Bad Parenting

Kaalam is a human drama about how time influences perception, judgment, and compassion. In an ordinary setting of everyday lives, people cross paths and form opinions about one another - often too quickly. Actions are misunderstood, intentions are misread, and individuals are judged not for who they are, but for what is seen in a moment shaped by circumstances. As time moves through different phases - Samakaalam 1, Samakaalam 2, Kooththukaalam, and Maayakaalam.Perspectives begin to shift. What once appeared right starts to feel incomplete, and what seemed wrong reveals hidden truths. Time slowly exposes the gaps between appearance and reality. Kaalam reflects on how easily humans judge one another, and how time alone has the power to correct those judgments. It ultimately observes how time alters judgment and changes the way people see one another.

Meet Joel Goodson, an industrious, college-bound 17-year-old and a responsible, trustworthy son. However, when his parents go away and leave him home alone in the wealthy Chicago suburbs with the Porsche at his disposal he quickly decides he has been good for too long and it is time to enjoy himself. After an unfortunate incident with the Porsche Joel must raise some cash, in a risky way.

Emma has spent her entire life trapped in Fowler’s fundamentalist cult. After a final act of humiliation, she decides to flee. Sam, a fellow member, bound by guilt and defiance, agrees to help her escape.

Kaimook, a 25-year-old woman, recounts her past love with Wayu, a rival gang member of her brother. Six years ago, in a rural town plagued by gang conflicts, their paths crossed when Kaimook helped Wayu escape her brother’s pursuit. Despite knowing the risks, they secretly met in a dark alley, falling in love amid deep-seated hatred and past tragedies. Caught between family loyalty and forbidden love, they struggled to find a way out—uncertain if their love could ever overcome the weight of their divided worlds.

Iran in the early 1960s: The world is still a big dream of freedom, exuberance and Technicolor, at least in the eyes of sixteen-year-old Atieh (Saina Rohanie in an impressive debut). Together with her mother, she visits Rassoul, a longtime friend of her late father, in his small village and, upon her arrival, meets his fourteen-year-old son Kamran (new discovery Mahdiar Shahmohammadi). Kamran is immediately enraptured by Atieh's charisma, and it doesn't take long for the two teens to become close. Kamran takes Atieh into the previously unknown world of cinema, whose heroes, villains and adventures he is already passionately addicted to. A magical summer takes its course - at the end of which waits a shattering decision that will change both of them forever.

A 17-year-old snowmobile rider on the brink of going professional is driven by a quiet desire to escape her small-town life. When she discovers she is pregnant, her carefully imagined future is thrown into uncertainty, forcing her to confront the tension between motherhood and ambition.

FRIDA!

A 15 year-old boy and his friends want to lose their virginity.

June and her friends give everything they've got to complete a movie for her college application project.

Narciso is a Black orphan living with siblings Carmem and Joaquim. Just before his birthday, he is returned by a couple who decided not to adopt him. To cheer him up, Alexandre, another child living in the foster home, gives him a magical basketball. If Narciso makes three baskets, a genie will appear to grant him his greatest wish.

Wound of the past

14-year-old Elias increasingly feels like an outsider in his village. When he meets his new neighbour of the same age, Alexander, Elias is confronted with his burgeoning sexuality.

Four best friends (Tibby, Lena, Carmen & Bridget) who buy a mysterious pair of pants that fits each of them, despite their differing sizes, and makes whoever wears them feel fabulous. When faced with the prospect of spending their first summer apart, the pals decide they'll swap the pants so that each girl in turn can enjoy the magic.

Accio and Manrico are siblings from a working-class family in 1960s Italy: older Manrico is handsome, charismatic, and loved by all, while younger Accio is sulky, hot-headed, and treats life as a battleground — much to his parents' chagrin. After the former is drawn into left-wing politics, Accio joins the fascists out of spite, but his flimsy beliefs are put to test when he falls for Manrico's like-minded girlfriend.

A moment of weakness after a humiliating breakup leads Zahra, a young Muslim woman to play a forbidden lottery ticket. Her chance at escape becomes a spiritual crisis. While her coworker dreams of riches, she’s certain Allah is watching and waiting.

Interview Record of New Artists

Josh Thomas is an artist grieving the loss of his wife, channelling inner turmoil into art. When presented with an opportunity, Josh must decide whether he’s selling art or his emotions.

The story focuses on high school girl Nagisa Yukiai who lives in a seaside town. She has believed her grandmother's story that spirits dwell in words and they are called "kotodama" (word spirit). One day, she strays into a mini FM station that has not been used for years. As an impulse of the moment, she tries to talk like a DJ using the facility. But her voice accidentally broadcasted reaches someone she has never expected.

After failing his university entrance exam, Yuki Hirano sets his eyes on the role of a forestry trainee. Setting off for training he doubts his decision many times, but eventually after passing the training course, he is sent to Kamusari Village for a year of work experience - where he becomes assimilated with the beauty of nature and the warm-hearted people of the village.

Four friends (a background actor, a documentarian, a homeless musician, and a virgin) descend into a life-awakening 24 hours that involve excess drinking, prostitutes, a sage-like lounge singer and psychedelic drugs.