The Focus: Emotions competition is devoted to short dramas that evoke strong emotions in the audience. Sorrow mixes with joy, excitement with powerlessness, and sometimes, it brings out some tears. This cinema from all around the world makes us realise that although our cultures often differ, we are very similar when it comes to emotions.

Not a Word, dir. Elodie Wallace (France) 2020, 18’, 16+

Alice gets lost in the maze of a hospital, driven by the need to find a patient who should hear something really important. But is she able to express it all in words?

Coo-Coo, dir. Svetlana Belorussova (Russian Federation) 2021, 19’, 16+

Dasha, a young biologist, prepares to defend her Ph.D. Her advisor piles up problems, and her bigoted mother forces night prayers on her. Will Dasha manage to get out of this emotional clinch? Polish premiere.

Vincent Before Noon, dir. Guillaume Mainguet (France) 2020, 18’, 15+

A father pays his son a visit after years of conflict and turns up in the middle of his house move. Vincent doesn’t feel like talking, but his father has something important to tell him.

Finale, dir. Stéphan Castang (France) 2020, 26’, 18+

July 15, 2018, it’s the World Cup final. A group of eldery people are watching the game at a retirement home. While France is playing against Croatia, Chantal, François and Jean-Pierre are experiencing their last loves. Film awarded e.g. at Brussels SFF. Polish premiere.