Program series: New Directors

In 78 Days, we get to see the everyday life of three sisters in wartime on the Serbian countryside in 1999. The film is portrayed as a video diary from the girls' perspective. The home video camera captures them doing everyday activities such as putting on makeup, picking cherries, doing homework, or helping with cooking.

Xia You is trapped in a violent marriage. One day, while searching for tickets to a Faye Wong concert, she unexpectedly encounters Xu Zitai, a young man suffering from a terminal illness. Their fates intertwine, leading them on a journey that is both physical and emotional.

The idyllic summer abruptly ends for sisters Ernesta and Juste and their families. What was meant to be a pleasant weekend at a lakeside vacation home takes a dark turn when a tragic accident occurs, putting everyone to the test.

Even the end of the world can be happy—if you're with the right people.

This could be one way to interpret the message of Neo Sora’s feature debut, Happyend.

As Tokyo’s population braces for a potentially catastrophic earthquake, schoolmates and best friends Yuta and Kou decide to pull a special prank at their principal’s expense. The fallout leads to the implementation of a strict surveillance system at their school, straining the once unbreakable bond between the two companions.

The traveling magician, Mr. K, checks into a hotel. Suddenly, he finds himself trapped in a Kafkaesque nightmare when he cannot find his way out the next morning. As he searches for an exit, he encounters a series of strange characters who either live or work at the hotel. At the same time, it seems as though the hotel itself is alive and breathing. What is happening to the walls? And why does a marching band appear in the corridor every time Mr. K thinks he is close to escaping?

Under the scorching Turkish sun, a group of workers toils to dry endless amounts of tomatoes while waiting for their wages from their boss, Hemme. This is especially critical for Eyüp, as he is in debt. When the money doesn’t come, the situation worsens, and Eyüp decides he must kill Hemme—but will today be the day? Revenge is easier said than done, especially with so many obstacles and distractions along the way.

Bernhard Wenger’s Peacock offers a unique and memorable story about Matthias, played by Albrecht Schuch. Matthias has made a career out of renting himself out as whatever his clients need—a cultured boyfriend to impress friends, an exemplary son to make a good impression, or even a debate partner to sharpen their arguments. However, his work takes a toll on his personal life. How good is he at being himself? Peacock masterfully balances humor and depth, with every detail carefully placed and dialogue that sparkles.

Rains over Babel is a playful and extravagant interpretation of the classic book The Divine Comedy. Centered around Babel, a legendary nightclub and purgatory in this tale, we meet La Flaca, the Grim Reaper himself, who claims his victims through games and trickery. Win or lose – here, life is gambled away in years.

Unemployed ice cream truck driver Michael Larson joins the popular American game show Press Your Luck. During the show, he cracks the code on how to truly win big money. The production team scrambles to prevent the situation from bankrupting them. In his pursuit of the American dream, Larson’s motives are questioned—does he really have a fair game plan, or is something more deceitful at play?

Where the Wind Comes From follows 19-year-old rebel Alyssa and shy 23-year-old Mehdi, two young people dreaming of escaping their limited reality in Tunis. When they discover an art competition on the island of Djerba, with a prize that could offer them a way out, they embark on an adventurous road trip full of challenges, dangers, and unexpected encounters.