Skip to content

WORLD NARRATIVE

Block 1 – Thursday 27 June – 11.00

THE QUEENS HEAD
78 Harbour Parade,
Ramsgate CT11 8LP

1813
(Belgium)


SYNOPSIS
Gabriël is balancing on the edge of the abyss, ready to take his own life. In a voicemail, he addresses his beloved, bidding his final farewell in the hope that she will understand his internal struggle.

Writer/Director/Producer: Mateo Fromont
Producer: Izzy Wilkinson
Cast: Arend Pinoy, Delfine Bafort


MEET THE DIRECTOR

Mateo Fromont is a young filmmaker from Belgium, born in 2001. He is currently pursuing his studies at Campus Narafi, which is a part of LUCA School of Arts.

 

 

 

 

 

DEATH PENALTY
(Sweden)


SYNOPSIS
The ultimate wish of the convicted criminal, which shook everyone in the courtroom, in anticipation of the execution, asked as his last wish that the letter was handed over to his mother. The letter read:

Writer/Director: Adrian B. Morina
Producer: Albi Morinasson

Cast: Adrian B. Morina, Rose-Marie Qwick Schönherr, Nabil Fakhro

 

THE FILMMAKER
(Brazil)


SYNOPSIS
This is a movie about a filmmaker who doesn’t have money to submit his film to festivals.

Writer/Director: Elcio Cabral Melo
Producer: Maria Sol Aranda
Cast: João Paulo Saragossa

 

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Elcio Cabral Melo is a 42 years-old non-binary gay person. He is a director, producer, screenwriter and journalist. Elcio worked for 20 years in journalism, and has been writing screenplays professionally for almost 10 years. In 2019 he opened his own film production company in Ubatuba, a small shore city between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. He wrote, produced and directed ““Hitchhiker Vírus” (8 minutes, 2021) and “Neighborhood Friends” (25 min, 2022).

IN 100 YEARS
(Denmark)


SYNOPSIS
Charlotte receives a solemn phone call from her father, Henning. The time has come. A childhood promise resurfaces in her memory—a vow that if the light of life ever fades for him, she would assist him in his journey to the beyond, but not until “a hundred years” had passed.
Writer/Director: Hektor Bille Hornsleth

Producer: Nikolaj Naetz Rasmussen
Cast: Malene Beltoft Olsen, Claus Flygare

Trailer:

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Hektor Bille Hornsleth embarked on his film journey at Zentropa, where he completed their comprehensive 3-year education program. He began his career as a producer assistant and later transitioned to become a director’s assistant for Thomas Vinterberg. His time at Zentropa provided ground for growth, where he contributed to notable projects like Riders Of Justice, the. Oscar-winning film “Another Round” and the engaging TV series “Families Like Ours.” These experiences deepened his understanding of storytelling and the collaborative nature of filmmaking. In addition to his behind-the-scenes work, Hektor pursued his passion for storytelling by writing and directing short films. These projects allowed him to explore his creative vision and hone his craft further.

Block 2 – Thursday 27 June – 12.30

THE QUEENS HEAD
78 Harbour Parade,
Ramsgate CT11 8LP

BABA
(Kenya)


SYNOPSIS
In the outskirts of Nairobi, a six-year-old boy with the unique ability to teleport, struggles to understand his world and the people around him. Buoyed by childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, he bounces between his harsh reality and the peaceful solitude that his ability affords him, as he learns to protect his innocence.

Writer/Director: Mbithi Masya
Producer: Bramwel Iro

 


MEET THE DIRECTOR

Mbithi Masya is a director of films, music videos, and commercials. His first feature film, Kati Kati, produced by award-winning German director Tom Tykwer, has won several global awards including the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) award in the Discovery Programme at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). FIPRESCI described Mbithi’s work as ‘an exciting and unique new voice in cinema’. Since then Kati Kati has screened at over 40 festivals globally and has gone on to win the New Voices/New Visions Award Special Mention at the Palm Springs International Festival, the Filmpris at the 19th CinemAfrica Film Festival in Stockholm, the Emerging Filmmaker Award at the 2017 Minneapolis St Paul International Film Festival, and the Best East African Film award at the 2017 Africa Movie Viewer’s Choice Awards.
Mbithi has also worked across 8 different African countries as an advertising commercials director for different clients such as Airtel, Barclays, and Coca-Cola.

THE BLUE BALLOON
(USA)


SYNOPSIS
Le Ballon Bleu is both a prequel and a continuation to the 1956 classic French film Le Ballon Rouge. When a girl with a blue balloon crosses paths with a boy and his red balloon, it’s clear a greater magical force is at play in the streets of Paris. Like the film it celebrates, this is a story about the magic of childhood and the importance of friendship. The filmmakers designed the film so that it could be intercut seamlessly with the original.

Writer/Director/Producer: Katherine Griffin
Writer/Producer: Jon Bachmann
Cast: Milla Dubourdieu, Octave Bossuet

 

 

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Katherine Griffin is originally from Bloomington, Indiana and lived in 3 states, 10 cities, and 17 different addresses by the time she turned 18. Movies and television became her consistent past-time.
She has been nominated for nine Primetime Emmy Awards with one win for editing Top Chef.
Most recently, Katherine was hired by Disney+ Latin America to be one of two directors to oversee the look, feel and tone, and oversee casting, for the 10 episode series Lucha. She also recently completed writing and directing the award-winning short film Le Ballon Bleu, shot entirely on location in Paris on the iPhone.

SKY(PE)
(Italy)

SYNOPSIS
From heaven, a father manages to video-call his son.

Directors: Bruno Ugioli and Riccardo Menicatti
Cast: Gabriele Bocchio, Nicolò Piccinni

Trailer:

 

 

 

MEET THE DIRECTORS

Riccardo Menicatti and Bruno Ugioli, freelance filmmakers, founded Fuoricampo Film in 2012.
The two authors codirected more than 20 short films, music videos and commercials, with selections and awards in many festivals, both national (smile award at Tulipani di seta nera 2023, best short film and best screenplay at Aprilia Film Festival 2020, two special mentions for the best short film at Glocal Film Festival 2019 e 2020) and international (best short film at Melrose Film Festival 2021, best social/dramma at Sguardi – European Independent Short Film Night 2022).
Riccardo and Bruno also coproduced the first full-lenght film of the studio, “Handbook of Movie Theaters’ History”, a documentary about the history and the future of movie theaters in the city of Turin.

SLOW DATING
(Australia)


SYNOPSIS
When an elderly lady finds herself at a speed dating event for seniors, she’s confronted with questionable men and Zimmer frames. Making her getaway, she meets suave Leon and is swept away to a lavish hotel. Faced with a heartbreaking decision, she’s torn between the beauty of holding on and the vulnerability in letting go.

Writer/Director: Adam Szudrich
Producer: Heather MacFarlane
Cast: Julie Collis, Peter O’Brien

 


MEET THE DIRECTOR

Adam Szudrich is a multi-award-winning writer and film director. His work has been selected for 150+ international festivals across America, Europe, Australia, Canada, Asia, South America, Africa, India, New Zealand & the Middle East, winning 62 awards.

ANGIE’S LOVE
(Nigeria)


SYNOPSIS
A new mother catches up with friends while her baby and husband sleep.

Writer/Director/Producer: Bayo Lambo
Producer: Goga Clay
Cast: Toni Tones, Folu Storms

 

 

 


MEET THE DIRECTOR

Bayo Lambo is a Nigerian writer-director and business development executive. He recently completed his first short film ‘Angie’s Love’ in 2023 and is currently developing his first feature film.
In 2020, Bayo launched N’ihu Media, an online platform that develops and curates content showcasing overlooked aspects of life in Africa through documentaries and candid interviews.
His work explores the human condition in stories that are concealed due to cultural stigma and taboo. He aims to depict complex experiences and emotions that reframe the African consciousness and subsequently improve interactions within the continent and beyond.
Bayo lives and works between Lagos and Dubai.

Block 3 – Friday 28 June – 12.30

COMMUNITY CINEMA
64 High Street
Ramsgate CT11 9RS

WEDNESDAY
(Hungary)


SYNOPSIS

When a Jewish woman (30) makes her son (5) pee on the wharf of Danube river in the night of mid-fourties Budapest, we don’t know yet that this is their last moment together.
Because the fascist Arrow Cross party officer plays with them with particular cruelty.
Because they are the members of that group who will be shot into the river soon.

 

Writer/Director: Botond Aszalós
Producer: Krisztina Wéber
Cast: Eszter Banfalvi, Sebestyen Suto-pataki

 

 

MEET THE DIRECTOR

SANDOR.FEGYVERNEKY@GMAIL.COM

Botond Aszalós was born in 1968 in Budapest. Upon completing his studies, he worked for Hungarian Public Television as a camera operator and camera assistant until 1991. During his time there, he acquired the fundamentals of cinematography and the professional use of pro and broadcast cameras.
From 1991, he was employed as a Steadicam Assistant for the first Hungarian commercial production company, named KOZMO FILM, where he immersed myself in the intoxicating world of film production. He had the opportunity to participate in the making of Stalin, the Hungarian-American co-production of HBO in 1993, shot by the Oscar-winner Vilmos Zsigmond. After the reorganization of KOZMO FILM, he started working for its successor, Filmpartners, on several projects: TV, advertising, video and reference films. In addition to working for FILMPARTNERS, he ventured into business on my own, shooting other projects. During this time, he was also regularly working for the first Hungarian music television, named TOP TV, creating numerous music videos, recording live concerts and live studio broadcasts. he was also fortunate to learn filmmaking from a director’s point of view, actively participating in everything from brainstorming sessions, script writing, post-production coordination, basically managing all aspects of movie-making along the way.
Upon completing the full-feature box office comedy hit „Üvegtigris”, he started working for FILMSERVICE as a director, cinematographer and post-production manager.
By 2003, he was ready to walk his own path and now he works as a freelance director, cinematographer and camera operator, mainly in foreign productions.

END OF THE LINE
(Ireland)


SYNOPSIS

A young man named Harry decides he is going to end his life by drinking himself to death. Throughout Harry’s night of drinking, we learn more about his troubled past through encounters with strangers he meets during what he considers to be his final night. By the end of the night, Harry realizes he has a choice to make, either confront his past or continue drinking until he is dead.

 

Writer/Director: Shane Kelleher
Producer: Emma Coleman
Cast: James Wiles, Tommo Thomas, Mark Collier

 

 

 


MEET THE DIRECTOR

Shane Kelleher studied filmmaking in Ireland at Cork College of FET for 2 years. From there he was offered the opportunity to study in the UK, at BIMM Film and Screen School Brighton, where he completed his filmmaking top-up degree. Throughout my studies, he has grown a fondness for writing and directing. He has written and directed multiple short films, music videos, and promos but he is always looking to improve his craft and learn as much as he possibly can about the film industry. He’sery eager and excited to make contacts with industry professionals at every given opportunity. 

ALARMS
(France)


SYNOPSIS

Pierre is diligently overseeing the completion of the tumultuous construction site under his responsibility. An eco-district is due to arise from this bustling construction site. But for now, Pierre is ensuring that progress doesn’t come at the cost of safety.

Writer/Director: Nicolas Panay
Producers: Philippe Wendling, Noëlle Levenez
Cast: Thomas Coumans, Laurence Côte, Key Cast

 


MEET THE DIRECTOR

Nicolas Panay co-founded in 2016 the “Court en scène” Troyes international short film festival, of which he was director and programmer for six editions. In 2022, he directed “Breakpoint”, his first short film. It is a powerful social drama about nowadays textile factory workers confronted with the pernicious mechanisms of our globalised economy, and the intractable moral dilemmas it entails. After its world premiere in Clermont-Ferrand, the film has now been selected in nearly fifty festivals. It has won several awards, including the Unifrance Best Actress prize at Cannes for the lead actress. “Breakpoint” is also in the race for the Oscars 2024. His second short film “Alarms” is a social thriller. Nicolas reaffirms the radical humanity of his perspective by positioning his camera up to its character’s destiny, capturing every nuance of an intricate subject.

THE ASTRONAUT
(USA)


SYNOPSIS
Seven-year-old Aura loves everything space. She looks out her window, wishing she could escape the surrounding smog that’s causing her asthma. Her vivid imagination keeps her spirit alive. Every Sunday, she takes her abuelita to the lighthouse, in hopes that one day it’ll turn into a space shuttle. Today her dreams come true.

Writer/Director: Damian Apunte
Producers: Erika Martinez/Taius Greenidge
Cast: Nora Harriet, Ofelia Rivera

 


MEET THE DIRECTOR

As a first generation Ecuadorian raised in the Asheville, NC, Damián Apunte viewed the world in an unconventional way. His intrigue of the unique beauty in the darkness influences Damián’s aesthetic vision through his reflective storytelling. Additionally, his discovery of existentialism paired with life changing assaults shaped his compassion for the human soul. This compassion is something he strives to share with the world by making films that make you feel.

Back To Top