Deleau: Cinema Unchained | Michel La Veaux | Canada | 1:39:00

 

Synopsis:

A humanistic documentary, carrying essential values, about the "soul" of the Directors' Fortnight at Cannes: Pierre-Henri Deleau. A formidable intermediary. A man of influence, with great sensitivity and vast culture, the defender of bold and avant-garde cinema. Deleau: Cinema in Freedom traces an era when cinema was still being discovered, through the testimonies of the greatest: Haneke, Loach, Arcand.

 

Herland | Kallol Mukherjee | India | 1:00:00

 

Synopsis:

In a deeply conservative Indian village where women are forbidden from leaving their homes without a man's permission, Bhagyashree and her growing sisterhood dare to challenge the status quo. As they fight for their right to work and break free from generations of patriarchal control, their quiet rebellion gathers strength. But as their voices grow louder, the price of being treated as equals becomes increasingly dangerous. How much are they willing to risk?

 

Mar Musa | Schahab Kermani | Germany | 1:37:00

 

Synopsis:

In the Al Qalamoun mountains of Syria, overlooking the vast desert, stands the ancient Christian monastery of Mar Musa—a beacon of interfaith dialogue and radical hospitality in a fractured land. Through an intimate observational lens, the film follows the monks and nuns as they navigate the aftermath of war, striving to build peace even in the face of profound personal loss. Poetic imagery and a hypnotic score accompany their journey, as Mar Musa gradually emerges as a powerful metaphor for Syria itself.

 

Militantropos | Alina Gorlova, Yelizaveta Smith, Simon Mozgovyi | Austria, France, Ukraine | 1:51:00

 

Synopsis:

Militantropos explores the human condition through the fragmented realities of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The film weaves together the everyday lives of people transformed by war—those forced to flee, those who lose everything, and those who remain to resist and fight—revealing both the instinct to survive and the enduring need for human connection.

Amid devastation and unspeakable violence, the human becomes inseparable from war—and war, in turn, becomes inseparable from the human.

 

Paikar | Dawood Hilmandi | Netherlands | 1:37:00

 

Synopsis:

Dutch-Afghan filmmaker Dawood Hilmandi returns to confront his estranged father—a former mujahideen fighter who became an imam, writer, and poet—in a poetic and deeply human search for love, forgiveness, and understanding. Paikar journeys across Afghanistan, Iran, and the Netherlands, exploring the invisible legacy of war and silence passed down through generations. Through this intimate father-son encounter, Hilmandi invites us to look beyond politics and history, revealing the enduring tenderness that can survive even within the most hardened souls.

 

The Days Will Come | Chema Rodríguez, Chema Ramos | Spain | 1:25:00

 

Synopsis:

In the slow-moving city of Seville, the lives of four friends unfold in harmony with its unhurried rhythm. Carlos, Paco, Serena, and Mike share laughter, fears, dreams, and quiet moments as they navigate life together. The Days Will Come offers an intimate portrait of four people experiencing homelessness, revealing that friendship itself can become a place of belonging and a home in its own right.

 

The Destiny of Panacea | Iván Zahinos | Spain | 1:28:00

 

Synopsis:

Nerea is an emergency room nurse. Surrounded by darkness, she struggles to find a lifeline that can pull her away from a world defined by death, fear, and uncertainty. The Destiny of Panacea is a deeply moving, unflinching, yet profoundly beautiful portrait of the nursing profession.

 

The Land Where the Angel Stumbled | Rodion Ismailov | Azerbaijan, Russian Federation | 1:34:50

 

Synopsis:

Dagestan is one of the world's most linguistically diverse regions, home to 32 languages and around 120 dialects spoken within a remarkably small territory. Through intimate encounters with its people, the film reveals heartfelt reflections on life and death, memories of the past, and hopes for the future. As the voices of Dagestan's many languages unfold, viewers journey into the heart of the region, discovering its spirit, beauty, and the timeless wisdom carried through generations. Sometimes the deepest truths are heard in languages we do not understand, yet feel with our entire being.

 

The Whale Song | Michał Hytroś | Poland | 1:04:00

 

Synopsis:

Krzysztof Globisz, a legendary actor of the National Stary Theatre in Kraków, has collaborated with renowned directors such as Andrzej Wajda, Krzysztof Kieślowski, and Jerzy Jarocki, creating more than 200 memorable roles in film, television, and theater.

The Whale Song tells the story of Globisz's remarkable journey after suffering a devastating stroke in 2014 that left him with aphasia—the loss of the ability to speak. Refusing to let his condition define him, he returns to teaching at a drama school and steps back onto the theater stage to portray a whale, a character who, like himself, communicates in a unique and deeply personal language.

 

Women and Roads: The Way to Yourself – Azerbaijan | Kristina Kretova, Anna Kameneva | United Arab Emirates | 0:52:00

 

Synopsis:

From the vibrant streets of modern Baku to the ancient landscapes of Gobustan, the film traces the legacy of the legendary Amazons as a timeless symbol of female solidarity. Along the journey, women from diverse walks of life share their personal stories, weaving together a powerful portrait of resilience, mutual support, and sisterhood.