Discover Movies

A shared moment by a fire in the remains of an Eastern Finnish rural community. The lines between light and dark, past and present start to waver. It Takes Years to Reach Us is a meditation on remembering while we drift on.

Nothing nor anyone can escape the impacts of climate change. People from all corners of Brazil, our cities and forests, our economy, our health and our dreams for the future. Six Brazilians, from five different states, tell how climate change has affected their lives. A young indigenous woman who became the leader of a volunteer fire brigade after an unprecedented forest fire; a small farmer who faced six years of drought; a centenarian caiçara community forced to move due to the advance of the sea; a retailer who saw his shop destroyed by rains and landslides that claimed hundreds of lives in Rio de Janeiro; an oyster farmer who suffered harsh losses due to rising sea temperatures; a woman from a coastal city who lost two cars to storm tides which are happening more and more often along the Brazilian coast.

The 19th Annual Backcountry Film Festival will be screening a collage of short documentaries and ski movies about the pursuit of objectives and ideals in the mountains, artistic vision, friendship, and how the snowsports community is adapting to a changing environment

Bicycle documentary about a father and son road tirp.

On the move, along the roads of the Ecuadorian Andes, we are transported to random moments in everyday life. Without appropriating what we observe, we continue the journey.

When Ukrainian filmmaker Anastasiia Bortuali is displaced to Iceland, she documents her fellow refugees, capturing their fragility and strength against a dramatic backdrop of northern lights and volcanic eruptions.

Without Roland Béguelin, Secretary General of the Rassemblement Jurassien, and Marcel Boillat, founder of the Font de Libération du Jura – two solitary men who combined their forces and their determination and succeeded in making the canton of Berne and the Confederation, which for a long time had a very negative view of the separatist awakening, bend over backwards – the canton of Jura would not exist.

An international diary of the impact of climate change is constructed from thousands of hours of in-the-moment footage. Through the process, we witness the deep human resilience, resourcefulness and courage necessary to confront the world’s most pressing challenge.

A documentary about Churchill's Pub — South Florida's punk rock institution for four decades — as told by the band members, staff and regulars who used to call it home.

Pyrifera delves into the depths of the Argentine Sea to portray the macroalgae forests, a key ecosystem that provides shelter and food for species of high commercial value such as crab, sea bass, and squid.

In the pristine Bristol Bay area of Alaska, two sets of siblings are alarmed when they learn of plans for the proposed Pebble Mine in the vicinity of their homes. The Salmon sisters, Native Alaskans, work on the regulatory front – pushing the federal EPA to block the project, and remaining hyper-vigilant to political pressures that could shift at any moment. The Strickland brothers, independent fishermen who know they could be just one mine accident away from losing their livelihood, probe closed-door meetings to expose the truth behind what the developer tells the public. Together, the Salmons and the Stricklands remind us never to quit until Goliath has fallen.

A dance-filled documentary about South African choreographer and activist Gregory Maqoma. Maqoma works with composer Thuthuka Sibisi to create a radical and unique theatrical dance piece based on the true story of the first Black South African choir traveling to the UK. From rehearsals to the final performance, the film is full of personal and inspiring music and movement, captured beautifully for the big screen.

A star dancer at the Cambodian royal court lovingly raises her husband's little brother as her own son. Decades later, as a forced labourer under the Khmer Rouge, she discovers that her foster son is Pol Pot.

This feature documentary is a lyrical exploration of family, the craft of photography and the power of visual storytelling to create change. Following the careers of former National Geographic Magazine Editor in Chief, Chris Johns, and his daughter Louise, a young freelance photographer, it's an examination of the soul of journalism during a period of industry disruption and its role in preserving a planet balanced on the edge of devastation.

A portrait of Toronto, as defined by the spaces its queer residents inhabit and the memories they’ve created there.

"É o Boi" is a documentary that narrates the origins, portrays the present and discusses the perspectives of carnival in the city of Porto Ferreira/SP. Celebrating a tradition that already is already 90 years old, the film is mainly made up of images taken during the Porto Ferreira's carnival and interviews with people who fight daily to keep this unique and at the same time typically Brazilian cultural manifestation alive. Made over almost a decade, "É o Boi" also portrays critical moments of this carnival in the countryside of São Paulo, including disagreements with public authorities that almost led to the carnival being banned and the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the organization of celebrations.

In the 2024 elections in the eastern German states of Saxony and Thuringia, the right-wing extremist party AfD and the socio-culturally right-wing but socio-economically left-wing party BSW performed strongly. A similar result is predicted for Brandenburg. What will the enormous voter support for AfD and BSW mean for the economy, society, culture and local politics in eastern Germany in the future? Will the east of the country become increasingly ungovernable due to the decline of the established parties and the electoral successes of AfD and BSW, will the social mood change or can new compromises be found? In search of answers, the filmmakers accompanied people from Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg for several months, who presented their personal perspectives and life situations and gave insight into their worries, fears, wishes and expectations.

First recorded in the Isle of Wight in 1848, conkers was commonly played in the UK until it was banned from most schools in the early 2000s. Players alternate after three goes at exploding the opponent’s horse chestnut with their own. Points are assigned not to the handler but to the individual conker, as if it were a talented champion, like a racehorse; high scorers are often taken home and cared for. From the player, unerring aim rather than force is expected – we feel the frustration every time the target swings mockingly away. The fun part is when both strings get entangled, and the first player to shout “snag!” wins an extra turn.

Short film shot in southern Chile, appreciating its landscapes with an experimental visual objective.

As Cyclone Remal approached, we arrived in Debpur village of Dhankhali Upazila, Bangladesh. What struck us immediately was the stark contrast between the official warnings of impending devastation and the villagers' apparent lack of preparedness. Over the following days, amidst the unfolding chaos, we documented the lives of individuals as they grappled with the imminent threat of destruction. The film captures the overbearing anxiety that grips entire communities in the face of an approaching cyclone. Through intimate encounters, and candid interviews, we witness firsthand the resilience and fear of those directly in Remal's path. Their voices echo the overwhelming power of nature and the human spirit in adversity.

One of the world’s earliest female rock and roll bands was formed in Belgrade in the 1960s. In complex circumstances and times when “electrical” music was a nuisance to the “guardians of public morals” for spreading the rebellious spirit, teenage girls Doda, two Ljiljas and Nena founded VIS SANJALICE and conquered the music scene of Yugoslavia, on par with male bands.

The film showcases the voices of past and present Hougang residents, alongside commentary by historians, public intellectuals, politicians, and volunteers. Charting Hougang’s history from the mid-eighteenth century, the film features personal recollections of growing up in Hougang, residents’ sentiments towards state-led redevelopment and relocation, and the political journey of the community in the context of the Workers’ Party having won the Hougang Parliamentary seat a little over 30 years ago.

The fam workers of Hacienda Vicenta in La Castellana town in Negros Occidental are fighting for their right to own land under the Philippines’ Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). They were promised in 2012 that they will each get about one hectare of land each. But in 2021, as their collective title was being processed, the Department of Agrarian Reform granted the application of the landowner for land use conversiona

Tirana’s second biggest stadium is a socialist relic past its prime that has failed to keep up with the surrounding world. It rests in a state of limbo, silent and timeless. Built with over a million point clouds after scanning the entire stadium, this posthumanist film-poem is the result of a first contact with the perennial wildflowers that had sprouted in the abandoned fields of the stadium.

A minimalist documentary about the events on and around the 1st of August 1966 in Austin Texas.

It has been 20 years since The Island was unleashed on Flanders. After all these years, fans of the series are rewarded with an exclusive reunion special, in which thirteen original cast members and the creators reunite for a unique look back.

This is a story about how a Man helped a Man. Ksenia Zueva made a documentary about her friend, neurosurgeon Dr. Vijay Dzhafarov, who performed a unique operation, relieving a young man from Rybinsk from a sudden painful illness. The doctor and the patient share their experiences with Ksenia Zueva. This documentary is not only Ksenia Zueva's directorial work, it is also her debut as a cameraman and composer.

Discovery of the exhibition "Love and Justice" by Laetitia Ky at the Maison des Arts de Créteil, with explanations from Fanny Bertin, head of cultural programming.

WATERSHED chronicles the story of Mallory Weggemann, who was paralyzed at the age of 18 and found refuge in the pool as a swimmer. Having won five Paralympic medals, Weggemann is now not only looking to reclaim her spot on the podium, but she’s trying to become a mother as well. In WATERSHED, which was self-documented by Weggemann and her husband Jay Snyder, Weggemann trains for the Tokyo Paralympics during COVID-19 and battles an additional injury to her arm, putting her career in question. Against the backdrop of these crossroads, the couple bravely share their struggles with infertility, the importance of IVF, and their journey to start a family. In this deeply personal and inspiring film, Weggemann reminds us that trauma and tragedy not only change how we are perceived by society, but how we perceive ourselves. And that if we’re brave enough, we too can write our own ending.

Africa is a land of giants. Its mighty rivers sculpt the earth and form impressive valleys and waterways home to many imposing and powerful inhabitants. These are the rivers where massive elephants and hippos live, feed and drink and where ancient crocodiles hunt and breed. They share the rivers with other creatures of their kind, such as porcupines - the giant rodents in Africa, the martial eagle - the biggest of its kind on the continent, and the leopard - a giant among the spotted cats

Old Super 8 films show domestic happiness, the West German economic miracle, an idyllic home, grandmother Rose as a young woman at the centre. They do not show the violence in Rose’s marriage. Or do they?

A woman stares into the camera, drinks coffee, laughs, and twirls her hair. The footage is slowed down to showcase human motion and body language, as well as capture and preserve the beauty of an individual person.

Designer Lyudmila Norsoyan has terminal cancer. She talks about her life, shares stories in which she was a direct participant, and reflects on the themes of youth, self-determination, and mastery.

In the heart of the Gaza Strip, four men navigate through divergent paths in pursuit of their definitions of existence, intertwining their fates amidst the complexities of life, love, and survival.

What kind of season was that?! After 11 years, Alemannia achieved promotion to the professional league. Images full of passion and emotions. The return of a traditional club. #ZESAME

Behind The Looking Glass is a film about the lives of women whose partners have or want to ‘transition’. While we hear a great deal of “stunning and brave” stories of men, there is a deadly silence when it comes to the stories of the wives or partners. This film will be the first of its kind in collecting such experiences of women from around the world.

Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying is a short meditation on love, grief, and imagination. The hand-drawn animated documentary was created through a collaboration between mother, elder and narrator Edith Almadi and filmmakers Natalie Baird and Toby Gillies. This poetic piece celebrates life and the transformative ability of art to elevate and transcend us. Through vivid drawings and Edith’s simple yet magical words, the film explores our enduring bond with loved ones who have passed. In honouring her son’s life within the cosmos, Edith’s artworks embody colours, shapes and metaphors that remind us of the timeless power of love, gravity, and grace until our final breaths.

After the death of the Argentine director Eva Landeck at the age of 98, her daughter Irene Morak, an actress in her films, dismantled her mother's apartment, causing the discovery and rediscovery of her films considered lost.

A documentary celebrating the contributions of below-the-line artists whose work shapes the visual and auditory landscapes of cinema.

Between the Asphalt and the Cloud. Rappers face the challenge of staying true to their roots while trying to stand out in the digital universe. The internet promises freedom, but hides traps for those who dream of living off rhythm and rhyme. A raw portrait of the struggle between tradition and technology in the peripheral hip-hop scene.

The European elections held from 6 to 9 June could be decisive for the EU. Polls predict a shift to the right, but radical right-wing parties are already influencing EU policy. This documentary focuses on Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s term in office since 2019, and analyses the shift in policy on key issues such as migration.

A tender portrait of an outsider artist fighting for tenant’s rights on the Lower East Side in New York City.

Regina is a young feminist wrestler who fights men to become an international star. However, the true battle in wrestling takes place outside the ring – in the story team meetings.

A reality of the country, a poor country with no record of having had any material wealth hidden in the past, yet a country with a large number of people who dig in this place for more than 23 years hoping to find treasure. This documentary shows the psychological aspect of people who illegally burrow into the mountains, not noticing the real beauty and treasure they possess – the natural beauty of the country.

Skateboarding, with its all-encompassing lifestyle, personal expression, creativity, and rebellious spirit has grown into something more than just doing tricks in Estonia. Skaters repeat in unison, “Skateboarding has given me everything.” Skateboarding is their life. Skateboarding is freedom. This is the story of a scene spanning five decades in Estonia, from the boards made with clay wheels in the 1980s to today’s youth, for whom the whole world is open.

An exploration of the site of the first purpose-built modern film studio in the US (American Vitagraph Company) which operated from 1907 through the silent era, was repurposed into a yeshiva school for girls in the early 1980s, and rebuilt in 2000s for residential use with the original 70-foot smokestack still intact. The film includes interviews with film historians and descendants of the studio founders; re-photographed nitrate fragments of films that were produced at the Brooklyn studios over 100 years ago; and original footage shot inside the yeshiva school and of the building during and after demolition. The film explores both profound resistances and persistent echoes of national and local cultural histories, the archeology of the American film industry, local neighborhood demographics, gentrification, and politics.

UW faculty member Lynda Barry takes center stage in this charming documentary about the “Comics Room”, where Dr. Barry and her students–including a student turned faculty, comics veteran Jeff Butler–explore their creativity through the medium of comic books, creating a lively community of artists in the process.

At the age of 53, Michael moves back into his childhood bedroom, after his mother has been diagnosed with earl onset dementia. Can the photographer, who suffers from depression, rise to the challenges posed by this living arrangement?

The Le Mans race in 1955 made history through tragedy when more than 80 spectators were killed. Uncover the story of the crash that took the lives of so many and, to this day, looms over the world of motorsports.