This year, 12 narrative and 12 documentary features will compete for cash prizes of more than £119,000 as well as artwork from the Artists Awards programme, featuring donated work from renowned artists including Stephen Hannock, Robert Longo, William Wegman and Dustin Yellin.
One week in the life of 16-year-old troublemaker Nader, who, despite his mother’s threats and family’s insistence that he respect his Muslim roots, fights, steals and pursues an Italian girlfriend.
Zaman is not looking to rush to judgement of his characters but to explore what makes them tick and give a feel for how traditions get passed down the generations.
A youngster from Kurdistan tracks his sister across Europe after she flees before her wedding.
(Country: Norway, Germany, Iraq; Year: 2013; Director: Hisham Zaman; Writer: Kjell Ola Dahl, Hisham Zaman; Stars: Billey Demirtas, Eva Medusa Gühne, Suzan Ilir, Nazmi Kirik, Jin Musa, Bahar Ozen, Volga Sorgu, Abdullah Taher, Mohammed Tejir, Birol Ünel)
Nearing the end of her treatment for breast cancer, Lily focuses on life with newfound clarity, reevaluating her relationship with an older man and her feelings about her long-absent father.
(Country: US; Year: 2013; Director: Matt Creed; Writer: Matt Creed, Amy Grantham; Stars: Amy Grantham)
The spirit of childhood skips and giggles through The Rocket even though Kim Mordaunt's debut fiction feature touches on deeply disturbing humanitarian issues.
A youngster and his family try to forge a new life after being displaced by a dam.
(Country: Australia; Year: 2013; Director: Kim Mordaunt; Writer: Kim Mordaunt; Stars: Sitthiphon Disamoe, Loungnam Kaosainam, Alice Keohavong, Thep Phongam, Sumrit Warin)
Director Jonathan Gurfinkel's film rides a deeply uncomfortable societal line between misogynistic conservatism and liberation through feminism.
A deep dive into the grey area of sexual abuse told through the story of Gili, a teenager who in order to improve her lame social status hooks up with several different boys, all from her new school.
Quickie-mart employee Melissa and paraplegic Richie are very much in love. Supported only by Melissa’s small hourly wage, they are nevertheless thrilled to learn that Melissa is pregnant. Then their situation deteriorates, and their tenuous financial situation threatens to bring their happy life crashing down.
(Director: Laurie Collyer; Writer: Laurie Collyer; Stars: Naomi Watts, Norman Reedu, Matt Dillon, William Haze, Tess Harper, Antoni Corone, Vivian Fleming-Alvarez, Keith Hudson, Victoria Vodar, Michele Feren, Rachael Thompson, Fernando Martinez, Nicole Paris Williams, Ward G Smith, Gabriel Alexander)
World premiere
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
A married man whose wife wants another child tentatively reconnects with his gay identity.
(Country: Taiwan; Year: 2013; Director: Arvin Chen; Stars: Richie Jen, Mavis Fan, Stone, Kimi Hsia, Lawrence Ko)
