Ábreme

Mala Noche(en)

Walt is a lonely convenience store clerk who has fallen in love with a Mexican migrant worker named Johnny. Though Walt has little in common with the object of his affections — including a shared language — his desire to possess Johnny prompts a sexual awakening that results in taboo trysts and a tangled love triangle.

Parrot(en)

This 3-minute short film by Iain Delavan was created at a dark time in his life. In his usual abstract and expressive style, Delavan depicts an unsettling scene of a character committing self-harm, set against the backdrop of an interpolation of Lizzy McAlpine's 'doomsday'.

Short Sharp Shock(de)

Gabriel, Bobby and Costa are old friends from Altona, a multicultural hood in Hamburg. Just out of prison, Gabriel wants to turn his back on crime, but the others continue to operate as petty criminals. Friendships are tested as the trio navigate a dark world of mafia bosses and deals gone wrong.

Ghettokids - Brüder ohne Heimat(de)

Two trouble-causing brothers, who in the second generation after World War II Germany live, are in the center of this German made for TV movie. The movie makes a subject out of their everyday lives and the helpless attempt for them to build a normal life.

The Empty Box(es)

Jazmín, a young woman living in Mexico City, is nonplussed when she receives a call informing her that her father Toussaint, an illegal Haitian immigrant, is ill. She hasn't seen him in years, and does not know why they are calling her. When she finally gets to the hospital and discovers that her father is suffering from vascular dementia, she finds herself faced with the task of caring for a man who is more a stranger than a father to her.

Watchtower(en)

When Freddie hits rock bottom Lily offers a way out. Freddie must overcome his demons and allow Lily's love to be his source of strength, or lose the life they share forever.

Listen(en)

A group of conflicted youths and adults struggling for personal connections are united by self-destruction, tragedy and redemption.

Summer(fr)

It is summer and it is hot. Ice cream drips from its cone, a father photographs his child. Then a man suddenly arrests his focus. Inspired by a picture from photographer Juan Medina, taken on the beach of Gran Tarajal in Spain in 2006, director Ronny Trocker animates a situation that happened today as it did yesterday, with the difference that today, no one moves. Time is frozen. A black man lies exhausted on the shore. It seems that no one has noticed his arrival.

The Fortunate Ones(pt)

Algarve, late 90s. Following the death of her grandmother, Milene - a strong young woman full of life despite a slight mental handicap - divides her life between her family of notables and a Cape Verdean family that keeps her going, whom she met when her grandmother died. The wind that whistles in the cranes plunges us into the world of two families against the backdrop of Portugal's recent past.

Screen Test(en)

In order to prepare himself for rejection, Mark Cronin makes a film documenting all the possible ways he can get rejected by his crush. Along the way, he gets help from his friends and fellow classmates. While this is happening, he struggles with his anxiety and confidence that is being destroyed by his OCD.

When Will It All End(en)

"Beginnings are rare and fleeting. All we are left with in life is a long and unavoidable journey to the end. Describe the burdens you carry with you on this journey." I sent the above prompt to friends and colleagues and asked for any artistic response. I received numerous poems, songs, short stories, etc. I took all of the responses and stitched together the verses, stories, and emotions into a narrative following the protagonist through a day in his life. My goal was to give a snapshot of the mental health of those around me and remind everyone that they are not alone in their sadness.

The Fall(en)

Tom has faced many rivals in his ten-year career as a jump Jockey. Some have been faster, stronger, younger, wiser; but now he faces a different rival. A silent and anonymous opponent who is struggling to understand. The narrative is centred around the aftermath of a fall at the last fence of a race, where the horse (Habitare) would have passed the winning line in front had it not been for the fall. This film aims to show the lonelier, darker side to horse racing; the brave face that must be put on and not show weakness.

The Phone Call(en)

Heather is a shy lady who works in a helpline call centre. When she receives a phone call from a mystery man, she has no idea that the encounter will change her life forever.

Nmout Alik(es)

Ilyas and Brahim work at a television repair shop. When the end of the day arrives, his boss sends them to bring a television to a costumer on the other side of Barcelona, hours before the much-anticipated FC Barcelona's UEFA Champions League final, endangering their friendship and their job in order to get to see the game.

Anushan(fr)

The Projectionist(en)

Set in the most easterly town in England, Lowestoft, a young Projectionist (Andrew Hooper) must overcome grief and barriers created from his Mother's untimely death, and become the filmmaker she wanted to him to be.

Fearless(en)

After a terrible air disaster, survivor Max Klein emerges a changed person. Unable to connect to his former life or to wife Laura, he feels godlike and invulnerable. When psychologist Bill Perlman is unable to help Max, he has Max meet another survivor, Carla Rodrigo, who is wracked with grief and guilt since her baby died in the crash which she and Max survived.

In America(en)

A family of Irish immigrants adjusts to life on the mean streets of Hell's Kitchen while also grieving the death of a child.

Barely Recognizable(en)

A movie musical about eating disorder recovery and overcoming perceptions of perfection. It follows the first couple of weeks of college for Gracie, a young woman who has (mostly) recovered from an eating disorder. As she attempts to forge a new identity on campus, her new surroundings and the challenges associated with her transition to college life cause the recovery to teeter. With the help of Isa, a drop-dead gorgeous sophomore beauty queen, Gracie ultimately discovers that recovery is not linear, but rather, takes several twists and turns along the way.

When will you return?(es)

"When will you return?" tells the story of a grandmother (Doña Conchita) who is taking care of her grandson (Tomás) after her son (José) went to the United States in search of the American dream. However, José is part of the group of migrants who disappeared and were never heard from again. That is why Doña Conchita tries to hide the truth from Tomás, who still has hope of being able to see his father again. It is a story full of memories and emotions, which takes us to one of the most remote and beautiful unknown places of Mexico.