Prophet Town (United States) by Dan Howlett

This documentary follows the extraordinary political awakening of Hildale, Utah, a town long dominated by the imprisoned fundamentalist prophet Warren Jeffs, whose influence continues to shape every aspect of life through religious control, land ownership, and fear. At the heart of the film is Donia Jessop, a former member of Jeffs’ church who returns to her hometown to run in its first-ever democratic mayoral election. Her campaign becomes a catalyst for reckoning with a century-long system of polygamy, indoctrination, and systemic abuse that fractured families, exiled young men, and normalized the exploitation of women and children.

Interweaving the history of the Short Creek community with the unfolding election, the film reveals how a theocratic dictatorship was built—and how it begins to unravel. While Jeffs’ crimes form the backdrop, the focus remains firmly on the present: the resistance Donia faces, the entrenched misogyny she challenges, and the personal cost of confronting a belief system she once held dear.

Crucially, the documentary also gives voice to those who remain loyal to Jeffs. Through unprecedented access to current FLDS members, the film presents a nuanced portrait of a divided town, where faith, fear, and identity collide as returning apostates and long-time followers battle for the future of their community. Rather than a sensational account of one man’s crimes, the film is a political and human story about power, belief, and the possibility of change. It is the final chapter in a long struggle—and a rare portrait of democracy taking root in one of the most controlled communities in America.

Running time: 01:28:27

Seconds Away (United States) by Benjamin Kegan

A runner chasing Olympic dreams. A coach facing cancer. A story about mentorship, resilience, and showing up for each other.  SECONDS AWAY follows Belgian-American runner Peter Callahan and his longtime coach, Patrick McHugh, as they chase a qualifying time fast enough to make the Olympic Games—a dream made more urgent by the coach’s recent cancer diagnosis. Moving seamlessly between breathtaking race footage and intimate verité cinematography, director Benjamin Kegan penetrates the more frightening existential questions lurking beneath a quest for Olympic glory and what it means to devote one’s life to a dream. A profound and moving portrait of the vulnerable relationship between a star athlete and his coach, the film deftly observes how these two men rely on each other to persevere in the face of uncertainty, build a friendship that transcends sport, and form a lifeline for one another on and off the track.

Running time: 01:24:00

Nothing to See Here: Watts (United States) by Michael Soenen

A Defiant Act of Radical Self-Representation that Unites Enemies and Saves Lives. What happens when an outsider rides with police officers through Watts, a 2.1 square mile neighborhood in South Los Angeles, long known as one of the most violent and divided communities in the country?  That night, he witnessed shootings, murders, and heartbreak. He went home, just five miles away, waiting to see the story on the news.  There was nothing. No coverage. No mention. Shocked by the silence, looking for answers, he asked more than 200 people to film their lives, using nothing but the iPhones he gave them; 20 said yes.  Among them were rival gang members, police officers, community activists, victims, and survivors.  For the next three years, they opened their world to the camera, sharing their community as never before, and in the process, the incredible happened.

Running time: 01:30:00

Let it Dance (Australia) by Carolyn Corkindale

Born of a poor family in Paris, Guy Detot transforms himself through passion and luck into an international ballet dancer, dancing with Pina Bausch in The Rite of Spring and the Ballet Rambert. In 1982 Guy moves to Australia for love,  and  works with the Australian Dance Theatre, before being retired out of ballet and embarking on a journey to use his love of movement to create emotion-driven wood sculptures, based in Penola, South Australia.

Running time: 01:20:25

Where is Love? (United Kingdom) by Trojan Women Project

The extraordinary story of the first ever Arabic production of the musical Oliver! with a junior cast of Syrian refugee children, in Jordan, supported by Sir Cameron Mackintosh

Running time: 01:13:06

Ottilie Moore’s Protégé Charlotte Salomon (United States) by Dana Plays

Charlotte Salomon embarked on the creation of widely eccentric artistic endeavor to save her own life after learning she was the sole survivor of her maternal line all of whom committed suicide. That endeavor was Life? or Theater?  – an epic autobiographical work of art created by German-Jewish artist Charlotte Salomon between 1940 and 1942 while in hiding in the South of France, consisting of over 1300 gouache paintings, of which 769 were selected accompanied by text overlays and musical annotations, which narrate her life story, family tragedies, and experiences in Nazi Germany. Ottilie Moore sheltered Charlotte Salomon from 1938-1943, during WWII. "Life? or Theater?" Charlotte Salomon's magnum opus, dedicated to Ottilie Moore, was created between 1940 and 1942 (eighteen months at L'Hermitage and four months at nearby Hotel Belle Aurore in Saint Jean Cap-Ferrat in the Cote d’Azur).  

Running time: 01:02:53

Matahari — The Sun of Tiganderket (Indonesia) by Bagoes Kresnawan

When an elephant dies, its ivory remains, when a man dies, his name remains. Behind Masri Singarimbun’s name lies an inspiring colorful history and rich legacy. Masri Singarimbun was an avant-garde intellectual legend,  a prolific author, a rigorous researcher, a brilliant observer, a softhearted artist, a committed teacher, and a sympathetic mentor. Above all, he was a truly thinking man who was always concerned about his fellow human beings and their real problems. He was the splendid sun from the Karo land. 

Running time: 00:42:37

KIN - Dudi & Jojo (Australia) by Tumeli Tuqota

This film sees iTaukei Fijian-Australian vocalists and twin sisters Ruci (Dudi) Kaisila and Joanne (Jojo) Kaisila debut as writers and filmmakers, exploring their deeply personal insights into Fiji, its culture, the diaspora and their lives as burgeoning cultural custodians and singers in a Gospel family. A story of ancestral consciousness told in animation and live action

Running time: 00:25:00

The Measured Approach (United Kingdom) by Giulia Heaton

A gripping and educational Verbatim Film in the style of docufiction. We follow the narrative of a young woman’s pregnancy, and accompany her through the journey of her momentous decision. The visuals depicted are supported by first-hand verbatim retellings - and our reenacted interviews offer authentic insight towards some of life's most exposing experiences: sex, childhood, pregnancy, and termination. 

Running time: 00:24:50

Simulating Space (United States) by Dave Croyle

The space industry is undergoing unprecedented transformation, spearheaded by scrappy start ups, ambitious national space programs, and bold innovators.  In this documentary, we explore how simulation is revolutionizing the space sector, pushing the limits of innovation, and driving mission success in an increasingly challenging and unforgiving environment.

Running time: 00:21:11

Touching fish (China) by Yongjin Li

The Chinese internet slang “MoYú,” which literally means “touching fish,” began as a humorous way to describe slacking off at work. But in today’s China, it has taken on a deeper meaning: a quiet, subtle response to the relentless pressure of a hyper-competitive work culture.

Running time: 00:12:40

A Birmingham Symphony (United Kingdom) by Jemma Saunders

A poetic exploration of Birmingham, inspired by the city symphony films of the 1920s and 1930s, in which a personal place-mosaic is created through a sonic-screen collaboration between filmmaker and composer.

Running time: 00:12:04

Ujvala Jupalli: Asterisk Athlete (United States) by Josephine Harrison

A meditative documentary following the story of Ujvala as she details what being an athlete means to her and the first time she realized she wasn't just an athlete but a female athlete. We see aspects of her training, and also more reflective moments as she tells her story. 

Running time: 00:09:00