MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS (USA) BY JOSHUA VAN HORN​

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Synopsis: A short profile on the bears of the Moscow State Circus based on a passage by John McPhee. Running time: 00:01:02.

Selections/awards: Extremely Shorts FF, MicroMania FF, Big Teeth Small Shorts FF.

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FORGET ME NOT (ITALY) BY GIUSEPPE PETRUZZELLIS, FABIO MARIN

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Synopsis: Gilda is a middle aged woman, mother and wife. One day she realizes she's having problems setting the table. These are her first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Through family footage and poetic visions, the stages of her illness become a stream of images on the breach of oblivion. Running time: 00:12:30.

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Selections/awards: Visioni dal Mondo, MakeDox Skopje, Sedicicorto Forlì IFF, Mescalito Biopic Fest (Best Short), Rome Prisma Independent FF (Best Editing), and more.

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About the director: Giuseppe Petruzzellis (1983) is a screenwriter, film director, producer and editor. He specializes in creative documentaries and has collaborated on over 60 film projects, including 17 features. In 2007 he established the art collective Aplysia, which then became a film production company. Fabio Marin (1985) is an entrepreneur, politician and director. He has produced 3 short movies that all focus on social issues. His professional career revolves around his three main interests: politics, communication and animals. He is the mayor of San Zenone degli Ezzelini (Veneto, Italy) since 2019.

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I GAVE IT TO YOU (USA) BY CLAIRE MASKE

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Synopsis: Two friends discuss guilt and personal responsibility after one transmits covid to another during an already hard time in her life. Running time: 00:02:45.

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ARESCO'S (USA) BY AARON KELLY-PENSO

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Synopsis: Aresco's is a short documentary that follows the night shift at a Connecticut bodega. The film focuses on the community that exists in the bodega, chronicling the humorous and touching interactions between customers and the shopkeeper, Saifullah "Ali" Khan. Running time: 00:12:00.

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Selections/awards: Outer Docs FF, Kansas City Underground FF, Toronto Arthouse FF.

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BABUSHKA (CANADA) BY KRISTINA WAGENBAUER

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Synopsis: A Canadian director visits her grandmother in Russia after 25 years of separation. Travelling through family memories and those of a country, this roller coaster of emotions invites us into an intimate space for reconciliation. Running time: 0025:44.

About the director: Kristina Wagenbauer is a Russian-Swiss-Canadian filmmaker based in Montreal. She lived 1/3 of her life in each country.After directing, writing, and producing several award-winning short films, she co-wrote and directed “Sashinka”, her debut feature film, which was supported by Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch program. Her work has been showcased in 100+ festivals including the Locarno Film Festival, SIFF, FNC and was nominated at the Canadian Screen Awards as well as Quebec Cinema Awards. Kristina studied film directing at L’inis and attended the Locarno Filmmaker’s Lab, the Berlinale Talents, the Eave producer’s workshop, The Canadian Academy Program for Women directors, and Groupe Ouest workshop for scriptwriters in France.

AMERICAN JUSTICE ON TRIAL: PEOPLE V. NEWTON (USA) ANDREW ABRAHAMS, HERB FERRETTE

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Synopsis: In one of the “trials of the century” that still reverberates today, Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton faced the death penalty for killing a white policeman in a late-night car stop in 1967 Oakland. While Newton and his maverick attorneys boldly indicted racism in the courts and the country, and a groundbreaking jury led by a historic Black foreman deliberated Newton’s fate, the streets of Oakland and the nation were set to explode if the jury, as expected, returned a verdict of murder. Running time: 00:39:55.

Selections/awards: Selections/awards: Swedish IFF, Bright IFF (Best Short Documentary), San Francisco IFF, 2023 Academy Awards (Shortlisted, Best Documentary Short), and more.

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About the directors: Founder and president of Open Eye Pictures, Andrew Abrahams is an award winning, two-time Oscar-shortlisted producer/director of creative non-fiction films. He is also a cinematographer and editor. Herb Ferrette is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and editor with 30 years of experience in the communications industry. He’s a seven-time regional Emmy winner and 12-time nominee.