Finalist Films Edition 6 – 2025

DAKINI

When darkness holds the light, the thin line between good and evil becomes an illusion. Unravel the captivating journey between perception and reality.

DystopiK – Film study and notes for an agony

Filmmaker aurélien réal and his team were sent missioned to film and collect documents on the planet called DystopiK, discovered on a previous expedition. There, they were confronted with the unthinkable: that this planet is the exact double of planet Earth, so equivalent in all respects that each of us could meet his or her double there. Yet planet DystopiK offers us Earth dwellers the shock of seeing and feeling what we do not know of ourselves…
 

The Eye of Africa – The Cinematic Pioneer Hans Schomburgk

The film ​​is dedicated to the life and work of Hans Schomburgk – the first German to capture the overwhelming beauty of Africa. In 1898, he left Hamburg aged 17 for Africa, where he tracked down the considered extinct pygmy hippopotamus for the Hamburger zoo founder Carl Hagenbeck. The Royal Geographical Society thereupon welcomed him as a member. He was the first German to lure millions of viewers to the cinemas with feature-length documentaries from Africa. The very well-preserved original films take you to mysterious and largely unexplored areas. They are interwoven with opulent scenes from modern-day Africa.

Straight Lines

A struggling queer artist finds love for the first time at a coffee shop.

Umbrella

“Umbrella” unfolds as a moving tale of serendipity and second chances in the realm of love and hope.
In the middle of the enchanting setting of a photo studio where fate first brought them together, a reserved young boy and a cautious girl find themselves entwined in the delicate dance of romance. Their journey, shadowed by past heartaches and tentative affections, unfolds over the span of five months.
But, as their relationship progresses, miscommunication sows seed of doubt and insecurity. The boy’s reticence and the girl’s guardedness breed misunderstanding, leading each to question the other’s feelings. Sensing a growing distance between them, the boy resolves to confront the issue head-on, intending to sever ties before further heartache ensues.
Their rendezvous at the familiar photo studio serves as a poignant backdrop for their imminent farewell. However, as they pose for a final photograph, the girl’s tender gaze and the boy’s lingering doubts collide in a moment of clarity. It’s in this short instant that the girl’s innocent gesture—a simple act of holding the boy’s forgotten umbrella—reveals the depth of her affection, shattering the boy’s preconceptions.
In a twist of fate, the umbrella becomes a symbol of their bond—a tangible reminder of the connection they share. In this realization, the boy finds solace, understanding that love transcends words and actions, and that true understanding lies in the heart’s silent whispers.
“Umbrella” is a tribute to the life changing power of love, where misunderstandings give way to revelations, and uncertainty blooms into unwavering devotion. In the end, the young couple discovers that beneath life’s fleeting showers, love’s enduring shelter offers refuge and renewal, promising brighter days ahead.

Kordovero 22

Two men meet through a screen and struggle to get closer in an impossible pre-written reality

Random Beats

Chhavi’s excitement to connect with her boyfriend’s family fades when she starts receiving baffling messages. She can make peace with herself only if she can figure out what’s going on.

claimant

“Claimant”is about a father who discovers that his teenage daughter was assaulted and raped so decides to confront and punish the rapist, but since the culprit is a very proficient lawyer he uses laws in a way that he not only escapes from justice but also legally make the father the criminal.

1 % Infinity

Mihir, a young man burdened by the relentless pressure of meeting his parents and girlfriend’s expectations, finds himself trapped in a cycle of guilt and self-doubt. His journey is marked by a constant return to the moment when his dissatisfaction first took root.

Mihir’s parents had always pushed him to excel academically and professionally. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, who thrived on her own achievements, expected him to match her pace and ambition. Despite his efforts, Mihir consistently fell short, his own dreams and aspirations overshadowed by the weight of others hopes.

As Mihir revisits the pivotal moments of his past, he struggles with the feelings of failure. Each memory brings a fresh wave of guilt, riding that memory he lands up at a point where it all started.

The Other Profile

French filmmaker Armel Hostiou discovers he has a second Facebook account: a fake Armel who has real photos of him and many female friends, all of whom live in Kinshasa. Fake Armel invites them to audition for his next film, which is supposedly set in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Faced with the impossibility of closing this account, the filmmaker decides to go looking for his double.

Bullet Wipe

BULLET WIPE tells the story of a small Long Island community reeling from the aftershock of a local school shooting. Teresa Bianco, a distraught mother seeking justice for her deceased son, turns to Donnie Beganovic, a reluctant Bosnian-American lawyer with a rigid code of morality, as her last resort for justice. Will Donnie and his team help this grieving mother on her journey of retribution and revenge? Or will they leave her to fend for herself, like so many other victims of senseless violence?

Mourning

A YOUNG WOMAN’S SEARCH FOR HER MISSING DOG LEADS TO A SHOCKING DISCOVERY
– a story about violence against women

My Lizochek

Kolya Zvansky is an ordinary Moscow schoolboy, living an ordinary childhood life. Suddenly his father is arrested as an “enemy of the people”, and gradually everyone who was around him turns away from the boy in fear. The music teacher refuses to continue lessons, former friends not only stop communicating, but also begin to beat him. Only the girl whom he loves remains nearby, but she is also forbidden from seeing him. In addition, his mother and brother are threatened with arrest, but most importantly, at school he is persuaded that he must disown his father….

A BOOK BY THEIR COVER

A BOOK BY THEIR COVER is a 32-minute indie-short film that addresses a tween girl identifying their orientation, educating herself with a book, and how the town reacts. A BOOK BY THEIR COVER addresses how LGBTQIA+ young people must learn about themselves, and how this must stop being a covert awakening.

The Old Man and the Demon Sword

In a haunted forest of a forgotten Portuguese village, an evil force emerges. Unafraid of God or Man, it roams the valleys, claiming the souls of those lost in temporary pleasures. The only thing standing between this evil and humanity’s doom is a retired construction worker, a bottle of wine, a 50cc Zündapp motorcycle, and a sword possessed by a mysterious demon.

Kuch Sapney Apne

Kartik & Aman’s relationship is tested when one of them has a fling which leads to a domestic spat. Kartik’s parents’ relationship breaks apart when Damodar and Vasudha have a tiff. Will these two couples be ever able resolve their differences? Will their relationships stand the test of time?

Kuch Sapney Apne is a sensitive heartwarming film about relationships, queer or not, and what happens when relationships are challenged by uncomfortable truths.

Child on the Edge

The music video addresses the topic of abortion, portraying it as a tragic interruption of life before it could be fully realized. Can the world be freed from violence and war if killing begins right in a woman’s womb?

Despite the tragic theme, the music video is life-affirming and positive. It calls for the preservation of children’s lives and advocates for motherhood.

My World Without Me

This is a film about depression, telling the story of those whose lives have been shattered, whose reality has been turned inside out, and who wander lost, strangers to their own existence.

The Cyprus Bycatch Project

Bycatch, the accidental capture of non-target species in fishing gear, is a major issue in Cyprus. This problem can have serious consequences for both the marine ecosystem and the fishing industry in the country. Bycatch can include a wide range of species, including dolphins, sea turtles, and birds, many of which are protected and vulnerable to overfishing. The accidental capture and death of these species can have negative impacts on their populations, leading to declines and potentially even extinction. In addition to the environmental consequences, bycatch can also have economic impacts on the fishing industry. The loss of non-target species can reduce the overall catch and lead to financial losses for fishermen. Efforts to reduce bycatch, such as the use of specialized gear and more selective fishing methods, are important for both the conservation of marine species and the sustainability of the fishing industry in Cyprus.

SCRAP

SCRAP is a tragicomedy shortfilm about the selfish and unself-conscious port employee Peter who is prevented from committing suicide by the AI (artificial intelligence) of his ex-wife’s car. When the car becomes more self-aware than Peter, Peter is forced to change…

The Dawn of Creation

Drawing inspiration from Paul Gauguin’s first journey to Tahiti in 1891, our short film weaves a narrative that intertwines with the ancient Tahitian culture, deeply informed by the studies of Teuira Henry, an ethnologist from the late 19th and early 20th century. The film follows the footsteps of an artist who embarks on a solitary expedition into the island’s hinterlands. During an extraordinary night, this journey leads to a magical encounter with a deity from Tahitian mythology. This pivotal moment sparks a profound contemplation, birthing a story that blurs the lines between the human and the divine, challenging our perception of reality and spirituality.

Rasam (Broth)

Rasam (Broth) encapsulates the life of Eka, a modern day urban woman – a victim of patriarchy and abuse by her chauvinistic husband. A turn of events, motivates Eka to set herself free from the clutches of the patriarchy and shackles of marriage while choosing the Rasas (emotions) of her life on the auspicious day of Navratri – the same day that Goddess Durga won over the demon.

Les Matérialistes

Combining documentary and science fiction with foresight, co-creation, and animation design, Les Matérialistes is a participatory futurism pilot project. This practical utopia transports us to 2050 to better understand what is necessary and possible to undertake collectively to achieve a transition to a truly circular economy.

Weave Of Culture

A determined Indian graduate seeking a software job in the city to free his mother from bonded labor, revives his father’s handloom weaving for a promise she made.”

I Have a Voice

Fragments of childhood memories surface when a woman who suffered sexual abuse at age 8 shares her trauma with an audience. Inspired by a true story, and created in partnership with the Childhood Foundation to help raise awareness on this urgent matter.

EK WAJAH (THE REASON)

In a city gripped by communal tensions, EK WAJAH tells the poignant tale of two lovers, who find themselves on opposite sides of a societal divide. Once separated by fate, their paths cross again amidst the chaos of a raging riot. As the narrative unfolds, “EK WAJAH” explores themes of love, sacrifice, identity, and the profound impact of societal divisions

The film captures the struggle of two souls torn between their love for each other and the harsh realities imposed by the world around them, questioning whether love can transcend the barriers of community and prejudice.

‘I am no Queen’

“I am no Queen” intricately intertwines the lives of Rani, Ridhi, Professor Neha, and Harry, offering a moving exploration of the challenges international students face in Canada. Rani, whose name ironically means “queen,” finds herself captured in a web of financial struggles and exploitation after unknowingly enrolling in a fraudulent college. As she navigates the dark underworld of the sex trafficking industry, Rani’s story becomes a powerful focal point, highlighting the harsh realities and desperate choices faced by international students. Along with this, Rani and Ridhi battle their own hardships, while Professor Neha emerges as a loyal advocate for their rights. Meanwhile, Harry, a pimp, is drawn into a world he never imagined, haunted by tragic events from his past. Through their interconnected journeys, “I Am No Queen” presents a compelling narrative that challenges societal norms and emphasizes the importance of compassion and harmony in adversity.

Batto Ka Bulbula

In a rustic village in Haryana, lives Batto, a genial yet alcoholic elderly man, who seeks to sell the last piece of his land to live with his outcasted friend, Sultan. Batto’s wife died a decade ago in an accident, leaving him with an adopted son, Bittu, who desires to inherit the last piece of land for himself. Bittu deceives Batto prompting him to question his relationships, his choices, and the life he has led with the Sultan and alcohol. Sultan, who harbours doubts, confronts Batto for the truth. Through trials of deception and betrayal, Batto learns the importance of scepticism, resilience, and the enduring strength of genuine friendship.

NAND – SOS

In a world where nature has retaliated against humanity’s destruction, mutants — half-human, half-plant beings — began to appear. Society rejected them, isolating them in “treatment” zones, while flowers were declared illegal. People caught possessing or transporting flowers faced persecution akin to drug charges. Meanwhile, among the followers of a flower cult, a myth emerged: a Messiah could be awakened through a ritual, one who would destroy technology, restore the natural world, and bring harmony back to Earth.

In the music video: four grim men in leather jackets are driving a young man dressed as a flower deep into the forest. It seems they plan to get rid of him. On a forest clearing, they pick up shovels, but suddenly rip off their jackets, revealing… bee-like bodies! They begin a ritualistic dance, pollinating the flower-like protagonist. With every move, the world starts to transform. Flowers sprout inside the car, break through asphalt, and bloom across the grass. The transformation accelerates as nature begins to consume everything…

Raka

Based on the epic verse Raka (1941) by prolific Afrikaans poet N.P. van Wyk Louw, an animated film adaptation of the celebrated poem, seeks to present the writer’s literary masterpiece in a re-imagined visual form. This short film is a visualisation of the first scene of the poem, which’s greater theme capitalise on the duality of culture and nature.

Set in a marshy region on the African continent, the films sets off on an enchanting yet ominous tone as the painterly world and its inhabitants are introduced. Following a group of women making their way from the fields to a sirene pool where they bath and unwind after a day’s work. Soon a more anxious tone sets in as Raka (a strange hominoid) disrupts the tranquility at the pool by performing an outlandish dance and bestowing gifts to the women.

For now, the women’s fear triumphs over their curiosity and they depart the pool leaving his offerings behind.

Deepa Motion Pictures | Luminous Escape

This short film explores the emotional and psychological journey of a young man who finds himself caught between his dreams and societal expectations. As time runs out, he struggles to overcome his self-doubt and make a life-changing decision.

– *Protagonist* – A young man torn between following his passion and fulfilling his family’s expectations. His friends, family, or a mentor who guide him toward self-realization.

A la Mike Leigh | IF YOU WON’T ACT, THEN WERE YOU EVEN HERE

NO WAY, MAN | THIS IS HOW WE DO WAR

Set in the distant future, three corrupted world leaders compete over a child’s board game to determine the future of the galaxy.

Life Uphill : Tenzin Dolma Story

Tenzin Dolma is an ultramarathon runner from India. She was forced into marriage at 15 and became a mother at 19. Now Tenzin defies gender roles by conquering grueling ultramarathons in northern India’s Himalayas. She does it without any institutional support, funds or training.
Tenzin manages to find a balance between her role as a provider for the family, running a café, and pursuing her passion for running.
“I do all the household chores, run my cafe, and on top of that, consistently train and participate in some of India’s most competitive races.”
Tenzin started running at 32 and competes over extreme distances like 100km, empowering women and girls to dream big and break barriers.
“I wanted to prove to myself that I could overcome challenges.”

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