The Compaquitos in Togo (2024)

Many Beautiful Things

In an age when women were incapable of joining the artistic dialogue, Lilias Trotter managed to win the favour of celebrated critics.

The Sweet Taste of Success

A transformative experience, this emotional documentary addresses some of the most pressing issues of the 21st century, reflecting on happiness, social connection, daily life, death, and aging, while exploring doubts about the "word of a thousand shades and somewhat perverse" concept of success. This film has the potential to change your life and your perspective on the true meaning of success. An intimate reflection on success, it features María Teresa Paniagua, a joyful and unique octogenarian Zarzuela singer. The documentary offers surprising insights from interviews with notable figures from the worlds of art, science, and intellectual thought, including actress Rossy de Palma, philosophers Fernando Savater and Javier Sádaba, tenor Plácido Domingo, monk Matthieu Ricard, psychiatrist Martin Seligman, Harvard professor Nancy Etcoff, and TED Talk speaker and writer Victor Küppers, among others. This documentary is a balm for the soul.

RUNN

"RUNN" is a heartfelt portrayal of one man’s, Nedd Brockmann’s, extraordinary mission to make a difference. As he runs across Australia raising money for homelessness, we witness Nedd's humour, grit, mullet and profound humanity, reminding us that even in the vastness of the Australian landscape, one person's determination can ignite a movement and change lives for the better.

RM: Right People, Wrong Place

Chronicles artist RM's eight-month production of his second solo album, “Right Place, Wrong Person,” while candidly recording the endless concerns of the person Kim Namjoon, and the things he immerses himself in and loves.

Full Circle

Faced with a traumatic injury that renders you permanently disabled; how would you reinvent yourself? Full Circle tells the story of Trevor Kennison and Barry Corbet’s shared resiliency and refusal to let their passion for life be limited by Spinal Cord Injury. It is an unblinking examination of the challenges of Spinal Cord Injury, and a celebration of the growth that such tragedy can catalyze.

UnCharitable

After three of the most dynamic and successful U.S. charities were shut down by conservative charity watchdogs, destroying lives and cutting off precious resources, many of the top influencers in the field knew something had to be done to overhaul the nonprofit sector. Led by Dan Pallotta, whose record-breaking TED Talk on the subject has inspired leading philanthropists and changemakers, this feature-length documentary directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal exposes the dark side of philanthropy and introduces a radical new way of giving. In a powerful call to action, Uncharitable demands that charities be freed from the traditional sackcloth-and-ashes constraints, so that they can truly change the world.

Inside the Mind of a Cat

Cat experts dive into the mind of the feline to reveal the true capabilities of the pouncing pet in this captivating and cuddly documentary.

Inside the Dream: Mugler

Revolutionary fragrances, Haute Couture and spectacular shows: in the world of luxury, Thierry Mugler broke every code. Enter into the backstage of the House: from treasured archives to new creations, from the conception of a new fragrance to designing a ready-to-wear collection with Casey Cadwallader, Mugler Fashion Creative Director, to a frenetic catwalk.

Iracemas

In the capital of Ceara, Iracema is the name of many women. It is the name of schools, guesthouses, bakeries, laundries, steakhouses, Iracema is the name of beaches.

The Boy of The Fish

"The Boy Of The Fish" follows Noon, a young boy living in a Syrian refugee camp, who finds solace and a sense of freedom in a whale-shaped doll he names "Bahr." Set against the challenging realities of camp life, Noon’s journey is both a story of resilience and a testament to the boundless imagination of childhood. Through vivid symbolism and a unique soundscape, the film explores themes of loss, hope, and the longing for freedom amidst confinement. Shot entirely on an iPhone due to restrictions in the conflict zone, the film combines raw authenticity with poetic depth to capture the emotional landscape of a young soul navigating adversity.

To the Sea

Before leaving for Rome with his mother, five year old Natan is taken by his father, Jorge, on an epic journey to the pristine Chinchorro reef off the coast of Mexico. As they fish, swim, and sail the turquoise waters of the open sea, Natan discovers the beauty of his Mayan heritage and learns to live in harmony with life above and below the surface, as the bond between father and son grows stronger before their inevitable farewell.

The Gospel According to André

From the segregated American South to the fashion capitals of the world, operatic fashion editor André Leon Talley's life and career are on full display, in a poignant portrait that includes appearances by Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Bethann Hardison, Valentino, and Manolo Blahnik.

The Donut King

Cambodian refugee Ted Ngoy builds a multi-million dollar empire by baking America's favourite pastry: the doughnut.

Becoming Black

In the 1960s, a white couple living in East Germany tells their dark-skinned child that her skin color is merely a coincidence. As a teenager, she accidentally discovers the truth. Years before, a group of African men came to study in a village nearby. Sigrid, an East German woman, fell in love with Lucien from Togo and became pregnant. But she was already married to Armin. The child is Togolese-East German filmmaker Ines Johnson-Spain. In interviews with Armin and others from her childhood years, she tracks the astonishing strategies of denial her parents, striving for normality, developed following her birth. What sounds like fieldwork about social dislocation becomes an autobiographical essay film and a reflection on themes such as identity, social norms and family ties, viewed from a very personal perspective.

Kekaiulu Hula Studio

Kekaiulu Hula Studio follows the Proclaimed Hula Halau of the same name, showcasing their twist on what the real reason for hula is and what life as a dancer in the halau is really like. Something previously unseen in the public eye.

Top Rider

An in-depth look into the isolated sport of Motocross in the much more isolated island of Bermuda.

Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know

Black holes stand at the limit of what we can know. To explore that edge of knowledge, the Event Horizon Telescope links observatories across the world to simulate an earth-sized instrument. With this tool the team pursues the first-ever picture of a black hole, resulting in an image seen by billions of people in April 2019. Meanwhile, Hawking and his team attack the black hole paradox at the heart of theoretical physics—Do predictive laws still function, even in these massive distortions of space and time? Weaving them together is a third strand, philosophical and exploratory using expressive animation. “Edge” is about practicing science at the highest level, a film where observation, theory, and philosophy combine to grasp these most mysterious objects.

Maya and the Wave

After a brush with death, Maya Gabeira makes history in the male-dominated world of big wave surfing.

The Ladies With Style

The multi-generational story of women’s football in South Africa through the ambitious Mamelodi Sundowns FC. The film follows the team as they battle it out at the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League in Cairo.

A Life on the Farm

A strange story from Somerset, England about a filmmaking farmer and the inspiring legacy of his long-lost home movies.

First Thing Sunday

Jyire holds a motocross race in his hometown, where he must adhere to the park’s restrictions and drown out the public’s concern.

Fixed

A friendly football match between Bahrein and Togo in 2010, turns out to be rigged, as the team representing Togo is a fake team set up by international gamblers. The bad guys turn out to be victims, the good guy is revealed as the international gambling criminal while the top crooks stay out of sight since they have the power to determine who’ll be convicted. A revealing peek into a hidden world.

Fire of Love

A doomed love triangle between intrepid French scientists Katia and Maurice Krafft, and their beloved volcanoes.

Avicii - I'm Tim

Before Avicii, there was Tim. Through his own words, witness how a prodigious musical talent became one of the defining artists of his generation.

Lost and Found

"Lost and Found" is an inspiring feature documentary film about overcoming homelessness and addiction in the City of Los Angeles.

Our Dad, Danielle

The extraordinary story of a world-renowned patent attorney in Sugar Land, Texas who, at 57, came out as a trans woman and is now navigating LGBTQ+ issues and fighting for trans rights in the vortex of Texas conservatism, as she and her family challenge the idea of what modern love looks like.

Every Body

Three intersex individuals overcame shame, secrecy and unauthorized surgery throughout their childhoods to enjoy successful adulthoods, choosing to ignore medical advice to conceal their bodies and coming out as who they truly are.

Memphis - Echoes of a New World

Memphis Depay’s new short documentary reveals his journey to Corinthians, his personal life in Brazil, and his dream of becoming the all-time top scorer for the Dutch National Team. An intimate portrait of transformation, belonging, and a deep bond with the local fans.

Mayor of Lowell

This short documentary chronicles the culture and arts of Cambodian Americans and the Lowell, MA community through the eyes of Sokhary Chau, the first Cambodian American Mayor in the United States. Chau immigrated to the U.S. at seven years old to escape the Khmer Rouge genocide. Through this unique story that showcases the best of Lowell—immigrant success, assimilation, history, and the development of the arts—we see a man born into a war-torn country who comes to America to be a first-in-the-nation leader.

The Minimalists: Less Is Now

They've built a movement out of minimalism. Longtime friends Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus share how our lives can be better with less.

Divine Divas

Eight iconic performers of the first generation of Brazilian transvestite artists go on stage to celebrate their 50th career jubilee. The film depicts the human, personal dimension behind these icons, deconstructing gender stereotypes.

Clean

When illness forces her away from her beloved trauma cleaning business, Sandra Pankhurst faces up to her traumatic past and begins a search for her birth mother.

Brené Brown: The Call to Courage

Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent more than a decade studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity and shame. With two TED talks under her belt, Brené Brown brings her humor and empathy to Netflix to discuss what it takes to choose courage over comfort in a culture defined by scarcity, fear and uncertainty.

In Three Acts

When an 80 year old intellectual is confronted with issues of old age and death, she reminisces the death of her mother that happened 30 years earlier. With dialogue inspired by Simone de Beauvoir mixed with contemporary dance, the cycle of life is exposed in a poetic manner.

Treehugger

Alabama is the Southernmost home of the Eastern Hemlock, a special grove of trees protected by Wild Alabama, who monitor against an incoming invasive species.

Girl Like You

Over six years, a couple battles to stay together as one of them transitions genders; confronting the effects of new body parts, changing gender roles as well as navigating their own evolving sexual identities.

Beyond the Tree Line

A captivating feature-length documentary that chronicles the remarkable journey of the Sutton family as they trek the entire Appalachian Trail, covering 2,193 miles of wilderness terrain with their 4-year-old son, Harvey Sutton, before he starts kindergarten.

Break Free - Two People. Two Years. One Dream

When Lena and Ulli start the engine of their old Land Rover, Lady Terés, they have a plan: to drive from Hamburg to South Africa in six months. What they don't know yet is that they won't ever get there. Two totally different characters, jammed together in two square meters of space for almost two years, they experience what it really means to travel: leaving your comfort zone for good.

The Drop-Off

Overwhelmed by her uncharted direction in life, a young woman leaves a voicemail to her future self, reflecting on her past and questioning her future.

Canada Vertical

After years of preparation, a team of highly motivated Quebeckers set out on one of the longest wilderness expeditions ever documented. Stage one involves skiing in relentless polar conditions from Ellesmere Island to the Northwest Passage where the challenge was reaching the mainland. Cue canoes for a 2000km journey across Nunavut and NWT until they reach the first dirt road available where bikes are waiting to be pedalled 4000km to Point Pelee in Ontario.

Title Fight

When Avtar Bhullar immigrates to British Columbia, he faces systemic racism and physical intimidation—his answer: Kushti, a traditional Indian form of wrestling. Determined to protect his son from the same fate, Avtar trains a young Arjan Singh Bhullar in Kushti. Fast forward to 2021—Arjan, now a Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist, prepares to challenge Brandon Vera for the ONE FC World Heavyweight Title. But this is more than a fight—it’s a battle for identity, pride, and the hopes of two nations: Canada and India. Featuring exclusive commentary from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ariel Helwani, Daniel Cormier, and Russell Peters, Title Fight is a deeply human story about heritage, resilience, and triumph.

Vodu Between two worlds

Voodoo tradition is too often victim of misperceptions and stereotypes in the Western imagination. In Togo, Voodoo is revealed in all its splendour and complexity. Through spectacular ceremonies, consultations and rites, an intimate connection is revealed that unites the visible world with that of invisible forces. By giving a voice to those who live and practise Voodoo, an authentic and nuanced perspective emerges, revealing the richness of this mysterious spirituality. It's a genuine burst of curiosity about a living heritage and the sumptuousness of its traditions.

Big Boss

The story of 95-year-old Aboriginal elder Laurie Baymarrwangga and her work to maintain the language and cultural traditions of the Yan-nhangu people of Murrungga.

Disconnected

Disconnected is a compelling documentary that delves into the psychological and social impacts of social media and video game consumption. Directed and edited by 16-year-old Irish filmmaker Sol Stuart, this thought-provoking film sheds light on the science behind digital addiction and its effects on mental health, productivity, and social relationships. Blending scientific research with personal perspectives, Stuart interviews fellow student Colm Prole, who shares his insights and opinions on the growing influence of technology in modern life. Through candid discussions and careful analysis, the documentary challenges viewers to reflect on their own digital habits and consider healthier approaches to technology use. Created as an entry for the 2024 Trócaire Right Focus Competition, Disconnected earned a well-deserved third place, showcasing Stuart’s talent as a rising filmmaker and his commitment to addressing urgent social issues.

The Abramović Method Practiced by Lady Gaga

At a three-day retreat in upstate New York, Marina instructed Lady Gaga in the Abramovic Method—a series of exercises designed to heighten participants' awareness of their physical and mental experience in the present moment.

Your Mind Matters

When Roger Lee slips on his front steps, he has no idea the fall will send him spiralling into the darkest chapter of his life. Injured, and drowning in despair, he hits rock bottom—until he discovers the power of his own words. Through pain, he finds purpose, turning his struggle into wisdom that inspires millions. Now, as a world-renowned speaker, he lifts others the way he once needed lifting. A raw and uplifting story of resilience, reinvention, and the unexpected ways we rise.

Something to Stand for with Mike Rowe

Drawing from his blockbuster podcast “The Way I Heard It”, this cinematic tour de force will take viewers to the frontlines of the American Revolution, World War II, the Civil Rights movement, and more. Part mystery, part history – each harrowing tale tells a story you’ve never heard, about the patriots who built our country. From the legendary rebels we call the “Founding Fathers” to unknown Marines of Iwo Jima – these are the Americans who risked everything to build the country we love and call home. The American heroes who gave us… something to stand for!

Back on Track: Rebuilding the Waupaca Depot

The film chronicles the remarkable saga of Mike Kirk, a devoted model train enthusiast, whose unwavering determination, along with the support of a dedicated circle of family and friends, spearheaded the decades-long restoration of the long-abandoned train depot nestled in the heart of rural Waupaca. Through Kirk's indomitable spirit and vision, the Waupaca Depot emerges as a phoenix rising from literal ashes, symbolizing resilience and community revival. ​ "Back on Track" transcends the boundaries of a mere restoration project, delving deep into the rich tapestry of American history and the birth of rural communities. This film explores the intertwined narratives of Kirk's personal quest and the broader narrative of American heritage.

Al-Awja 17:47

Inspired by a true event, the film tells the story of a Saudi Tornado aircraft that suffered a sudden technical failure while returning from an operational mission on January 7, 2018. In the heart of the combat zone, as risks escalate, a search and rescue operation is launched to save the crew—a mission that embodies courage and dedication.