Film Catalogue

Shiro and Wachuka attempt to convert a derelict, trash-filled library in the heart of Nairobi into a vibrant hub of culture and creativity for the city’s inhabitants. The building in question, the historical McMillan Memorial Library, built in 1931 by British colonizers, was exclusively reserved for white people until 1958. The two women, determined and dedicated to their cause, took on the ambitious project of the renovation works in 2017. However, as they go through the archive material, conflicted emotions arise within them - anger and appreciation in equal measure - as they grapple with the dilemma of which elements of Kenya’s colonial heritage are worth preserving and which should be left to obscurity. By capturing the complicated process of the library’s restoration, the bureaucratic hurdles, and the precariousness of the project in the face of political change, the filmmakers, Maia Lekow and Christopher King, simultaneously manage to explore another pivotal question; when are compromises justified in the wider debate on acknowledging and offering restitution for colonial heritage?

“A year after my mother’s death I return to the empty Athenian apartment of my childhood to deal with a problematic inheritance. From the now bare surfaces of the flat fragments of my family’s memories emerge, intertwining my personal history with the collective trauma of the Greek Junta.” (T.V.)

Jo and Allie, a trans couple from Sunnyside, Queens, have built a life together that defies easy categorization. Their journey begins with a serendipitous meeting on a dating app in 2016, leading to their marriage two years later, yet their path is filled with challenges they could never have anticipated. Despite the persistent discrimination and systemic barriers they face as trans individuals, their love remains their guiding force. As they navigate their transitions, careers, and family dynamics, resilience, support, and fulfillment prevail. Through moments of joy and vulnerability, My Sunnyside invites viewers into the intimate and evolving world of two people committed to forging a future together, even as the unexpected continues to reshape their lives. Tender, compassionate, and uplifting, their story becomes a celebration of love, identity, belonging, and the transformative power of finding family in the most surprising places.

Joakim is a 40-year-old Norwegian man who had one dream ever since he was a child: to create a farm, where he would raise foxes for domestication and later sell them as pets. Solitary, eccentric, shrouded in a mystical melancholy, Joakim fights for his farm and leads a withdrawn life, with only his pets and a neighbor for company; a Slovak immigrant who also lives ostracized, as an outsider. Set against the backdrop of the grandeur of Scandinavian nature – exquisitely depicted on the film’s stunning cinematography – and accompanied by an evocative string soundtrack that emphasizes the melancholy permeating the characters, Pet Farm masterfully paints the portrait of a man who seems to embody the verses by George Seferis: “Tortured by my own shirt / condemned by my own gods.” With tenderness and love for its protagonist, the film touches on the unshakeable bond between man, animal, and nature in a profoundly touching manner.

Amidst the maelstrom of war in Ukraine, three drag queens -Diva Monroe, Marlene, and Aura- refuse to abandon their homeland. Instead of fleeing, they choose to fight: for freedom, the LGBTQ+ community, and their very existence. From the glamour of the show to the brutality of war, the film follows their lives – filled with loss, fear, as well as indomitable courage. Marlen grapples with old wounds, Diva Monroe finds herself once more, and Aura fights for a place both in the army and onto the stage. A charity drag show they organize to support Ukraine turns into a symbol of unity and resilience. The film is a story of self- discovery, love, hope, and the power to find joy even in the darkest of times.

Amid the vast greenery of the Czech countryside, Pavel quietly tends to spring meadows damaged by deforestation, preserving rare plant species, while Klára, working with the Czech Ornithological Society, scours the land for illegal bait traps with the help of her loyal dogs, uncovering threats to local fauna. When she stumbles upon the poisoned body of a white-tailed eagle, a tense investigation unfolds, revealing the disturbing presence of a serial wildlife killer. As the search for answers deepens, Resilience evolves into an urgent, suspenseful inquiry, blending environmental documentary with the pulse of a crime thriller. The film challenges us to reflect on humanity’s role in a world teetering on the brink, highlighting the profound fragility of nature and the dire consequences of our actions.

It’s 1995 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During a feminist studies class, college student Kristi opens her textbook to discover something that turns her world upside down. For as long as she can remember, Kristi has felt different- now she knows why. Demanding her medical records, Kristi is finally confronted with the devastating truth: she has been lied to all her life by those she trusted the most. What follows is the unearthing of an extraordinary and disturbing secret that goes far beyond her own life, leading to the discovery of a psychology experiment on a pair of twins – once hailed as a revolutionary success but now revealed to be a terrible lie affecting thousands around the world.

Over the past 50 years, Mykonos has experienced radical transformations: it was dirt cheap, today it is unaffordable; it was “off-the-beaten-track,” now it is a top destination; it was a symbol of inclusivity, today it is one of exclusivity. How did a tiny island become a melting pot for such divergent experiences? Was it paradise? Is it still?

Poetic, dramatic, funny, MTV kids growing up on the Greek island of Corfu, Kore. Ydro. conquered the Greek indie pop/rock scene like only a few bands did, receiving both adoration and derision. The documentary follows their journey, focusing not only on the two core members but also on the importance of being special, without feeling ashamed.

Yamashita's Gold is a mythical, untold treasure, allegedly buried by the Japanese Army across the Philippine archipelago during World War II, with the prospect of retrieving it in the future. According to the legend, most of it remains concealed beneath the ground to this day. Treasure hunters from all over the world have tried to obtain it, including Jack and his father, who have dedicated their lives to this pursuit, spending millions of dollars in the process. The Treasure Hunter tells the agonizing and archetypal story of a treasure hunt, as if taken straight out of a (dark) fairytale. But it is much more: at the heart of the film pulsates the tragic nature of a son who strives to earn his father’s affection, falling prey to one mistake after another akin to a hero from an ancient tragedy, only to end up with a bitter self-awareness. Visually stunning, masterfully edited, and the culmination of seven years of filming, The Treasure Hunter crafts the portrait of a memorable and agonizingly familiar character.