Jessica Beshir

From the music of Peruvian composer Pauchi Sasaki, Mexican-Ethiopian filmmaker Jessica Beshir crafts a story of a spectral mother’s disembodied voice suffusing the atmosphere with tenderness, but never quite reaching the shore of her drifting daughter. This short film is part of the 2x25 Project of Film Fest Gent and the World Soundtrack Awards. The project commissioned 25 composers to compose a short piece of music, after which 25 filmmakers made short films that are the ultimate symbioses of music and cinematography, fitting completely within the DNA of the festival. The result: 25 exceptional films where the music inspired the form, narrative and texture.

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A spiritual journey into the highlands of Harar, immersed in the rituals of khat, a leaf Sufi Muslims chewed for centuries for religious meditations – and Ethiopia’s most lucrative cash crop today. A tapestry of intimate stories offers a window into the dreams of youth under a repressive regime.

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A man who grew up without a father finds fulfillment in mentoring another.

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The gifts of three female artists-an opera singer, a style icon and a painter-are the Cast of this three-part series.

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A film about the work of painter Victor Rodriguez, whose sole subject is his ex-wife.

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For over 35 years Yussuf Mume Saleh journeys at night to the outskirts of the walled city of Harar to bond with his beloved hyenas.

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One man's search for joy has culminated in a constant experience of rhythm in the world around him.

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The DL Chronicles is a series of short stories about men of color who lead double sex lives. Episode; Wes introduces us to Wes Thomas, an upwardly mobile real estate banker who is overwhelmed by the demands of his marriage, career, and closeted attraction to men. When Wes' sexy but ambivalent brother- in-law stops in for an unexpected stay, he is directly faced with temptation and ultimately falls for the forbidden fruit.

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When his girlfriend is kidnapped, a drug-addicted ex-cop must overcome his demons and face the sobering task of tracking her down before it's too late. His story dismissed by the police, he's left with no choice but to rely on his own detective skills in a high-stakes race against time.

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A hip urban reggae film about music, passion, love and devotion! Tsegaye is a driven mucician who leaves his wife and children in California, to search for a long lost childhood friend, Kirubel. When he finds him, the two, along with Kirubel's drummer friend Teferi embark upon a journey to bring Ethiopian Reggae music to the world. Falls, triumphs and commitment test their friendship and honor. Filled with rhythm and colorful characters, Journey to Lasta paints a vivid picture of an American immigrant experience.

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Three vignettes, "The Domino Players", "The Secret Miracle" and "point of View," are linked by telephone conversations being surreptitiously listened to by Marcos, the main character. Navigating the fine line between comedy and tragedy, "107 Street" not only richly illustrates the particulars of ethnic life in one pulsating New York City neighborhood, it explores that world's universality. Premiered at the 2004 New York International Latino Film Festival.

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Robert is a writer who hasn't done much writing lately; instead, he's busy pushing the envelope with his toxic mix of boredom, drugs and a dalliance with a married woman, Elizabeth. In spite of Elizabeth's marital status, Robert falls for her completely, a commitment that just may blow up in his face, along with the rest of his life.

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A short film documenting Ethiopian musician Hailu Mergia's life as the leader of the Walias Band in the 1970, his immigration to the United States and his subsequent re-emergence as a performer in 2014.

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A spiritual journey into the highlands of Harar, immersed in the rituals of khat, a leaf Sufi Muslims chewed for centuries for religious meditations – and Ethiopia’s most lucrative cash crop today. A tapestry of intimate stories offers a window into the dreams of youth under a repressive regime.

Open details →

The gifts of three female artists-an opera singer, a style icon and a painter-are the Cast of this three-part series.

Open details →

A film about the work of painter Victor Rodriguez, whose sole subject is his ex-wife.

Open details →

For over 35 years Yussuf Mume Saleh journeys at night to the outskirts of the walled city of Harar to bond with his beloved hyenas.

Open details →

One man's search for joy has culminated in a constant experience of rhythm in the world around him.

Open details →