6/12 7:30pm    Programme 1

                          Goodbye Julia

                          Screened with ALL ABOUT US Young Filmmaker Mentoring Programme Video: The Buraq that can't fly

7/12 3:00pm    Programme 2

                          Shorts Block
                          Screened with ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp Video: Behind the Curtains & Cultural Mosaic: Echoes of Tomorrow

 

7/12 7:30pm     Programme 3

                           Fallen Leaves, Broken Lighters

                          Screened with ALL ABOUT US Young Filmmaker Mentoring Programme Video: Interview With A Creep

8/12 3:00pm    Programme 4

                          The Swallows of Kabul
                          Screened with ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp Video: Two Agents, One Masterpiece & Boundary

8/12 7:30pm    Programme 5

                          Children of the Mist
                          Screened with ALL ABOUT US Young Filmmaker Mentoring Programme Video: Dirt

>> Event has concluded, and registration is now closed.

>> More about ALL ABOUT US events

 

The ALL ABOUT US Film Festival 2024 continues to shine the spotlight on local ethnic minorities. A total of five screening sessions will be held this year, showcasing an array of short films produced by a group of talented ethnic minority youths who participated in the ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp and Young Filmmaker Mentoring Programme. In addition, the film festival will also screen other shorts and feature films covering various themes that explore the stories and challenges different ethnic minorities worldwide face. The topics touch upon traditional customs, the struggles of immigrants adapting to a new life, issues of oppression, and more. This diverse selection of feature films, animations, and short films hails from various countries, including Sudan, France, Vietnam, the United States, Colombia, Mexico, Iran, Hong Kong, and beyond.

 

 

Programme 1: Goodbye Julia
Screened with ALL ABOUT US Young Filmmaker Mentoring Programme Video: The Buraq that can't fly
6 Dec 2024 (Fri) | 7:30pm* | Louis Koo Cinema, Hong Kong Arts Centre | Free Registration (First-come first-served)
*The screening will be followed by a post-screening talk

Goodbye Julia
Mohamed Kordofani
Sudan, Sweden, Germany, Saudi Arabia, France, Egypt｜2023｜120' ｜Col｜DCP｜In Arabic with Chinese and English Subtitles

In the time before South Sudan's independence. Mona, a retired singer living in the North with an unequal marriage. As a mysterious murder case unfolds, Julia's husband goes missing and Mona, consumed by guilt, hires Julia as a maid and take care of her son, Daniel. However, despite her efforts to start anew, Mona struggles to confess her past misdeeds to Julia. Against the status of a tumultuous Sudanese society, a storm of human nature is brewing, and Julia may soon uncover the truth.

A debut feature film Goodbye Julia directed by emerging Sudanese director, Mohamed Kordofani. It depicts the story of two women from different backgrounds and the conflicts that arise during their time together, reflecting a raw portrayal of humanity in society. This is also the first film from Sudan presented at Cannes, where it screened in Un Certain Regard and won the Freedom Award.

The Buraq that can't fly

Zeed

Mentor: Eric Tsang
Hong Kong｜2024｜24' ｜Col | DCP｜In Urdu and English with Chinese and English Subtitles

 

A young Muslim mother, in a delicate dance of dreams and duty, inspired by cinema, defies societal norms. She crafts a short film at home, starring her baby and neighborhood children, weaving her story of faith, motherhood, and passion.

The Buraq that can't fly is one of the selected shorts from the 2023/24 ALL ABOUT Us Young Filmmaker Mentoring Programme. 

 

 

 

Programme 2: Shorts Block
Screened with ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp Video: Behind the Curtains & Cultural Mosaic: Echoes of Tomorrow
7 Dec 2024 (SAT) | 3:00pm* | Louis Koo Cinema, Hong Kong Arts Centre | Free Registration (First-come first-served)
*The screening will be followed by a post-screening talk

Featuring a selection of seven short films, it brings together three chosen shorts from season one of Make News, Make Noise, in collaboration with Minorities in Film. These films explore themes of cultural identity, celebrate cultural diversity, and challenge the boundaries of independent cinema. Additionally, the programme includes animated shorts from Colombia, Mexico, and Iran, inviting audiences to embark on a cinematic journey that delves deep into the intricate tapestry of ethnic minority cultures, celebrating their diversity and profound beauty.

Choices
Kameishia Wooten
U.S.｜2023｜13' ｜Col｜DCP｜In English with English Subtitles

Hidden away under the bleachers at school, free-spirited Aisha gives a pregnancy test to Jessica, a cheerleader and prom queen contender, who is terrified of what the results might mean. They are joined by their childhood friend Portia, who has made her own decisions about motherhood. The three reconnect over their circumstances, and celebrate all of life's choices.

Choices is one of the selected shorts from the season one of the Make News, Make Noise, in collaboration with Minorities in Film.

Jerome
Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz
U.S.｜2023｜15' ｜Col｜DCP｜In English with English Subtitles

Basketball connects Jerome to his long-absent father, though not in the ways he wishes. As he struggles to accept his shortcomings, Jerome questions what family is and who he will become.
Jerome is one of the selected shorts from the season one of the Make News, Make Noise, in collaboration with Minorities in Film.

Shoebox
D'Lo Louis
U.S.｜2023｜13' ｜Col｜DCP｜In English with English Subtitles

Overcome by abuse, a teenage black boy is forced to choose between pulling the trigger or not in an effort to protect himself. In turn, we are split between two realities of fate - the dream or a dream deferred.

Shoebox is one of the selected shorts from the season one of the Make News, Make Noise, in collaboration with Minorities in Film.

Let's Eat
Dixon Wong
U.S.｜2020｜9'  | Col｜DCP｜In English and Mandarin with English subtitles

Let's Eat follows the story of an immigrant mother and her daughter as they navigate through the beauty and challenges of life. Despite the difficulties they face, the warmth and love of family provide comfort and closeness, and cooking becomes a symbol of their unconditional love for one another.
Special Thanks to Anamon Studios

We are the Immigrants
Catalina Matamoros
U.S., Colombia｜2016｜6'  | B&W | DCP｜No Dialogue and Subtitles

We Are Immigrants is an intimate portrait of an arduous journey across hostile borders, presented in a fluid, hand-drawn animation.

Special thanks to the University of Southern California

Home of My Memories
Javier Méndez Lafón
Mexico｜2020｜7'  | Col | DCP｜No Dialogue and Subtitles

Home of My Memories tells a story based on a memory from his childhood, dedicating this short film to all those people who have left us with an invaluable legacy and teachings.
Special thanks to the Kukari Animation Studio

Our Uniform
Yegane Moghaddam
Iran｜2023｜7' ｜Col｜DCP｜In Persian with English Subtitles

 

An Iranian girl unfolds her school memories through the wrinkles and fabrics of her old uniform. She admits that she's nothing but a "female" and explores the roots of this idea in her school years.

 

Behind the Curtains
2023/24 ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp - Group 1
Teaching Artist: Kitty Yeung
Student Mentors: Jana Fareeha Begum, Gurung Dreisty
Mentees: Muhammad Aisha Parveen (Pakistani), Bibi Sawaira (Pakistani), Yuna (Nepali), Ayman (Pakistani)

Hong Kong｜2024 | 5'  | Col | DCP｜In English with English Subtitles

A girl who meets her missing friend in the school detention room. Unbeknownst to her , she is there to take her with her... behind the curtains.
Behind the Curtains is one of the selected creative videos from the 2023/24 ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp.

 

Cultural Mosaic: Echoes of Tomorrow
2023/24 ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp - Group 2
Teaching Artist: Yeemei Wong
Student Mentors: Muhammed Adnan
Mentees: Khan Muhmmed Saim (Pakistani), Subba Tumyang Hang (Nepali), Shan Talha (Pakistani), Khan Mohammad Yusuf (Pakistani)

Hong Kong｜2024 | 9'  | Col | DCP | In Cantonese and English with English Subtitles

 

Delving into the lives of three extraordinary youths of Pakistani and Nepali descent, this film captures candid conversations and introspective moments. It unravels their identities, passions, quirks, and aspirations. As they share their stories, a rich tapestry of cultural diversity and shared dreams emerges, painting a vivid picture of resilience, hope, and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.

Cultural Mosaic: Echoes of Tomorrow is one of the selected creative videos from the 2023/24 ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp.

 

 

Programme 3: Fallen Leaves, Broken Lighters
Screened with ALL ABOUT US Young Filmmaker Mentoring Programme Video: Interview With A Creep
7 Dec 2024 (SAT) | 7:30pm* | Louis Koo Cinema, Hong Kong Arts Centre | Free Registration (First-come first-served)
*The screening will be followed by a post-screening talk

Fallen Leaves, Broken Lighters
Brock R. Brahmes、Nasrul Ekram、Alex Lopez、Eric Low、Maggie Tan、Roy Tan、Zeed
Hong Kong｜2024｜96'  | Col｜DCP｜In English, Cantonese and Tamil with English Subtitles

Within Hong Kong's bustling cityscape, vignettes intertwine the lives of its inhabitants, bound by tea, cigarettes, and broken lighters, as they grapple with life's myriad facets and their own selves. This film not only pays homage to the movie Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) but also showcases the sensibilities and collective experiences of the various directors, underlining the uniqueness of Hong Kong through its multicultural voices.

Fallen Leaves, Broken Lighters is a distinctive anthology feature film created by seven independent filmmakers from Hong Kong, each contributing their own unique vision. The film consists of seven segments, each highlighting the personal style and creativity of its respective writer and director, weaving together a rich and varied narrative experience.

Seven segments, including:
Analog
Maggie Tan
Hong Kong ｜2024｜13’

Men. Tea
Roy Tan
Hong Kong ｜2024｜13’

Deadalus
Alex Lopez
Hong Kong ｜2024｜10’

Dead with a Side of Saudade
Zeed
Hong Kong ｜2024｜17’

Fleeting Impermanence
Nasrul Ekram
Hong Kong ｜2024｜13’

Anniversary Tea
Eric Low
Hong Kong ｜2024｜12’

On the Edge of Finality
Brock R. Brahmes
Hong Kong ｜2024｜14’

Interview With A Creep
Rizwan Rahman
Mentor: Ray Lau
Hong Kong｜2024｜11'  | Col｜DCP｜In English with Chinese and English Subtitles

A struggling documentary filmmaker must interview an awkward ex-classmate who isn't doing very well. However, just before the interview starts, the classmate reveals an old secret between them that makes her question the consequences of her actions over the years.

Interview With A Creep is one of the selected shorts from the 2023/24 ALL ABOUT Us Young Filmmaker Mentoring Programme.

 

 

 
Programme 4: The Swallows of Kabul
Screened with ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp Video: Two Agents, One Masterpiece & Boundary
8 Dec 2024 (SAT) | 3pm* | Louis Koo Cinema, Hong Kong Arts Centre | Free Registration (First-come first-served)
*The screening will be followed by a post-screening talk

The Swallows of Kabul
Zabou Breitman, Eléa Gobé Mévellec
France｜2019｜81' ｜Col｜DCP｜In French with English subtitles

In the summer of 1998, Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, remained under the oppressive rule of the Taliban. In this society filled with discrimination against women, a female artist dreams of breathing the air of freedom and having a wonderful future with her husband. Unfortunately, this couple of intellectuals is forced to separate by accident; the husband dies, while the wife is imprisoned and faces execution . At that moment, she meets the male warden of the Taliban women's prison, whose duty is to send female prisoners to the execution ground. He has always been rigid and obedient, but one day, he stumbles upon the artist's liberating and passionate paintings in the prison. He ultimately takes a leap and fights for freedom.

 

Two Agents, One Masterpiece
2023/24 ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp - Group 3
Teaching Artist: Charlie Fung
Student Mentors: Rizwan Rahman
Mentees: Ali Farwa (Pakistani), Jeison Samsohang (Nepali), Jerwin Ace Abila Esteban (Filipino), Muhammad Awais Akhtar (Pakistani), Taiyab Anns Mahmood Zaeem Bin Arshid (Pakistani), Vasudev Rashmi (Indian)

Hong Kong｜2024 | 9'  | Col | DCP｜In English with English Subtitles

Two agents are assigned to a mission. After many twists and turns during the mission, they uncover each other 's secrets. Can the mission be completed successfully?
Two Agents, One Masterpiece is one of the selected creative videos from the 2023/24 ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp.

Boundary
2023/24 ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp - Group 4
Teaching Artist: Nicole Chu
Student Mentors: Ali Shamaz
Mentees: Muhammad Bilal (Pakistani), Habib Rehman (Pakistani), Liaqat Zaman Khan (Pakistani), Nihal Ahmed (Pakistani), Imran Yashaa (Pakistani), Naeem Zegham Hussain (Pakistani)

Hong Kong｜2024 | 14'  | Col | DCP｜In Urdu and English with English Subtitles

Hussain, captivated by the glamorous digital portrayal of Ali Bhai's lifestyle, uproots his life in Pakistan to chase a dream in Hong Kong, only to discover that the reality of his new world is far more complex and challenging than it seemed.

Boundary is one of the selected creative videos from the 2023/24 ALL ABOUT US Creative Camp.

 

 

Programme 5: Children of the Mist
Screened with ALL ABOUT US Young Filmmaker Mentoring Programme Video: Dirt
8 Dec 2024 (SUN) | 7:30pm* | Louis Koo Cinema, Hong Kong Arts Centre | Free Registration (First-come first-served)
*The screening will be followed by a post-screening talk

Children of the Mist
Diem Ha Le
Vietnam｜2021｜93' ｜Col｜DCP｜In Vietnamese and Hmong with Chinese and English subtitles

At the age of 13, a Hmong girl from Northern Vietnam named Di is about to embark on the journey of adolescence and face challenges from family, education, and the traditional "bride-napping" custom in her village. While she dreams of breaking away from her village's tradition and pursuing education to change her fate, she also yearns for love but is determined not to follow her sister's footsteps of marrying underage. However, on New Year's Eve, she suddenly disappears, leaving her family and village in shock...

Dirt
Ahmina Santiago Zaheer
Mentor: Chan Siu Kuen
Hong Kong｜2024｜24'  | Col｜DCP｜In Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles

A former child rapist is trying to redeem himself by seeking forgiveness within. He grew up to be a loving father and a church member, helping others overcome their past and pain. However, his past caught up with him when a girl who was his victim came forward to confront him, compelling him to reconsider his actions and question whether he is capable of forgiving himself. 

Dirt is one of the selected shorts from the 2023/24 ALL ABOUT Us Young Filmmaker Mentoring Programme.