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.

Appalachia, dir. Roxana Stroe (Romania) 2022, 28’, 15+
Leo, a 17-year-old biker, and Raisa, the daughter of the pastor of a small conservative village in Romania, fall in love at the first sight. Will their love survive in an unfavorable environment?
Film presented at e.g. Cork IFF.

Taste Life, dir. Léo-Antonin Lutinier (France) 2023, 25’, 16+
Antonin is no longer young, but he certainly does not behave like men his age. He is unpredictable, often cheeky, funny, and sometimes pathetic. Can someone like that find their place in society?
Film awarded at the Contis FF. Polish premiere.

Don’t Cry Gabriel, dir. Mathilde Chavanne (France) 2023, 24’, 16+
Gabriel is bad, the world is bad, everything’s bad. Hopefully, sometimes, lost souls attract each other…
Film presented at e.g. Cannes IFF. Polish premiere.