DOCUMENTARY SHORTS IN COMPETITION

Five documentary short films from across the world – Algeria, Brazil, India, Morocco, Myanmar, Tunisia, UK, and USA – are nominated for the Unity in Diversity Best Documentary Short Award worth Rs.25,000 supported by K.F.Patil Charitable Trust.

DEAR SAHITHYA Director: Leo Paapam 23 min | 2023 | India | English, Hindi Dear Sahithya is a filmic letter from the director to their friend Sahithya, who is about to transform their body and soul with a double incision mastectomy. The director bears witness and records this pivotal moment in their life, and shares their journey of finding acceptance as a trans non-binary person in a suburban middle class world.

MAGHREB’S HOPE Director: Bassem Ben Brahim 24 min | 2023 | Algeria, Brazil, Morocco, Tunisia | Arabic Queer individuals from the Big Maghreb region share their stories, spanning across their home countries and various locations worldwide. Through a fusion of drawing, animation techniques, and real-life footage, these artistic portrayals highlight the experiences of queer individuals from the “BIG Maghreb” region, including Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.

THE ABCs OF BOOK BANNING Dir: Sheila Nevins 27 min / 2023 / USA / English In recent years, more than 2,500 books have been removed from school districts around the US, labeled as banned, restricted, or challenged, and made unavailable to millions of students. By no accident, the themes targeted are the usual scapegoats of the American Right—LGBTQ+ issues, Black History, and women’s empowerment—impeding the power of future generations to develop their own thoughts and opinions on critical social issues. By weaving together a lyrical montage of young readers and authors, THE ABCs OF BOOK BANNING reveals the voices of the impacted parties, and inspires hope for the future through the profound insights of inquisitive youthful minds.

THE BUS DRIVER Director: Ku Ki 22 min | 2024 | Myanmar | Burmese This film explores the challenges of a bus conductor and his wife to make ends meet, having to cope with the long working hours and the daily power cuts in Myanmar. Yet, this queer couple seems to be completely integrated and accepted in their community despite LGBTQIA+ being legally persecuted by the military regime.

THEIR VOICE Director: Megan Rossman 14 min | 2023 | USA | English Their Voice follows performer Kristyn Michele as they transition from mezzo-soprano to tenor and are cast in the first ever off-Broadway musical performed by an all trans and non-binary cast.