The Focus: Idea competition includes films that surprise with their form and approach to the subject. Their authors often use well-known conventions to tell in an unusual way about problems and phenomena seemingly incompatible with a comedy or a musical. They prove that cinema can still be surprising.

After Dawn, dir. Yohann Kouam (France) 2023, 25’, 15+

With the dawn begins the odyssey of three people from the same neighborhood: Yves, a thirty something Berlin based artist, Hamza, a 14-year-old deaf boy, and Déborah, a lonely basketball coach.

Film presented at e.g. Clermont-Ferrand ISFF and Gijón IFF. Polish premiere.

Bolero, dir. Nans Laborde-Jourdàa (France) 2023, 17’, 16+

Fran is in his hometown to rest and visit his mother. Following the jerky rhythm of Bolero, this journey along the paths of memory and desire will lead him and the whole village to a joyfully chaotic climax.

Film awarded at e.g. Cannes IFF.

Peeper, dir. Chang-lok Han (Republic of Korea) 2024, 17’, 18+

A woman tells her favorite director a story of a little girl and a stable. She hopes that it will inspire him to make a new film.

Film presented at the Rotterdam IFF. Polish premiere.

I’m Not a Robot, dir. Victoria Warmerdam (Netherlands) 2023, 22’, 16+

After repeatedly failing Captcha tests, music producer Lara becomes obsessed with a disturbing question: could she possibly be a robot?

Film awarded at e.g. Sitges IFF and Flickerfest ISFF.

Stranger, dir. Jehnny Beth, Iris Chassaigne (France) 2023, 19’, 15+

For the past 548 days, A has been absent from her own life, unable to feel anything. One night, J appears and takes her along with her, looking for ways to make her heart beat again.

Film presented at Cannes IFF. Polish premiere.