Object 817 (Belgium) by Olga Lucovnicova

*** Sundance Film festival 

Somewhere deep in the Ural, abandoned buildings are holding more than just memories of the past. They also bear witness to a secret that has plagued the community since the Stalin era. Local people speak about strange events that occurred decades ago, leading to the gradual extinction of their once-bustling community. We discover a group of people on home footage taken at the local police station in the ‘90. They examine an unusual creature, believed to be of extraterrestrial origin. Its appearance inspires fear and fascination, and soon it reaches a cult status. “The Kysthym Alien” has its own monument, poems and songs… But the strange events surrounding the creature’s discovery remain shrouded in secrecy, and the truth continues to be buried.  The film takes us on a journey of discovery aiming to unravel the dark truth that has been haunting this community for so long.

Running time: 00:21:00

Afrodite (Belgium) by Karolina Grondhal, Mirna Everhard, Piller Bebea, Ahsan Mohammod, Anantha Krishnan

Aphrodite is not only a prominent figure in Greek mythology but also the name of a love motel located in Viana de Castelo, a beach town in Portugal. As you can see, it creates a thematic connection between the mythical realm of love and the tangible experiences within the motel. This documentary film captures a collective exploration by a group of filmmakers, delving into the ambiance, privacy, choices, architecture, and the essence of love within this unique establishment. The shots and edits were made through consensus among the filmmakers. In my role as a cinematographer, I relished the opportunity to navigate the intimate and restricted corridors of the Aphrodite motel. This project, born out of a film school exercise with a group of classmates, unfolds as an attempt to unravel the intricacies of love in a distinctive setting.

Running time: 00:08:00

Lenie (Belgium) by Floor Smessaert

*** World Premiere

How do you dance when your body - the only thing you need for it - cannot always be trusted? This short documentary explores the role of dance in the life of Lenie, an 18-year-old Brussels girl with disabilities. It blends observational footage of her classes at Platform K, a modern dance company for dancers with disabilities, with footage of the other dancing Lenie enjoys: moving to pop music in her own room and recording herself. As Lenie moves, she reclaims control of her body — while learning to let it go.

Running time: 00:11:22

Nooit rust (Belgium) by Céline Schauvliege

A documentary about the system in which homeless people end up. Through the eyes of Mike & Jill, we experience the personal impact of thresholds and rules that are installed by a policy. Welcome to bureaucratic, inhuman absurdistan in the Kempen…

Running time: 00:24:46

Tokyo Toy Boy (Belgium) by Esli Balatova

*** Young Filmmakers Festival Brussels

In a world of loneliness, Tokyo Toy Boy searches for a reason to keep going. Through an intimate portrait, the documentary explores the battle between self-destruction and a better day tomorrow. Kazuho, ​​a 24-year-old former host boy in the shady neighborhoods of Tokyo, bears the scars of a lost generation. Tokyo Toy Boy follows Kazuho's inner struggle. Between the urge for death and the hope for tomorrow, he quietly fights on and shows the struggles of young adults worldwide.

Running time: 00:22:37