The 4th edition DOC SCREENINGS INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL

Georgian artist, Nika Kobaidze, returns to his childhood mountain village with a primal urge to build scarecrows and burn them.

Azo, a spirited young man in a wheelchair, and his devoted father, Gocha, navigate the challenges of living with disabilities in Georgia while constructing a wheelchair-accessible home.

Since the start of the war, the United Kingdom has welcomed over 200,000 refugees from Ukraine, the majority of them women. Each arrival is a life turned upside down, an individual processing serious trauma, but they've all had no choice but to carry on in a new culture, language and society. This documentary takes three women from different generations and explores what their lives have been like in this country for the last two years, as they adapt in unfamiliar surroundings while the conflict rages back home. Ariana, 14, schoolgirl. Forced to grow up quicker than she otherwise would have, in order to support her mother with her two younger brothers. She's changed country, school and friends, just as she navigates the enormous shift from childhood to adolescence. Inna, 43, mother, daughter, doctor. She had to flee some of the fiercest fighting in Ukraine, taking her family with her in a terrifying drive across Europe. Her home lies in ruin and she faces an uncertain future. Lidia, 73, volunteer. Born into a village of Ukrainian settlers in what is the heart of Russia today, her drive to help in whatever way she can has sustained her from Ukraine to England. Set in London, Reading and Peterborough, where they eventually ended up with host families, the film is an honest, moving and at times uplifting portrayal of three ordinary women who have had to cope in extraordinary conditions, without letting it break their spirit. The title comes from the Ukrainian tradition of toast-giving and literally means 'Let us be'. It encapsulates the dignity, resilience and quiet determination that countless Ukrainian refugees have shown since they arrived in this country. A directorial debut from Joseph Terry, who was inspired to make this film after hosting refugees from Kyiv and led a production team made up of displaced Ukrainians.

Eighty years after his death, communist dictator Josef Stalin returns to his birthplace of Georgia to find out what became of his Soviet Union.

In "Barullo," the essence of unique human experiences takes center stage. While physical constants define our world, life's moments are ever-changing, shaped by unpredictable variables and circumstances. This film captures the essence of life's fleeting nature, demonstrating the freedom found in music, the connection with others, and the beauty of nature. Through the shared purpose of enjoyment, dance, and unity, "Barullo" celebrates the transient yet profound moments that allow souls to soar, bringing individuals together in a shared, exhilarating dance of existence.

The story of the once forbidden Russian Sign Language, told through the personal story of the family of a hard of hearing Yulia - a teacher at a boarding school for deaf and hard of hearing children from the city of Tula, Russia. How was sign language taught to the deaf? How do deaf people find ways to express themselves? What is hidden in the beauty of singing in sign language? What does the future hold for sign language?

Mehdi Moutashar’s work uses the language of both geometric abstraction and Arabic calligraphy to reflect on personal and political histories. This short documentary features an interview with the artist, showcases his groundbreaking art on view, and reveals insight into his creative process, personal history, and the inspiration behind his solo exhibition Introspection as Resistance, presented at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.

Through the compelling interviews of the lead prosecutor, the defense attorney and the police chief, “Guiding Light” tells the story of a young teen (Polly Hannah Klaas) in a small town in America who was kidnapped from her bedroom during a slumber party while her family was in the house. In "Guiding Light", India Mitchell, a teen growing up in the same town thirty years later brings a fresh perspective and highlights the importance of the legacy of this case to the continuing endeavor to keep children safe.

Sergei Parajanov (1924-1990), a masterful filmmaker of Armenian origin, left a deep mark on the world cinematography. A pilgrimage to his home in Yerevan by a French director of Russian origin turns into a mystical search for the Master's spirit.

Can fungi be a conservation ally when it comes to protecting entire ecosystems? When mycologist Giuliana Furci, and biologists Toby Kiers and Merlin Sheldrake come together, great things happen. Better yet if they are exploring Tierra del Fuego’s funga in autumn. Among Nothofagus forests, pampas, rivers, fjords and glaciers, the scientists talk about the importance of studying fungi and how they can and should be used as conservation tools.

The fractures in the reception system of the Spanish State leave thousands of undocumented immigrants on the streets every year when they reach the age of majority. Emilia Lozano, an unwavering activist for human rights and the feminist movement, in her ongoing struggle for social justice, redefines the concept of family for many of them through love, empathy, and solidarity.