SAPPORO SHORT FEST 2024

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME

BLACK AMBER

A recycled mannequin questions her identity and purpose.

Ellie Foumbi

Fiction, Sci-fi | USA | 2024 | 0:02:14

SHIRIN’S BITTER TEARS

Shirin, a female filmmaker under a travel ban due to restrictions on artistic activities, has turned to street vending and in order to reclaim her confiscated items, she enters the cold and harsh environment of the municipal office.

Amin Fallah

Fiction, Drama | Iran | 2024 | 0:07:00

DISTANT WATER WON'T QUENCH IMMEDIATE THIRST

Originally intending to document the daily routine of my summer return home, I inadvertently sparked a family argument over my post-graduation plans. My parents questioned the income and stability of a career in documentary filmmaking. Thus, I endeavored to use my filming as a means to help my parents understand why I wanted to pursue documentaries, in a bid to save documentary filmmaking through a documentary. After a series of efforts and unexpected events, although we couldn't fully understand each other, at least our communication increased. I even interviewed my mother for the first time, which brought me more joy than the film itself. Sharing this process of mending, I hope friends in similar situations can find some empathy and warmth, and attempt to bond increasingly atomized families of 2024 with love.

Zijie Zhou

Documentary, Portrait | China | 2024 | 0:23:14 | Student Film

STRONGHOLD

When a group home for boys closes and a single mother who has regained custody of her son does not show up on the final day, the house mother must go in search of the boy’s mom before heading off to her new life where she hopes to reconcile with her own estranged daughter.

Meghann Artes

Fiction, Drama | USA | 2024 | 0:15:12

UKRAINE'S FRONTLINE SACRIFICE

Both Kyiv and Moscow have been downplaying or remaining silent about the number of soldiers killed and wounded, but the casualties are comparable to those of the First World War. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the count of soldiers killed or wounded has been the best-kept secrets. However, Ukrainian soldiers are beginning to speak out about the massacre on both sides of a stagnant, bloody frontline. 'Point of no return' allows soldiers, front-line paramedics, and veterans who have survived the war with terrible injuries to describe the reality of Ukraine's Russian war, and follow the Ukrainian officers in charge personally, delivering death notifications to the loved ones and relatives of fallen soldiers. We also hear the stories of volunteers who risk their lives to recover the corpses of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers.

Raul Gallego Abellan

Documentary, Curernt affairs | Spain | 2023 | 0:17:31

I PROMISE YOU PARADISE

Following a violent incident; Eissa a 17 years old African migrant in Egypt is in a quest against time to save his loved ones whatever it takes.

Morad Mostafa

Fiction, Drama | Egypt | 2023 | 0:25:00

  • Mature
  • Mature/Nudity
  • Student Director

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