Mark Adams

A free-flowing cerebral essay attempting to combine the deeply philosophical with the gently amusing, and whose playful quality keeps it ticking over in breezy fashion.

An up-close examination of the final days of an elderly woman in a Chinese hospital, The Ark is never an easy watch but ultimately a very involving and necessary one.

Zuhur’s Daughters is a compassionate and non-judgmental film that chronicles four deeply complex and life-changing years in the lives of siblings Lohan and Samar, two young transgender women who fled Syria with their family of fourteen and are now embarking on a very different – and much freer – life in Germany.

Director Großpietsch’s striking film may well be presented without words but nevertheless speaks volumes about the times we live in.

A warm-hearted and at times gently insightful delve into the life of Czech sex-worker Anny.

A deeply moving, compassionate and ultimately heart-warming doc which may be modest and straightforward in tone and structure, but will strike a deep chord with audiences.

The need for speed is beautifully underlined in Belgian filmmaker Eva Küpper’s impressive film about motorcycles, men and battling against the odds.

Kluijfhout’s meditative film serves up both stunning visuals and gentle lyric in telling the story of six very different people all motivated by their affection for, and connection to, the oyster.

Honigmann’s journey into her past finds room for humour and compassion as well as tears and frustration, but ultimately helps weave together a generous and life-affirming, and rather special, film.

Volkan Üce’s story of two young Turkish men trying to settle into jobs at the all-inclusive Nashira Resort makes for an engaging and insightful documentary that perfectly encapsulates the eternal culture clash between the haves and have-nots.