The world we were all familiar with has been shaken and changed irrevocably. We now find ourselves in a situation where we are presented with a real opportunity to rethink, redress and create a new path going forward – “a new future.” During this time of unprecedented change, people around the world are questioning how they live, the values that underpin their societies and what the future holds. At the heart of all this is the need to be better at respectfully listening to each other, showing compassion, and working together to create societies that embody social justice, equality, inclusion, harmony and community at their center, as well as addressing the environmental emergency that confronts us.
To help process all the various layers and aspects involved, we are offering A New Future, a short film festival that explores, expresses, shares and discusses concerns, creative solutions and a variety of visions for how we can all contribute to a better future. A New Future is a platform where filmmakers and artists can offer their opinions, insights and visions for the future through short films, together with a selection of additional resources.
Between August 7 - October 15, 2020 an “open call” was issued, and filmmakers around the world were invited to submit a short film no longer than 5 minutes that speaks to the theme, A New Future. 3031 film submissions were received and an independent panel of judges selected 30 films for the festival as the Official Selection, as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Awards, plus an Honorable Mention.
We would like to express our thanks to all filmmakers around the world who produced and submitted films that shared their vision of “a new future.”
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in these films are those of the filmmakers. They do not necessarily purport to reflect the exact opinions or views of CARAVAN.
Meet the Judges and check out the additional Resources.
OFFICIAL SELECTION
1ST PRIZE AWARD WINNER THE OCEAN VOICE
DIRECTOR: RODRIGO THOME (BRAZIL)
A message from the ocean – we are connected – find the best within yourself toward a new future.
2ND PRIZE AWARD WINNER
GIVE BACK THE SILENT SPRING
DIRECTORS: ZEYNEP ÜSTÜNIPEK, BURAK KUM (TURKEY)
Humanity is a part of nature, and a war against nature is inevitably a war against ourselves.
3RD PRIZE AWARD WINNER THE WORLD IS THIRSTY
DIRECTOR: ISABEL DE LA TORRE (SPAIN)
The world is thirsty because we are hungry; stop wasting water.
HONORABLE MENTION TIME TO BE A BOY
DIRECTOR: ANTONIO ALEIXO (PORTUGAL)
A post-quarantine short documentary about the value of friendship in looking toward a post-pandemic future.
NDOTO
DIRECTOR: NJUNG'E WANJIRU (KENYA)
An animated story about ‘colorism’ and overcoming all odds to achieve your dreams.
OH MAMA
DIRECTOR: GRACE GASHUMBA NATASHA (UGANDA)
A film about the importance of education and investing in the lives of children.
Φ
DIRECTOR: MARIETA LANDKROON (NETHERLANDS)
Inspiring musings on making a difference in our world.
MURGA
DIRECTOR: KATYAYAN SHIVPURI (INDIA)
‘Murga’ means a rooster. It also implies a stress position used as a corporal punishment. In this ‘mockumentary’, children take up the mantle of cleaning up their ‘home’ by saying ‘sorry’ and becoming a ‘Murga’
LOVING DISTANCE
DIRECTOR: DENNIS EARLIE AND NOREEN MOYNIHAN (IRELAND)
A look at how we as a global society come to terms with a pandemic that infects and affects all of us both individually and collectively.
RETURN. . . (RESET)
DIRECTOR: SLAVKO KOSTIC (SERBIA)
A short film describing self-isolation, human alienation and the need to hope for change in our world.
THE SAVIOUR
DIRECTOR: ARJUN MUKHERJEE (INDIA)
Based on a true story from Nabha, Punjab, India. Sometimes the biggest crisis brings out the best in people.
SERENDIPITY AND ME
DIRECTOR: TAL ANDERSON (USA)
A look at the life of a young autistic actor which investigates the effects that isolation and the pandemic have had on her, demonstrating that despite the circumstances, we can all reclaim unexpected joy in our lives.
I WISH
DIRECTOR: HADY AMIRI AND RAHA FARAJI (IRAN)
An animated interplay of scenes of war and peaceful everyday life.
BEIRUT, THIS PAGE IS FOR YOU
DIRECTOR: GHADI AL ALAM (LEBANON)
A reflection following the explosion that destroyed much of the city of Beirut on 4 August 2020, encouraging everyone to not be frozen with fear, hopelessness and grief, and instead work together to write a more hopeful future.
AWAKENING
DIRECTOR: MUSTAFA ÇAĞLAR İLIM (TURKEY)
The story of the awakening from the universe we create in our minds towards the world we live in – seeking to empower individuals toward intentional living.
SUNFLOWER
DIRECTOR: JORDAN BEATTY(IRELAND)
A giant man on a tiny planet fishes for stars to keep a cycle of light going – highlighting that ‘small acts’ matter.
A GOOD GUY
DIRECTOR: THIBAULD PONCE & JULES SELINI (FRANCE)
A multi-layered look at personal motivations and prejudices toward a better future of living into one’s greater self.
IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN?
DIRECTOR: KYLE BASTIN (USA)
A civil rights reminder using the words and footage of Martin Luther King Jr.
UNLESS - SUB EN
DIRECTOR: JULIO VENEGAS (CANADA)
A short film about immigration and racial prejudice, with the hope for a new future that is based on full acceptance by those that helped to rescue them.
PROMISE
DIRECTOR: IRINA HARKAVETS (UKRAINE)
A personal story of the connectedness of life - children and parents, ecological education and our responsibility in relationships with people and nature.
SAVE THE WORLD
DIRECTOR: BRANDON AXEL (MEXICO)
In a nightmare world of garbage and hopelessness, a young man finds a time capsule, where he remembers through photos, the nature that humanity lost and destroyed.
THE SWALLOW MAN
DIRECTOR: JAVIER FUENMAYOR GARCÉS (SPAIN)
A thoughtful reflection on living in appreciation of life and others - paying attention to the details so that we see the beauty that is all around us.
THE PIGEON
DIRECTOR: ZAHRA EBADI (IRAN)
A multi-layered animated film that inspires us to live intentionally and from within.”
THE FATHER OF TREES
DIRECTOR: TAYMOUR GHADERI (IRAN)
A powerful inspirational portrayal of a man who collects plastic bottles and waters trees, reminding us that even small acts matter toward creating a positive future.
MARIAH: LIVING BEYOND CEREBAL PALSY
DIRECTOR: RENATA J. ROMAIN (USA)
Follow the journey of Mariah, a jubilant young girl with cerebral palsy who is determined to walk and talk, encouraging us to look at those with disabilities with more empathy.
TOGETHER WE CAN
DIRECTOR: SUBHAJIT NATH (USA)
A student film about the change that we need.
TRANSIENT
DIRECTOR: MARIO BERTSCH (GERMANY)
A plea for unity and connectedness, reminding us that the things that connect us outweigh that which separates us.
PANACEA
DIRECTOR: JERRY JACOB (OMAN)
A moving story about a young adult who lost her mother to Covid-19 and whose father is ill, reminding us to reach out to those in need with thoughtfulness and generosity.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
DIRECTOR: WHEELER WINSTON DIXON (USA)
A powerful digital animation film reminding us that we are not alone.
SURF GHANA
DIRECTOR: OLAYINKA ENO BABALOLA (NIGERIA)
A documentary of the “Skate Gal Club"; an all-female collective created to connect and empower girls and women in Ghana through skateboarding – inspiring us toward making a difference in the lives of others.
Head over to our YouTube channel to view all the films