Critics' Picks Competition

The newest currents in the art of film through the eyes of a film critic. For a demanding palate. Only world premieres.

A Summer Tale

A Summer Tale

After a heart attack, Buenos Aires hustler Jorge races to prove he’s a “good guy”... whatever that means.

Local title
Suvelugu
Title in Russian
Летняя история
Director
Matías Szulanski
Country
Argentina
China Sea

China Sea

A cancelled martial artist finds refuge in a Taiwanese family’s restaurant. Fists fly, cultures clash, and secrets burn.

Local title
Hiina meri
Title in Russian
Китайское море
Director
Jurgis Matulevičius
Country
Lithuania, Taiwan, Poland, Czechia
Invisibles

Invisibles

An escort questions her life until a disabled client makes her confront who she is and who she might become.

Local title
Nähtamatud
Director
Junna Chif
Country
Canada
Mo Papa

Mo Papa

A powerful story of love, loss, and redemption by Estonian writer-director Eeva Mägi.

Local title
Mo Papa
Director
Eeva Mägi
Country
Estonia
Nino in Paradise

Nino in Paradise

Young Nino is chasing dreams with his crew – hustling, partying, and fighting to stay hopeful in a lost world.

Local title
Nino paradiisis
Director
Laurent Micheli
Country
Belgium, France
Oh, What Happy Days!

Oh, What Happy Days!

Actor Golshifteh Farahani and artist Shirin Neshat unite in a powerful film reflecting on Iran’s past and present.

Local title
Oh, mis rõõm!
Director
Homayoun Ghanizadeh
Country
Iran, USA, France, Canada
Round 13

Round 13

Ex-boxer Kamel’s world shatters when his beloved son is diagnosed with a life-threatening tumour.

Local title
13. raund
Director
Mohamed Ali Nahdi
Country
Tunisia, Cyprus, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
Street Wanderers

Street Wanderers

A prosecutor and a Chinese police officer risk everything to take on a brutal mafia in Argentina.

Local title
Tänavauitajad
Director
Juan Martin Hsu
Country
Argentina, Peru
That Burning House

That Burning House

Hurt kids in a Taiwanese children’s home with broken trust. A chance to break the cycle before it destroys them all.

Local title
Leekiv maja
Director
Yin-chuan Tsai
Country
Taiwan
The Silent Virgin

The Silent Virgin

A film exploring silence, identity, and justice in modern-day Mexican society, inviting you to find the answers.

Local title
Vaikiv neitsi
Director
Xavi Sala
Country
Mexico