PRAYER OF THE SEA

MARTIN GERIGK, GERMANY
6′ 30”

A composer recounts a dream from his youth that inspired the slow movement of his first string quartet, Prayer of the Sea. The dream, depicting a peaceful dissolution into the sea and wind, symbolized his future death. Decades later, rediscovering a drawing from the quartet’s premiere – perfectly capturing the dream’s essence – revived its emotions. Now older, he reflects on the dream’s message: a serene acceptance of life’s inevitable end.

Prayer of the Sea is an audiovisual elegy offering a calm perspective on the universal experience of passing.

Director Biography

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AUTOMAGIC

ASHOK VISH, FRANCE/INDIA
13′ 02”

On his return home, androgynous-looking Madhu attempts to seduce Ratnakar, his rickshaw driver, who is practicing celibacy in preparation for a religious pilgrimage.

Director Biography

Ashok was one of eight filmmakers selected for the ‘Director’s factory: Philippines’ through the Director’s Fortnight, Cannes
Film Festival and produced by Dominique Welinski of DW Productions. ‘Nightbirds’ premiered at the Quinzaine Des
Cinéastes, Cannes Film Festival 2024. Ashok’s film ‘Automagic’, produced by Claire Chassagne of Dolce Vita films won a post-production grant from the Région Île-de-France/ Paris Region and will premiere at the Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival in February, 2025. ‘Children Playing God’ was screened at the Sharjah Film Platform through the Sharjah Art Foundation and also exhibited at the Migros Museum, Zurich. Additionally, Ashok also works as a film programmer at the New York Indian Film festival, and Arthshila, a private art institution in India.

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RAINING GRACE

CHRYSSA FLOROU, FRANCE
10′

On a rainy day, in a confessional, a woman unexpectedly faces her past.

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IN SILENCE EVERYTING ROARS

AKAKI POPKHADZE, FRANCE
22′ 30”

Georgia. In a mountain village still governed by ancient customs, two young people, Zourab and Natia, are caught making love. The news spreads, and the situation quickly becomes uncontrollable. Desire, family, honor, and tradition are the ingredients of this ensemble film, caught between two worlds.

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LOST ECHO

ANDREW CYR-MARCOUX, CANADA
8′ 20”

In a liminal universe where logic fades, a narcissistic narrator manipulates a lonely young woman trapped in a disturbing cycle of hatred and confusion. A poignant exploration of the inner struggle between power and powerlessness in a world devoid of meaning.

Director Biography

Andrew Cyr-Marcoux is a Quebecois director and VFX artist known for his distinctive visual style and award-winning work in 3D animation and cinema. He studied 3D animation and image synthesis at Cégep Limoilou (2018–2021), where he developed a unique creative and narrative approach enriched by a diverse background in visual arts. In 2025, he also won the Best Emerging Director Award at the Fantasia Festival for his 3D animated short “L’Écho Perdu.” He first gained recognition in 2023 with “You Stay,” which earned him the Emerging Director Award at Fantasia and was selected by festivals including SPASM, Requiem, and HalloweenPalooza. His filmography also features acclaimed works such as ”Fantomaste” (Audience Award at SOFA, 2021) and ”Timothy” (Official Selection at Fantasia, 2021).

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WE DREAMED IN PLACES THAT NO LONGER EXIST

GIORGOS EFTHIMIOU, GREECE
5′ 30”

The filmmaker recalls a day with friends in an abandoned factory in Elaionas, an area of Attica. This factory no longer exists.
The filmmaker is wondering, why all the places where he once felt free no longer exist in this “New World”?

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MAITIGHAR

MARC GURUNG, NEPAL
15′

After a festive evening with her friends in Pokhara, Asha, a young high-school student, discreetly returns to her village. Arriving at her mother’s house, she is unaware that she is about to enter the adult world.

Director Biography

Born in Gouvieux, France, Marc Gurung trained and worked as an editor before turning to writing his own films.

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NA MAREI

LEA-JADE HORLIER, FRANCE
21′ 54”

Zaid, a 15-year-old, lives near Kabul with his mother and sister. Between school, his friends and his hobbies, he seems to be flourishing in a city in ruins after the war. But when his mother tells him it’s time to get married, his ambitions crumble and the heavy secret of his freedom must come to an end.

Director Biography

Léa-Jade was born in France and grew up abroad in Africa and South America. Camera operator and assistant director in the cinema industry for years, and after working with famous directors as Abdellatif Kechich (Mektoub 1, 2, 3), Maïwenn (A.D.N) or Nicolas Bedos (Mascarade), Lea-Jade wanted to start directing, with her film “Matapang”, produced by Piano Sano Films and pre-sales by the tv channel France 2, selected in Clermont-Ferrand festival.
“Na marei” is her second short film, pre-sales by the tv channel Arte.

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GIRLS + SHEEP

ILIA FLORA, GREECE
16′

After three days of torturous insomnia, Miriam and Bilia finally manage to sleep in a tranquil meadow.

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