Who will you choose? Breakthrough and American Docs competition sections
Presidential elections, congressional elections, Senate elections—all at once. American voters will have a busy start to November, and we won’t be left out! As part of the 15th American Film Festival, we invite you to cast your votes as well. Choose your favorites from 15 contenders across two categories: 9 feature films in the Breakthrough section and 6 standout documentaries in the American Docs section. Who will win the Audience Awards? That's entirely up to you!
The 15th American Film Festival begins in just one week! This year’s edition runs from November 5 to 11 at Wroclaw’s New Horizons Cinema, and from November 5 to 17, you can bring AFF home through online screenings on the NH VOD platform. Tickets for cinema screenings and access to online screenings are available on our website.
How to vote?
The future is now. We’re moving away from paper ballots and embracing a new electronic voting system, which has already proven its worth at the New Horizons International Competition in July. Before each competition screening, a QR code will be shown on the cinema screen; after the screening, volunteers with tablets will be available outside the room. Simply scan the QR code to access Votemo, our intuitive and user-friendly voting platform. The films receiving the highest ratings in each section will take home the Audience Award.
Breakthrough: groundbreaking stories
Prepare for a fierce competition. While the candidates in this section showcase diverse narratives, they are united by immense talent, energy, and a fresh perspective. The revamped Breakthrough section (formerly known as Spectrum) highlights filmmakers at the outset of their artistic journeys who have already caught the attention of festivals worldwide and demonstrated unique authorial styles.
The election list of the Breakthrough section includes:
- No Sleep Till, dir. Alexandra Simpson
Residents of the Florida coast face an impending hurricane in this visually striking film. Director Alexandra Simpson guides viewers through the overlooked edges of society—crumbling motels, quiet suburbs, and abandoned parking lots. As the storm looms, it remains uncertain whether these places will survive or be wiped off the map. Premiered at this year's Venice Film Festival, No Sleep Till paints a haunting picture of communities on the brink of destruction.
- Good One, dir. India Donaldson
Intimately told, Good One follows a 17-year-old young woman on a mountain trip with her father and his friend. Along the way, she gets an unexpected crash course in family dynamics, learning about communication and rebellion. This "little-big" film received a rapturous ovation at US in Progress and later charmed audiences at Sundance.
- Eephus, dir. Carson Lund
On the eve of their threadbare baseball diamond's demolition, two local Massachusetts teams play their final game. This farewell event sparks conversations and memories, symbolizing the end of an era in American history.
- The French Italian, dir. Rachel Wolther
A dark comedy presented at Tribeca about a couple from the Upper West Side forced to coexist with a burdensome neighbor (familiar from Chloe Cherry's Euphoria), who marks her presence, among other ways, by constantly singing La Bamba. Irritated by the loss of peace, the protagonists devise a plan for revenge that quickly spirals out of control.
- Boys Go to Jupiter, dir. Julian Glander
A visually daring, anti-capitalist animation about aliens escaping from an orange juice factory that serves as a front for a secret space mission. The characters' voices are provided by stars from the American off-screen comedy scene, blending absurdity with charming quirks. Get on board for a delightfully surreal ride!
- We Strangers, dir. Anu Valia
Ray is offered extra money to clean the homes of wealthy townspeople. What begins as a way to supplement her income quickly becomes something more—an opportunity to step into a world far removed from her own. The film delves into complex themes of race, class, and social status in a manner both compelling and nuanced, earning it a well-deserved award at the Seattle IFF.
- Haze, dir. Matthew Fifer
An intimate psychodrama, unsettling thriller, and socially conscious queer cinema—Matthew Fifer's latest film Haze blends these elements into a riveting story. Following the success of Cicada, Fifer once again delves into deeply personal themes, this time weaving the narrative of a journalistic investigation in a small town filled with hidden truths.
- Christmas Eve in Miller's Point, dir. Tyler Taormina
An Italian-American family may be reuniting for one last Christmas at their Long Island home, an event resembling a Macy's toy store ad, as tensions rise beneath the surface. The film premiered in Cannes as part of the Directors' Fortnight.
- Familiar Touch, dir. Sarah Friedland
In this intimate drama, Ruth is on the brink of a "new" life. As dementia advances, the 85-year-old must leave her cherished home and transition into a care facility. Sarah Friedland, one of the most promising voices in American independent cinema, calls this story a reflection on "coming-of-old-age."
American Docs: outskirts in the foreground
Enough with the power of the elites! It’s time for new, bold, and uncompromising voices from filmmakers who tackle fascinating yet often marginalized topics. Here are the nominees from the American Docs documentary section. Through their work, you’ll discover stories that illuminate aspects of U.S. culture, society, and politics that rarely make it into the mainstream spotlight.
American Docs Voting List:
- Seeking Mavis Beacon, dir. Jazmin Jones
In the 1980s, a previously little-known model became an icon of Black pop culture and a symbol of technological progress when her face appeared on the cover of a widely used computer program. This unconventional documentary uses Mavis Beacon's story as a springboard to examine themes of identity, social roles, and the potential dangers posed by the digital age.
- New Wave, dir. Elizabeth Ai
Vietnamese-American adolescents fascinated by Modern Talking and other Eurodance stars? Spiking their hair and dancing to hits from across the globe? This Tribeca Festival award-winner explores a forgotten subculture, taking viewers through the 1980s clubs and celebrations where this unique scene thrived.
- Roleplay, dir. Katie Mathews
A play written by students from New Orleans serves as both self-therapy and a call to action. It challenges the authorities' inertia in addressing the wave of sexual violence at American colleges. The documentary offers an intimate and sensitive portrayal of the struggle the students undertook to break the silence surrounding rape culture and the patriarchal systems that perpetuate it.
- Songs from the Hole, dir. Contessa Gayles
It is a story of a young man who experienced a profound transformation while incarcerated for murder. Through a blend of hip-hop, documentary photos, and music video sequences, the movie delves into his complex journey and the stark realities of prison life.
- Homegrown, dir. Michael Premo
Three right-wing activists involved in Trump's election campaign chart their course from local activism to the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. This insightful documentary avoids simplifying or stereotyping, offering a nuanced look at hard-core Trump supporters while underscoring the fragility of the current political climate in the U.S. and looming threat of national conflict.
- Missing from Fire Trail Road, dir. Sabrina Van Tassel
Mary Ellen disappeared without a trace. In the United States, Indigenous women are frequent targets—because perpetrators often go unpunished. Missing from Fire Trail Road is a shocking documentary that exposes the systemic racism allowing these injustices to persist.
