Film Selection | AWL Filmfestival

FILM SELECTION 2022

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FILMS IN COMPETITION

From a variety of 540 international submissions the best 50 short films were selected for screening at the festival – documentary, drama/fiction and animation films. The wide spectrum does not only span thematically, but also geographically - there are films from the Balkans, Italy, France, Spain, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, Ireland, UK, Iraq, Iran, Argentina, Philippines, Australia, Morocco, Pakistan, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Canada, USA, etc.

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[IN]VISIBLE

Documentary – 6’39

Director: Rosser Goodman

USA

Synopsis:

Bug, a rough and tough assassin, tracks down Bjorn, an ex-cell mate, from a terrible time. The two play cat and mouse in a 'polite' confrontation at Bjorn's safe house, until Bug confirms what she knows and lets Bjorn live to see another day, for now.

10 YEARS DISCAMINO

Documentary - 19:52

Director: Víctor Bello

Spain

Synopsis:

The history of Discamino is a story of overcoming, a dream to fulfill, forgetting the barriers and showing that together we are stronger.

A LIFE WITH CI

Animation - 2:09
Director: Eric Giessmann, Piers Goffart

Germany

Synopsis:

A story about my experiences as a deaf person and how I learned to hear again with the help of a cochlear implant.

An Irish Goodbye

AN IRISH GOODBYE

Drama/Fiction - 23:29
Director: Tom Berkley / Ross White

Ireland

Synopsis:

Set against the backdrop of a working farm in rural Northern Ireland, 'An Irish Goodbye' is a black comedy following the reunion of estranged brothers Turlough (Seamus O’Hara) and Lorcan (James Martin) following the untimely death of their mother (Michelle Fairley).

ANDY & KALIOPE

Drama/ Fiction - 5:47
Director: Crystal Arnette, Catriona Rubenis-Stevens

USA

Synopsis:

When Andy must move to yet another foster home, his case worker helps him connect to his inner superhero.

BEING TOGETHER

Drama/Fiction- 4:01
Director: Ana Baer

USA

Synopsis:

A collaboration between Austin based all ability dance company Body Shift and Merge dance company filmed at the Austin Public Library.

BLUE LEMONS

Documentary - 12:50
Director: Claire Fraser

Canada

Synopsis:

Blue Lemons, Marie’s Gift is a short documentary about the extraordinary work of Marie Webb, a Nova Scotia based artist and designer. The film highlights her successes and the importance of the support she receives from family, community, and her artist colleagues. Marie continues to meet the challenges that Down syndrome presents but it is important that her work be recognized in the design marketplace rather than only in a disability context. The film catches poignantly that when Marie works with others, there is an exchange of love and respect - the beneficiary is community.

BUTTERFLIES

Drama/Fiction- 14:59
Director: Seyed Mohammad Mir Heidari

Iran

Synopsis:

Aslan, a deaf boy falls in love with Selma, a blind girl, but the story is something else.

COLORED DARKNESS

Drama/Fiction - 4:55
Director: Mohamed Amalaab

Morocco

Synopsis:

Two minor children meet in different circumstances in a public
park, to have an interesting conversation between them, to discover that not everyone is smiling happy, always there is complete darkness in a whirlpool of light.

CULICIDAE

Drama/Fiction - 6:58
Director: Greg Moran

Australia

Synopsis:

A late night intrusion leads to a life and death struggle.

EMBRACING THE STARS

Documentary - 8:00
Director: Christopher Sánchez, Mario Cervantes

Spain

Synopsis:

Javier is deaf-blind but he is willing to live the adventure and climb to the top to fulfill his dream: to embrace the stars.

First Step Swim

FIRST STEP SWIM

Drama/ Fiction 6:56

Director: Caitlin McMullan

United Kingdom

Synopsis:

Delving into deep water, a disabled woman finds a sense of wholeness.

GOLEADOR

Drama/ Fiction 14:00

Director: Francesca Frigo

Italy

Synopsis:
Steven plays football in a team made up of people with intellectual disabilities. When a mystery man appears at the field, the word spreads that Steven is about to be bought by a Serie A team. Meanwhile, the arrival of the man upsets the boy’s mother, who knows his real identity.

GULAB GUL

Documentary - 11:00

Director: Semih Sağman

Turkey

Synopsis:

Gulab Gul is a boy living in a remote mountain village in Afghanistan. Gulab does not have two arms from birth. Gulab, who lost his father 5 years ago, is taken care of by his uncle. But his uncle also has to go to the city for business. So how will Gulab Gul cope with this challenging geography and his own shortcomings if his uncle leaves?

I AM A VERY SPECIAL BEING

Documentary - 3:46

Director: Marcus Mandal

Denmark

Synopsis:

40-year-old Christian is diagnosed with autism.
He wrote the lyrics for this song about who he is - and he sings it himself.

From the lyrics: "I am clever but not sly".

From an interview with Christian:
"I think artificial intelligence is really interesting, and Terminator -
- and recreating dinosaurs. And I'd like to save my mind on a computer so that my mind can be in other persons and in animals and in things - and live there forever".

I am Burnesha

Synopsis:

Patriarchal times in northern Albania gave birth to a phenomenon - the replacement of the man at the head of the household by a woman. These are masculine times, in which the woman is only tasked with taking care of the household and raising the children. But, locked in these social roles, girls emerge, ready to abandon their female identity and follow the path of honor. They want to be respected women with the power of a man, not for themselves, but for others. They give up marriage and sexual relations. They choose to live as men. The fall of the regime opened the country to the modern world, but neither communism nor the emerging democracy succeeded in changing the age-old traditions in the isolated mountainous regions of Albania. In the Cursed Mountains, to the north, the last sworn virgins in Europe today live a man`s life.

I AM BURRNESHA.

Documentary - 29:20

Director: Radiana Vasileva Bozhikova

Bulgaria

KEEP ON LIVING

Drama/Fiction – 15:00
Director: Antonis Renieris

Greece

Synopsis:

The life of little Charis will be forever changed after a car accident. Anger, emotional outburst and isolation. With the support of the family, the school environment as well as a meeting with a man who experiences the same situation and conquered the world, he finds new hope. And keeps on living.

Koba

KOBA

Documentary - 17' 12''
Director: Brahim Basha
Kosovo

Synopsis:

In the city of Suhareka, lives a man KOBA, he has Dawn syndrome, he turned 42 years old on May 13, 2022. KOBA has been socialized and sensitized so much that everyone covets it. The whole town knows him, he is very loved, everyone hugs him, he is happy with everyone. Special importance he gives to courtesy and cleanliness. KOBA is a symbol and in our city he is called the Legend of Suhareka!

LISA

Documentary - 3:49
Director: Jay Pinkster
Australia

Synopsis:

How would you cope if you were told that you are going blind? Louis is a 10 year old sporting fanatic with Usher Syndrome, and he lives every day with that reality. Louis and his family share about their journey to transcend the diagnosis and how they plan to live a rich and rewarding life.

LEADING THE WAY

Documentary - 7:00

Director: Ferran Calbet Bigorra

Spain

Synopsis:

“Opening the Path” is a metaphor to tell you a story: the experience of 3 people who walk a path on behalf of a whole group of people with cerebral palsy or disabled for other reasons, people who fight every day for a world without physical or imaginary barriers.

Lulebore

LULEBORE

Documentary - 4:48
Director: Gentian Minga
Albania

Synopsis:

The world renowned soprano, Ermonela Jaho in this documentary-video song, she performs with young artists with disabilities: one 16 years old singer with Down syndrome, 1 boy in the autism spectrum, studying guitar and music at the University of Arts in Tirana, an enthusiast of music in a wheelchair, a soprano with visual impairment, graduated at the University of Arts in Tirana, and a composer and music researcher with visual impairment. Their genuine talent faces every day huge challenges, especially in accessibility and studying process. But their talent have survived any difficulty and this video song is the testimony!

LUMINARY

Documentary - 9:34
Director: Nada Jahed

United Arab Emirates

Synopsis:

A poetic portrait of a blind father with a bright perspective on life, who is strongly determined to deliver his message to the world.

MATERNAL STRENGTH

Drama/Fiction - 11:00
Director: Salvador Monleon Boluda

Spain

Synopsis:
Mr. Gonzalez is an arrogant and unscrupulous businessman. His life undergoes a 180 degree change after an unexpected turn, which makes him a totally different person. A short film inspired by a true story.

MAWBE

Drama/Fiction - 9:43

Director: Mame Selemane Dieye

Senegal

Synopsis:

In Dakar West Africa, 4 young apprentice mechanics headed by Mawbé, a disabled person, forge a very strong friendship between them. Despite the difficulties, Mawbé keeps his feet on the ground thanks to the solidarity and sharing spirit of his gang.

MIKO

Documentary - 12:34
Director: Liva Polkmane
Montenegro

Synopsis:

This is a story about photograph who looks the perfection in photos. His name is Miko.

MISUNDERSTOOD

Drama/Fiction - 22:12

Director: James Brierley

United Kingdom

Synopsis:

Lukas is a happy autistic young man. He is content in his own little world, listening to music on his earphones and collecting his magazines. However when he is bullied by Ryan and Amy, he starts shutting down to the people closest to him.

MY SIGN IS...

Documentary - 7:22
Director: Sonia San Segundo Sáez

Spain

Synopsis:
In a sign language school, students show through sign language how important sign language is, and how important it is to learn it!

NEW NEIGHBOUR

Drama/Fiction - 4:47
Director: Vincent Hazard

France

Synopsis:

Ben is moving into a new flat and is trying to make a good impression on his new neighbours, which is important when you’re visually impaired. However, Ben doesn’t seem to be able to connect with his next door neighbour…

NORA, A VERY CAPABLE GIRL

Animation - 3:29
Director: Alejandro Blanco, Noa De los Reyes

Spain

Synopsis:

Nora, a girl with a disability, starts a therapy with horses in an equestrian school. She faces rejection from some young riders but also finds the value of respect and friendship.

ONE OF THE OBVIOUS RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP

Animation - 1:17
Director: Reza Khodadadi

Iran

Synopsis:

The rights of people with limited abilities are often not respected. This animation shows that the rights of people with limited abilities face problems on a daily basis.

PARA NADAR

Documentary - 4:56
Director: Flore Elise Hartout

France

Synopsis:

When diagnosed with Leukemia, Ari hit rock bottom, she did not want to live on, as she felt lost, without purpose. Every day since, Ari goes above and beyond the barriers and limitations caused by her medullary lesion with an inspiring attitude and an ambitious goal. The Paris Paralympic.

PERCY TALKS - ALEC'S HAPPIEST DAY

Animation - 3:17
Director: Diego Raf Diaz

USA

Synopsis:

Conversations with Children on the Autism Spectrum.

A creator with Autism talks to children on the spectrum in search of understanding of what autism really is. The recordings of their conversations create a wealth of mini-stories that are animated and presented by its creator who voices Percy the alien.

PURE SILENCE

Drama /Fiction - 10:00
Director: Bora Davutluoğlu

Turkey

Synopsis:

The silent conversation between Sinem and her mother who has Alzheimer's disease.

Ranna Light

RANNAA (LIGHT)

Documentary - 5:11
Director: Aamir Khan Millizai

Pakistan

Synopsis:

Abdul Qadir Mujrim lost both his hands in an electric shock while repairing an electricity tower. H started to write poetry and books but he had no hands. from that day on he started teaching how to write and read to his village children.

REPEATED MEMORIES

Drama /Fiction – 14:51
Director: Soo-Min Park

Uzbekistan

Synopsis:

Jong in studies in Uzbekistan and works as a part-time career. Same as always, he spoon-feeds patients, cleans rooms and also toilet. One day, he gets a call from his friend, Ha-yeong. “I have a job for you. There is an one old man who is blind and deaf. He is just waiting for his dying day. Your job is acting like his son and eating dinner with him. It’s for 100 dollars for a day. I’ll send you some details.”

Anchor 1

SHARING

Drama/Fiction - 16:00
Director: Granit Dragaj

Kosovo

Synopsis:

In an ordinary family, Bora lives with her mother Eda. Recently, the family now has another child, Dalmati,
Bora has made some postcards, and has decided to share them with the people in the neighborhood, to share her joy with others, for her brother.
Bora It will stop at the door of each family. Along the way, she meets different groups of people, each with their own problems. And in each case, her reflection, the positivism and the warmth she gives, makes those people change the previous approach.

SHHH!

Drama/Fiction - 2:33

Director: Shamir Raiapov

Kyrgyzstan

Synopsis:

5-year-old Amanda stops loud arguments of her deaf parents.

SOONER OR LATER

Drama/Fiction - 14:43
Director: Karim Mohammad Amini

Iran

Synopsis:

You have made my decision for me up to this point . I'm making my own decision from now on.

SUN FLOWER

Drama/Fiction - 7:33

Director: Ali Sahar

Iraq

Synopsis:

Good child an orphan works seller for karts and disabled brother and student school turning a thief for school books. And turns them with paper covers to sell sunflow.

Superadapted

SUPERADAPTED

Documentary - 27:00
Director: Pablo Hernán Aulita

Argentina

Synopsis:

"SUPERADAPTADOS, partners of the same dream", is about the start-up of a factory of adapted tricycles, managed by young people with motor disabilities. These bikes will be donated to other kids with disabilities. A unique case of its kind in the world.

THE BONSAI

Drama/Fiction – 18:40
Director: Dipa Basnet, Anil Rimal

Nepal

Synopsis:

The Bonsai is the story of a 15-years old girl who struggles with her perplexed state of mind due to the behavior portrayed by the society. This leads her to wonder about the creations of nature and keeps searching for the answer.

THIS IS MY HAND, THIS IS MY LEG

Documentary - 13:47
Director: Adam Miklos

Hungary

Synopsis:

Csanád and Réka both suffer from limb deficiencies but they both lead a happy life. While Réka is a mother of four and faces her own demons of guilt, Csanád just came to terms with his life.

TRACING A GLANCE

Drama/ Fiction - 15:00

Director: Matias Angulo

Argentina

Synopsis:

Facundo and Natalia live across the street. During a power cut, they see each other through their windows and start a unique distance relationship communicating through drawings. But a deep fear of Facundo complicates meeting face to face.

Up to the Stars

UP TO THE STARS

Drama/Fiction - 12:10
Director: Alejandra Villegas Orozco

Germany

Synopsis:

Felix is with his mother on the way to a doctor’s appointment, but suddenly the bus stops and everyone need to wait for a replacement bus. Felix becomes aware of Nino, a person in a wheelchair trying to pick up his sketching sheets. He helps him, but Nino is cold and distant towards him due to his arrival at the airport. Felix on the other hand, does not give up and keeps trying to get his attention by drawing just like Nino does.

WALK RUN STRIVE

Documentary – 9:11

Director: Emma Jackson

Australia

Synopsis:

Madison Heady is an athlete managing the challenges of Cerebral Palsy and achieving success, when tragedy strikes she must harness her resilience and optimism to once again walk run and strive.

What reall helps

WHAT REALLY HELPS

Animation – 4:30
Director: Katharina Weikl

Switzerland

Synopsis:

The animated film "What Really Helps" accompanies researcher Maria-Theres Schuler to a camp for refugees in western Uganda - which is certainly considered a showcase example. The humanitarian aid focuses primarily on enabling refugees with disabilities to live an independent life - as independently as possible from humanitarian aid.

WHO

Drama/Fiction – 18:20
Director: Carlos Martín

Spain

Synopsis:

Luis, a totally dependent disabled man, has just arrived at a social center where he will be cared for the rest of his life. There he meets Ana, a nurse who will give him back the will to live.

WIN & LOSE

Animaiton – 3:00
Director: Mohammadsadegh Hosseinpour

Iran

Synopsis:

Two boys from both countries are involved in the war. They are volley balling behind the barbed wire. Days pass and they play together. One day, one of the boys breaks down leg. His friend finds out that he is an artificial foot. The boy goes away with a broken leg. At the end of the way, he realizes that his friend has put something on the wire. When he approaches, he sees that the artificial leg on the wire is hanging. And they realized that both of them had suffered a war.

WING CHAIR

Documentary - 5:38

Director: Arjanmar H. Rebeta

Philippines

Synopsis:

A person with disability (PWD) makes his wheelchair as a wing to reach his dream.

WISH

Drama/Fiction - 6:09

Director: Khaled Farjzadeh

Iran

Sinopsis:

This film is about a poor family – father, son and their three five old mother. Their son is disable. Everyday his mom carried him to school. At the mother's day, the disabled child wants to paint a wheelchair and he wants his mom is not being so annoyed for caring for him.

PANORAMA

Films supplied by Travel Fest Albania

(Partner Filmfestival of Art Without Limit Int. Filmfestival)