Saturday
Taxi Monamour
Two young women find themselves at a turning point. Anna is at odds with herself and her family, while Nadiya, displaced by war, is forced to flee Ukraine. Their brief encounter becomes an intense, unpredictable plunge into freedom.
Hot Swing Boheme Live at Hackney Picturehouse
Get ready for an awesome evening with Hot Swing Boheme bringing their vibrant swing vibes live! Join us on April 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM (BST) for great music, good company, and a cozy atmosphere at Hackney Picturehouse. Don't miss out on this fun, in-person event - perfect for music lovers looking to unwind and dance the night away!
What's a Human Anyway (Korkuyorum Anne)
After being knocked unconscious and losing his memory, Ali returns to life like a newborn, exploring the world from scratch and trying to reassemble his identity. Set within a nostalgic Istanbul neighbourhood, the film follows a tight web of families and close friends as Ali's presence quietly reshapes their everyday lives.
Sunday
Short Film Selection + Q&A
A curated selection of recent short films from emerging filmmakers across Greece, Lebanon, Turkiye and the wider region. Contemporary stories that move between realism, dark humour and emotional depth. Several films recognised at Sundance, Venice, Clermont-Ferrand and London Short Film Festival. Followed by a Q&A with directors.
Almost Certainly False Neredeyse Kesinlikle Yanlis
Having fled the war in Syria, Hanna and her young brother Nader find themselves staying in a run-down neighbourhood of Istanbul. Hanna spends her days learning nail design in order to earn a living, while dreaming of finding a way to migrate to Europe. When she meets a Turkish guy on a night out, she finds herself trying to balance her identity and desires with the needs of her young brother.
Heat Me
During a severe summer heatwave, three generations of spirited women -- a sprightly granddaughter, her fashionable mother, and a feisty grandmother -- find themselves confined in their apartment without air-conditioning. As the city buzzes with the uproar of a hygiene union strike, their home transforms into a funny battleground of mounting plastic. Water shortages add to their misadventures, teetering them between laughter and despair.
And If the Sun Drowned Into an Ocean of Clouds
Beirut, Lebanon. On the waterfront's construction site, security agent Raed must prevent passing-by walkers from accessing the seaside. Yet as the horizon becomes each day more stifled by the construction, Raed makes peculiar encounters -- mere dreams, or symbols of his desires?
Dreams, Hopes and Rotating Dolphins
A new technology pops up, now everyone can see who they were reincarnated from. Erdi tries to find out who he was in his past life while going through an existential crisis.
Don't Say It Sakin Soyleme
Yaren and Arif are two friends who go out by car at night to get dinner. While Arif goes to pick up the food, Yaren has different plans for the evening. She is determined to confess her love to him. But every time she speaks the words, time fractures and everything resets to the beginning. To break free from this loop, she tries something new each time.
Glass Spider
A mild night in. London Short Film Festival nominee.
The Yarn
A Greek-Turkish couple and their little daughter travel with their caravan along the Turkish seaside of the Aegean Sea. This time, however, their journey ends with a vivid reflection on a tale the parents always tell their daughter.
Mantili (Handkerchief)
16mm B&W projection video and shelving installation displaying an array of culturally prominent objects. Portraying a male and female subject dancing the traditional Greek war dance ‘Zeibekiko’. The dance is completely improvised and acts as a projection of gender, class and culture-based sufferings, expressed in a way that words may not be able to translate. Found footage is also featured of Sotiria Bellou’s laika song ‘Zeimpekiko’, created in light of poverty and as a symbol for the working classes of 1950s Greece.
