New Directors Competition
Be at the cutting edge of world cinema and take a little risk in your viewing. This year, seven new international voices have been selected for SIFF’s New Directors Competition. To qualify, the films must be dramatic features, a director’s debut or second feature, and without U.S. distribution at the time of SIFF selection. The films are chosen for their original scripts, innovative cinematography, and unique insights into people, places, and story.
The New Directors jury comprises film industry professionals and journalists who will choose the winning filmmaker during the Festival’s final weekend. The winner will be announced at the Golden Space Needle Awards and receive a cash prize of $5,000.
All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White
Nigeria | 2023 | 92 min. | Babatunde Apalowo
An understated but heart-wrenching look at the love between two men in modern-day Nigeria, where such love is forbidden.
Copenhagen Does Not Exist
Denmark | 2023 | 99 min. | Martin Skovbjerg
A man whose girlfriend disappeared agrees to be held captive in an apartment room to be interrogated by her father and brother.
Hanging Gardens
Iraq | 2022 | 117 min. | Ahmed Yassin Al Daradji
A 12-year-old “rubbish picker” in one of Baghdad’s dumps discovers a blonde sex doll amidst the mountains of detritus.
Harka
France | 2022 | 88 min. | Lotfy Nathan
A young Tunisian petrol bootlegger is pushed to the brink by misfortune, injustice, and government corruption.
Next Sohee
South Korea | 2022 | 138 min. | July Jung
A bisected tale about a vivacious high schooler slowly cut down to nothing and the police detective who investigates her death.
A Room of My Own
Georgia | 2022 | 107 min. | Ioseb “Soso” Bliadze
A young woman in desperate need of a flat falls for her hard-partying new roommate, pushing her toward self-actualization.
When it Melts
Belgium | 2023 | 111 min. | Veerle Baetens
An uncompromising tale about Eva, who returns to her hometown to confront something terrible that happened in her youth.