose life and actions express the philosophy and pure physical elegance of kung fu. Although the film focuses on Yip Man’s life during the period 1930 to 1952, it does not limit itself to its main protagonist but also looks at other kung fu grandmasters of the era, including their relationships, loves and conflicts. In this visually opulent film, Wong Kar-wai tells the story of the lost world of the last grandmasters, combining painstakingly rendered elements of classic kung fu movies with the poetic art-house style typical of his previous works. 

Biography

KIRA MURATOVA is a Ukrainian film director, screenwriter and actress. She studied Philology at the Moscow State University, then graduated from the directing department of the VGIK. Muratova won the Silver Bear in 1990 at the BerlinaleforThe Asthenic Syndrome. Her filmAmong Grey Stones was screened in the “Un Certain Regard” section at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival. Her films received Russian national “Nika” prize in 1991, 1995, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2013.

Synopsis

At the heart of this story there are Him and Her, two former schoolmates who haven’t crossed paths for a long time. One day, he arrives into Her town and right away, from the threshold, to ask her advice about a mess he’s got into: he’s sincerely in love with two women at once...

Biography

Andrzej Wajda, born 1926, is one of the world's most renowned film directors. His critically acclaimed body of work encompasses almost 6 decades of moviemaking and has often been recognized as iconic and quintessential to Polish cinema. Screenwriter, painter, theater and television director, author, teacher, and Senator. He received many the highest European and Japanese orders of state and hundreds of festival awards; has been nominated four times for the Oscar for Best Foreign Film (Promised Land, Maids of Wilko, Man of Iron, and Katyń). Lifetime Achievement Awards he received: 1990 – Felix European Film Award, 1998 – Golden Lion, Venice IFF, 2000 - Honorary Oscar® American Film Academy, 2006 - Honorary Golden Bear, 56th Berlinale, 2008 – BIAFF festival, 2013 - Persol Award, Venice IFF. Doctor honoris causa of many European and American universities; 1994 - member of French Academie des Beaux-Arts.

Wajda has made over 50 films. He began his film career as an assistant to Aleksander Ford on Five from Barska Street / Piątka z ulicy Barskiej (1954). After making several documentaries, Wajda went on to establish his directing career with "wartime" trilogy, A Generation (1955), Kanał (1957), and Ashes and Diamonds (1958), which earned him international recognition as the founder of the Polish Film School. Wajda's visually mesmerizing adaptations of Polish nineteenth- and twentieth-century classics like Ashes (1965), The Wedding (1973), and most notably, The Promised Land (1975;) rendered them relevant for a new era. On the other hand, his Innocent Sorcerers (1960) or Everything for Sale (1968; the Polish 8 ½) represented yet another trait: a influence of European New Wave.

The 1970s were particularly fruitful for Wajda, who has made over ten films, including Rough Treatment (1978), and the "Solidarity trilogy," Man of Marble (1977), Man of Iron (1981, Golden Palm Cannes IFF 1981) and now Wałęsa. Man of Hope (2013) /Georgian première, BIAFF 2013; previously   premières in Batumi Katyń (2008) - about the 1940 Katyn massacre by Soviets authorities and Sweet Rush (2009) - incisive contemporary studies of moral ambiguity and poignant commentaries on the Communist regime. 

Synopsis

Wajda, intruding into a private, even intimate sphere of the Solidarność trade union’s leader Lech Wałęsa, attempts to capture the phenomenon of this incredible metamorphosis: from a simple worker, focused on his day-to-day duties, into a charismatic leader (1983 Nobel Peace Prize winner). This controversial persona, himself not without flaws, helped millions set free their dreams of freedom they’d been hiding deep in their hearts, setting the stage for transformations beyond anyone’s imagination at the time.

This historical perspective, combined with a dynamic story of daily life in the Polish People’s Republic (1969-1989), should help comprehend the phenomenon of those transformations. The film is mainly addressed to young people, at the same time constituting a reminder of an outstanding filmmaker. Sometimes you must fight for freedom, sometimes you must defend it, there are, however, no circumstances which could excuse you from contemplating our freedom.

Biography

Born on March 29, 1961 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, Winterbottom attended Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School before moving on to study English at Oxford University. Following his graduation from Oxford, he began studying film in Bristol and London, after which he landed his first industry job in the cutting room at Thames Television.

Michael Winterbottom’s cinematic debut Butterfly Kiss firmly established his intense visual sense, naturalistic style and compelling use of pop songs to reinforce narrative. Three of his films — Welcome to Sarajevo, Wonderland and 24 Hour Party People — have been nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes IFF. His film In This World won him the Golden Bear and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the Berlin IFF and the BAFTA Award, and his docu-drama The Road to Guantanamo brought him the Silver Bear at the Berlin IFF.

Synopsis

Welcome to the scandalous world of Paul Raymond, entrepreneur, impresario, and the “king of Soho.” Seeing mediocrity in the smutty sex parlors of London, Raymond unveils his first “gentlemen’s club” in 1958 and gradually builds an empire of clubs and erotic magazines that brings him vast wealth while affronting British sexual mores. It also brings a litany of obscenity charges, a failed marriage, troubled children, and personal tragedy.

Biography

Having studied fine art at the Bournemouth Arts institute, Jules Bishop continued to the London Film School, thanks to the Charles Cooper Scholarship, where he wrote and directed five short films. Since graduating he has been working on a varied slate of original feature scripts, alongside painted illustrations, animations and photographs. Since 2008, Jules has been working with producer Olivier Kaempfer and Parkville Pictures developing a number of projects, Borrowed Time being the first of these to go into production.

Synopsis

Borrowed TIme tells the story of two totally contrasting figures who come together in the most hostile of circumstances, only to form an unlikely bond that will help them both find a way out of their respective troubles. It is a bittersweet comedy about growing up and rediscovering youth in parallel, united by the subconscious desire to seek out the missing elements in their lives.

Biography

Director JesBenstock has been successfully directing highly acclaimed, award winning and innovative short films for over 10 years. Jes started acting while still at school and went on to establish award-winning Edinburgh based comedy theatre group, The Merry Mac Fun Show. His natural theatrical sensibility and gentle humour has imbued his directorial work, often tackling difficult subjects with a light touch.

He has directed internationally recognised documentaries, short fiction and music promos. Award winning films include The Box (with Tilda Swinton), Orders of Love supported by the Film London Pulse Scheme, Holocaust Tourist and Poof. Most recent works include animated documentary The Man with the Extended Mind for ITV, and Tagger, a short sci-fi collaboration with Mike Figgis for the 50th Anniversary of the London Film Festival.

Synopsis

British artist and living legend Andrew Logan, loved the world over by celebrities and misfits alike, takes us under his glittering wing and inside his outrageous, anarchic and spectacular costume pageant: the Alternative Miss World Show.

As the Show’s master of ceremonies and ringmaster, Logan is the high priest of an esteemed congregation. Artist, David Hockney judged the first one, musician David Bowie couldn’t get into the second, film director Derek Jarman won the third and fashionistaZandra Rhodes designs Andrew’s hostess costume. Other patrons include Mary Quant, Biba, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Brain Eno, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Divine and John Waters, Elton John, Larry Hagman, the Queen Mum and Tony Blair. He describes the Show as his most important artwork – a fabulous living sculpture that spans 40 years of arts and culture.

Biography

Yorgos Zois was born in Athens. His first short film, CASUS BELLI, premiered in Venice in 2010 and participated in the international competition of the most important film festivals world-wide, winning several first awards. It was theatrically distributed in Greece and France and was broadcast by several TV stations around the globe. His second short film, TITLOI TELOUS (Out of Frame), premiered at Venice IFF 2012.

Synopsis

Advertising on exterior billboards has recently been forbidden in Greece. As a result there are hundreds of blank billboards that don’t show any messages. But the empty frames are now the message. And we are out of frame.

Biography

Born in 1972 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Tudor Giurgiu is a member of the European Film Academy, founder and President of the Transylvania IFF and the Full Moon – Horror & Fantasy FF and initiator of the Gopo Awards – Romania’s national film awards. He is founder of the production company Libra Film, the film distribution company Transilvania Film etc. Tudor was involved as main producer in KATALIN VARGA by Peter Strickland (awarded with a Silver Bear at the 2009 Berlin IFF and as European Discovery at the European Film Awards), MISSION OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER by EranRiklis and CENDRES ET SANG by Fanny Ardant. His second feature, OF SNAILS AND MEN, is a local box-office hit in Romania.

Synopsis

Aron, a 5- year-old boy, sets together with his worried father on a journey at the end of which he wishes, like the superheroes in the comic books, to save his mother suffering from a heart condition. 

Biography

Jan Czarlewski was born in Paris in 1988 to Polish parents and grew up imbued with both cultures. He graduated in film and television from the Sorbonne Nouvelle in 2009. He is currently studying at the ECAL/Ecolecantonale d’art de Lausanne in the film department.

SYNOPSIS

His Excellency, the plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Belgian Crown sacrificed his entire life for his country. His dedication came with a price; he never really had time for me, his son.

In admiration, I always longed to be like him. However, I feel like I am quite the opposite. I thus, decide to come to Brussels to try to make up for lost time.

Biography

Pauline Gay was born in October 1982. After graduating from the University Paris VIII, she studied in La fémis. Afterwards, she studied at Calarts (California Institute of the Arts) in 2011. She is from a working class and likes to explore different family backgrounds. Demain ça sera bien is her graduation film.

Synopsis

Portrait of two lost girls…

Biography

Darren founded Calipo Theatre and Picture Company in 1994 and has been Artistic Director since then. He co-wrote and directed LOVE IS THE DRUG, a six part TV drama series for RTE in 2004. His short film Frankie has screened at over 50 festivals worldwide, and has won multiple awards including the European Academy Award for Best Short in 2008 in Copenhagen. Darren will soon direct his first feature film 10 Dates with Mad Mary, co-written with Colin Thornton, and produced by Element Films.

Synopsis

Lorna has worked hard to stay on the right track. But when a man from her past is released from prison, her emotions spiral out of control, and she finds herself inextricably drawn back to a life, and a love, that’s forbidden. 

Biography

Justine Triet graduated from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts in Paris. She has directed several documentary films on video, examining the place of the individual within a group: Sur Place (2007), shot during student demonstrations, Solférino (2008), shot during the presidential elections. Her films have been presented at the Pompidou Centre, the Lyon Biennial of Contemporary Art and the Musée des Beaux Arts in Paris. Two Ships is her first short fiction film.

Synopsis

Life in the big city. Thomas is a young artist, broke and unattached. Laetitia is an attractive, intelligent young woman in high heels. A party. A dance. An invitation. The pair spends the night together – Vacillating between hospital and bed, between light-heartedness and high drama. They are the bright Stars that give paintings depth

Biography 

Born in Northern Ireland in 1985, Michael recently graduated in Directing at the National Film and Television School in London. He has directed several shorts which have screened at many international film festivals and has recently won Best Short Film at the Royal Society of Film and Television Awards. 

Synopsis

BACK OF BEYOND is a dark psychological thriller centering on Petesy who works in a petrol station in the arsehole of nowhere. Petesy gets travelers of all sorts but today a young fella called Gabriel stops at the station to gather up supplies for a long road trip and he claims that there’s a rifle aimed to blow Petesy’s head off if he doesn’t gives supply for free.

Biography 

Graduated from the Hungarian University of Fine Arts in the Intermedia department.His first feature film Pánik (Panic) premiered in 2008 at the Hungarian Film Week where it was recognized in a number of categories. Aside from his film work, he is one of the most recognized TV personalities in Hungary. In recent years, he has helped create numerous innovative cultural programs as well as hosting high-profile TV shows.

Synopsis

István Balogh, a not very affluent Hungarian farmer, lords over his wife, children and his “hired” slave. Cut off from the rest of the world on a distant farm in the Great Plains, he tries to uphold a family ideal he formulated from rigid traditions. 

Biography 

Elina Talvensaari began her studies with anthropology and sociology at Helsinki University. While finishing her Master's Degree she switched to film studies, majoring in documentary directing. How to pick berries is her film for Bachelor's Degree at Aalto University, Helsinki.

SYNOPSIS  

Visitors from a distant place appear in the misty swamps of Northern Finland. The locals grow restless - things are changing, secret berry spots are revealed and everything is getting uncomfortable. Who is to blame and who is profiting from all this? How to Pick Berries is an exploration of Finnish mind and the absurdities of global economy.

Biography 

João Pedro Rodrigues was born in Lisbon in 1966. After studying biology at Lisbon University he attended the Lisbon Film School, where he obtained his diploma. His film career began with the short PARABÉNS! which won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice IFF 1997. In 2000, he directed his first fiction feature, O FANTASMA, which was screened in competition at the 57th Venice IFF. His 2005 feature ODETE won several awards, among them a Special Mention at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes.

Synopsis

Tradition says that on 13 June, Saint Anthony’s Day (the national holiday of Lisbon’s patron), lovers must offer small vases of basil with paper carnations and flags with popular poems as a token of their love.

Kaspar Jancis 

Born on 8 May 1975 in Tallinn, Kaspar Jancis has been interested since childhood in drawing comic strips and illustrations for his own stories. He has been part of the creative core of several rock groups, writing song lyrics, making arrangements and creating tunes. He enrolled at the Tallinn Pedagogical University in 1996 and completed his first films there: the silent film DR. MAISARVE AND THE MATSHALKA CASE (1996) and the cutout puppet film FLIGHT OF THE LITTLE WHITE HELICOPTER (1996) which was screened at rock concerts and also on television. He transferred to the Turku Arts and Media School in Finland in 1997 to study animation under the guidance of Priit Pärn.

Vladimir Leschiov

Born in 1970 in Daugavpils, Latvia, Vladimir Leschiov gained artistic experience in early childhood creating drawings and paintings on the walls and corners of his parents’ house. The artist, animator, film director and producer founded the LUNOHOD Animation Studio in 2007.

Synopsis

A man has nothing to lose except his dream. To make his dream come true the man embarks on a dangerous journey. But his destination is not what it seems.

Biography 

Born in 1977 in Graz, Austria, Albert Sackl studied philosophy and art history at the University of Vienna (1995-1997) and fine arts at the Städelschule Frankfurt (film class with Peter Kubelka, 1997-2000). He taught at the School for Independent Film, Vienna (2007-2010) and studied fine arts at the Academy for fine Arts in Vienna (class with Heimo Zobernig, 2007-2011).

Synopsis

The title In the Open should be taken literally as the camera turns to details of a meager and untouched landscape, which serves as projection surface for exploring the cinematic apparatus, and (de)constructing cinematic space, time, and movement. The human, a foreign body in this place, seeks a relationship to the landscape and the camera. 

Biography

L. Rezan Yeşilbaş completed his BA at Istanbul Marmara University (cinema and TV department) in 2008. He wrote and directed his debut short film HÜKÜM (The Judgement) in 2008. The film competed at various international film festivals and won the Audience Award at the Boston FF. L. Rezan Yeşilbaş also worked as executive producer and first assistant director on various films in Turkey. L. Rezan Yeşilbaş won the Palme d’or for SESSIZ/BÉ DENG at the Cannes IFF short film competition 2012.

Synopsis

The year is 1984. Zeynep, who lives in Diyarbakir with her three children, wants to visit her husband in prison. Zeynep is only able to speak her mother tongue 'Kurdish'; however, only the Turkish language is allowed to be spoken in prison, so she's unable to utter a word there. On the other hand, she wants to bring a new pair of shoes to her husband but it's forbidden to bring anything to prisoners from outside...