Shifting Roots (Lebanon) by Angie Mrad

An 81 years old woman had to flee her home as Hezbollah and Israel bomb around her. In the midst of war between Israel and Hezbollah, Nouhad an 81 years old woman had to leave everything behind to seek refuge as they bomb around her. She has a hard time talking about the human tragedies, but the thing she talks about most is her olive orchard, a symbol of resilience in the middle of chaos. But when white phosphorus rains down, Nouhad is forced to confront the brutal reality of loss once more.

Haunted by the orchard's history, marked by displacement and invasion, Nouhad stands at a crossroads. Should she flee to safety, abandoning her ancestral home on the border, or defy the odds to protect what remains of her legacy?

Running time: 00:08:30

Inferior Shadows (Iran) by Ramin Khalighi

Parvin and Rasoul, a young couple, left their small town for the big city to find work and a better life. Parvin’s younger brother, Amir Ali, is also living with them as a guest. This family, all three struggling with addiction and forced into scavenging, recounts their story. We witness their daily struggle for survival and their attempts to escape the swamp in which they've become trapped.

Running time: 01:25:20