Sharvi M DCP, 102' (India) 2024
Better Tomorrow explores the issue of party drugs among young people, examining how substance abuse can negatively impact careers and personal lives, while highlighting the pain and grief that accompany a life marked by addiction. At the same time, the film celebrates the triumph of the human spirit.
Sharvi M is a director, screenwriter, and producer with a long career in Indian cinema. From 1990 to 1999, he worked as an assistant director, collaborating with renowned filmmakers such as Iqbal Durrani, IV Sasi, PG Vishvambharan, and KS Ravikumar.
Since 1999, he has directed numerous films in various languages, including:
🎬 Gandhiyan (Malayalam)
🎬 Campus (Tamil)
🎬 Spiderman (Malayalam)
🎬 Aadma Kali (Telugu)
🎬 Mr Bean (Malayalam)
His recent works include:
🎬 Do Over (Tamil, 2022)
🎬 Better Tomorrow (Tamil, 2024)
BETTER TOMORROW
Nicole Latisha Howard DCP, 91' (USA) 2023
Noelle is a woman called from a young age to a special destiny. Through seasons of abandonment, betrayal, infidelity, humiliation, and spiritual wounds, she endures a period of crushing hardship that ultimately leads her to her true purpose: becoming a guide and an example for other women, helping them achieve their full divine potential.
Lady Nicole Howard is an author, director, and project coordinator with a passion for women’s empowerment. Born and raised on the East Coast of the United States, Nicole has dedicated her life to inspiring women to reach their full divine potential. Saved and active in church life from a young age, she has been a member of various ministries and played a key role as a former First Lady of a historic church, organizing community initiatives and women’s ministry events.
CHOSEN
Michael Baez DCP, 128' (USA) 2024
Yoli De La Cruz, a 17-year-old high school student, seeks revenge after being assaulted by the son of a corrupt police captain. With the help of Lobo, a former fighter turned MMA coach, Yoli trains for the ultimate showdown—only to discover her true potential as an underground champion.
Michael Baez is a director and producer with over 20 years of experience, having directed short films, feature films, and internationally acclaimed theater productions. A graduate of the New York Film Academy, he is known for his commitment to crafting compelling stories that explore complex social issues.
DE LA CRUZ
Sharvi M DCP, 84' (India) 2022
A man struggling with alcohol addiction reaches the final stage of alcoholism, losing his beloved family, job, and friends. His inner battle to overcome this condition is at the heart of DO OVER, a motivational film that explores the power of rebirth and resilience.
Sharvi M is a director, screenwriter, and producer with a long career in Indian cinema. From 1990 to 1999, he worked as an assistant director, collaborating with renowned filmmakers such as Iqbal Durrani, IV Sasi, PG Vishvambharan, and KS Ravikumar.
Since 1999, he has directed numerous films in various languages, including:
🎬 Gandhiyan (Malayalam)
🎬 Campus (Tamil)
🎬 Spiderman (Malayalam)
🎬 Aadma Kali (Telugu)
🎬 Mr Bean (Malayalam)
His recent works include:
🎬 Do Over (Tamil, 2022)
🎬 Better Tomorrow (Tamil, 2024)
DO-OVER
Paul Spurrier DCP, 75' (Thailand) 2024
Dream! is a groundbreaking cinematic musical set against the breathtaking landscapes of Thailand. It follows the journey of an orphan determined to find a family, weaving together 18 original songs, a fully Thai cast, and bold scenography. Blending Hollywood tradition with the vibrant colors of contemporary Thai culture, the film explores hope, perseverance, and the sense of belonging.
Paul Spurrier is a British filmmaker who has chosen Thailand as his creative base. Known for his innovative work, he was one of the first Western directors to make a feature film entirely in the Thai language (P). His ability to merge cinematic storytelling with local culture has earned his films international recognition.
DREAM
Antonio Rodríguez Cabal DCP, 129' (Spain) 2023
During the vibrant 1970s, two young Spanish adventurers, Javier and Rafa, venture into the Sahara Desert in search of unforgettable experiences. Amidst the allure of Tuareg culture, the dangers of the "Desert Pirates", and an encounter with the mysterious and captivating Florence, Javier uncovers an extraordinary secret guarded by the enigmatic Tuareg princess, Tin-Hinan.
Antonio Rodríguez Cabal is a Spanish director, screenwriter, and producer with a long career in film and advertising. In 2023, he directed and wrote Fin de Viaje Sahara, a film based on unused footage from his 1983 feature film SAHARA.
He has produced several cinematic projects, including:
🎬 Escapes and Absences (2022)
🎬 Journey to the Fantastic World of Gloria Fuertes (2020, animated project)
END OF TRIP SAHARA
Mehdi Ahmadpanah DCP, 96' (Iran) 2024
Four old friends gather on the night before one of them leaves for military service to say their goodbyes. One of them documents the events of that night. Years later, he returns to his hometown and attempts to reunite the group.
Mehdi Ahmadpanah was born on July 16, 1984, in Tehran. He initially pursued mechanical engineering, but soon discovered his passion for cinema. During his studies, he participated in several short films and theater productions. Eventually, he decided to change direction and continued his studies in film directing at the University of Art in Tehran.
He produced his first feature film in 2016, which was presented at the Fajr Film Festival in the Art and Experiencesection. He is currently active in theater and cinema in Tehran.
EXT FRIENDDHIP NIGHT
Alejandro Gruz, Andrés Tambornino DCP, 107' (Argentina) 2024
A man on the fringes of society accepts a job to kill a controversial local businessman. Although set in the 1980s, the film evokes the classic western aesthetic, with a backdrop in northwestern Argentina, intertwining mystery, philosophy, and moral conflict.
Alejandro Gruz is an Argentinian director and screenwriter, known for his work in independent cinema. With a strong passion for visual storytelling, Gruz has directed and written numerous films that explore universal themes with an authentic and personal perspective.
Andrés Tambornino is an Argentinian director and screenwriter, with a talent for weaving intense and dramatic narratives. With an academic background in film, he has worked on various projects spanning fiction and documentaries, demonstrating great artistic sensitivity and attention to detail.
HOMBRE MUERTO
Claudio Callao DCP, 98' (Mexico) 2023
Martín, a retired talented pianist, meets Mariana, the daughter of his best friend, Pedro. A deep love story unfolds between them, with Mariana becoming Martín’s muse. However, with a 42-year age difference, they must confront the challenges that such a unique relationship brings.
Claudio Callao has 25 years of experience directing dramas and comedies across various formats, including variety shows and reality TV. He is a profound expert in the language of Latin American series and telenovelas, having worked with Brazilian, Venezuelan, Colombian, and Mexican productions for both Latin American and North American markets.
LA CASA AZUL
Leon Joosen DCP, 88' (USA) 2024
A young girl recounts her childhood in Displaced Persons refugee camps after World War II, where she lived with her mother and grandmother. Meanwhile, a father shares his experience in Stalin’s Siberian Gulags. Two harrowing life journeys intertwine into a single story—a celebration of the human spirit and the intergenerational resilience of a family.
Leon Joosen is an internationally renowned director and animator, as well as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He has had a long and prestigious career in animation, contributing to iconic works such as Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Scooby-Doo, and Muppet Babies. With extensive experience in the creative field, Joosen continues to develop projects that seamlessly blend storytelling and visual artistry.
LAND OF MUSTACHES
Ian Charles Lister DCP, 76' (Italy) 2023
An obsession with a silent film icon, a passionate search for Lulu, an intimate and visceral portrait; a reflection on the male gaze and its impact on the female image; female emancipation and self-realization, told with sensitivity and depth.
Ian Charles Lister is a film enthusiast and creative writer living in Turin, Italy, where he teaches English at the university. He holds a Master’s degree in Film Studies from the University of Exeter and has further developed his screenwriting skills through a masterclass with Mike Figgis, exploring the potential of digital cinema.
LULU IN TURIN
Sreevallabhan B. DCP, 90’ (India) 2023
In the village of Ramasseri, Palakkat, the struggle for drinking water is relentless. Eleven-year-old Appu faces immense hardships: his mother, already with a paralyzed hand, is diagnosed with cancer, and his father abandons them. With no one else to support them, Appu takes on the burden of the household. Despite being punished for arriving late to school, he finds encouragement from his headmaster and solace in his only friend, Srikutty. But Appu’s true companions are the trees and birds of the village, to whom he confides his sorrows. When the villagers plan to cut down the trees, a beggar named Bhaskaran urges Appu to stand up against the destruction. The young boy embarks on a journey to protect both nature and his family.
PACHA
Gideon Homes DCP, 91' (Netherlands) 2024
A former underground techno DJ, now working at a prestigious law firm, delves into the dark sides of society, where the war has already begun. Confronted with moral dilemmas and ethical gray areas, he navigates a world where the true underground lies in ruins, keeping one eye on the past and one on the future.
Gideon Homes, born in Eindhoven, Netherlands, comes from the indigenous Sabajo family of the Arawak (Lokono) tribe in Suriname. His projects explore subcultures and the different layers of society. His debut film, Return to Planet Underground, presents an abstract narrative that draws parallels between past and present, tackling themes such as social injustice and the cyclical nature of history.
RETURN TO PLANET UNDERGROW
Lanhua Ma DCP, 88' (China) 2024
Set in a Chinese elementary school, this lively blend of animation and live action humorously explores the education system through the eyes of Xiaohua, an eccentric young girl, and Teacher Ma, who seeks new methods to inspire her class. A debut film that shines with out-of-the-box creativity.
Lanhua Ma is a rising Chinese filmmaker, internationally acclaimed for her work. A graduate of Emerson College (USA), her films have been screened in China, the Netherlands, Japan, the United States, and Switzerland, earning global recognition.
Among her works:
🎬 There is Honor among Thieves (2018) – Winner of Best Experimental Film at the First International Film Festival (2019).
WHO IS AFRAID OF WRING CLASS
INTERNATIONAL FEATURES FILM
FOR VITTORIO BERSEZIO AWARD
IL GIOCO DELLE MASCHERE
Achille Concerto DCP, 25' (Italy) 2023
With sensitivity, this film tells the stories of forgotten characters and explores universal themes through award-winning theatrical and cinematic works, recognized both nationally and internationally.
Achille Concerto (born in Palmi, September 24, 1950) is a retired physician, writer, playwright, and director. He is the author of books such as Voci del deserto, Carlo V e l’uomo di Gand, and Un re d’autunno, Gioacchino Murat, and has been critically acclaimed for his theatrical and cinematic productions.
His works include:
🎭 Storia del brigante Giosefatte Talarico (screenplay)
🎬 Eduardiando (a tribute to Eduardo De Filippo)
🎬 Il gioco delle maschere folli
Both short films have won multiple national and international awards.
NAALAI NAMETHE
Venba Kathiresan DCP, 123' (India) 2024
The caste system plays a crucial role in India's electoral system. This film exposes how the upper castes are stripping away the constitutional rights of the lower caste sections!
Venba Kathiresan has worked as an assistant director for several filmmakers in the Tamil film industry. Naanali Namethe marks her directorial debut.
SONO SOLO RAGAZZI
Nicolò Stucchi DCP, 19' (Italy) 2024
Three old friends reunite after years at a funeral, sharing a deep melancholy as they reflect on divorces, broken dreams, and modest lives. Their encounter with a group of young troublemakers stirs feelings of envy and intergenerational resentment.
Nicolò Stucchi, born in a small town in Lombardy, grew up surrounded by wheat fields and forests, developing his imagination through manga, comics, and video games, which deeply influence his cinematic style. In 2023, he attended a Masterclass with the D’Innocenzo brothers and a Fight Choreography course, collaborating with industry professionals. In 2024, he worked as first assistant director for the short film The Good People by Simone Polito, which competed at Visioni Italiane.
In 2025, he makes his directorial debut with the short film They’re Just Guys, currently in distribution.
THE WANDERING GLIDER
Ara Torosian DCP, 11' (USA) 2024
A man prepares to leave his country in search of a better life, while his partner, left behind, wonders if the "better life"they dream of truly exists or is merely an illusion.
Ara Torosian is an Iranian-Armenian-American director. He began his creative journey on YouTube, where he gained over 180,000 followers, and has amassed 240,000 followers on TikTok. A former refugee, who emigrated from Iran to the United States with his wife, Ara dedicates his life to supporting and inspiring refugees, both in Los Angeles and around the world, through his work at the local church.
FIAMME NEL MARE
Gabriele Giannini DCP, 15' (Italy) 2023
In a small riverside village in Italy, Maria, a young fisherwoman, falls in love with Giulio but soon faces discrimination simply for being a woman. After their marriage, the cooperative stops paying her salary, forcing her to make a courageous decision. Amid prejudice, isolation, and betrayal, the couple embarks on a painful journey of resilience, striving to build a better future.
Gabriele Giannini (born in 1995) is an Italian director, videomaker, and digital creative. He graduated in Graphic Arts from ITSOS Albe Steiner in Milan and in 2013 directed the documentary Il Velo di Shara, later acquired by Feltrinelli.
Specialized in Digital Videomaking at Bauer Afol Metropolitana, he has directed promotional videos for major musicals and numerous short films and documentaries, including:
🎬 Landless (2021)
🎬 C’erano una volta le Mondine (2022)
🎬 Fiamme Nel Mare (2023)
Active also as a cinematographer and actor, he combines creativity and technical expertise in audiovisual production.
Pilar Ordóñez DCP, 85' (Spain) 2024
Nine characters confront emotional struggles linked to xenophobia, abortion, anorexia, intolerance, and bullying, exploring universal themes until an unexpected twist brings them together.
Pilar Ordóñez is a Spanish actress, director, and writer who has worked with renowned directors such as Saura, Berlanga, and Trueba. A multi-award-winning artist, she is the author of books, plays, and monologues. After a career in theater, film, and television, she is now directing her first feature film, Piezas.