Escape the Usual(2023)

Flavors of Youth(zh)

The rigorous city life of China, while bustling and unforgiving, contains the everlasting memories of days past. Three stories told in three different cities, follow the loss of youth and the daunting realization of adulthood. Though reality may seem ever changing, unchangeable are the short-lived moments of one's childhood days. A plentiful bowl of noodles, the beauty of family and the trials of first love endure the inevitable flow of time, as three different characters explore the strength of bonds and the warmth of cherished memories. Within the disorder of the present world, witness these quaint stories recognize the comfort of the past, and attempt to revive the neglected flavors of youth.

Clement(fr)

Benoit turns 13 and develops an intense crush on his godmother, Marion. As they lie on beaches in the summer, she humors him by talking about the mysteries of women.

O Último Episódio(pt)

Erik, a 13-year-old boy, has a platonic crush on Sheila and, to get closer to her, claims to have a tape at home with the legendary “last episode” of the cartoon Dungeons & Dragons. With the help of his friends, he seeks a way out of the mess he has gotten himself into, experiencing an intense coming-of-age story.

City of Dreams(en)

A Mexican teenager whose dreams of becoming a soccer star are disrupted when his mother dies. He's smuggled across the border with the promise of a better life but is instead sold to a sweatshop in downtown LA.

To the Sea(es)

Before leaving for Rome with his mother, five year old Natan is taken by his father, Jorge, on an epic journey to the pristine Chinchorro reef off the coast of Mexico. As they fish, swim, and sail the turquoise waters of the open sea, Natan discovers the beauty of his Mayan heritage and learns to live in harmony with life above and below the surface, as the bond between father and son grows stronger before their inevitable farewell.

Oceane(fr)

A hypersensitive wind turbine tech encounters an activist and a special child in Romania, leading her into a fight against bus-dismantling criminals and forcing her to confront her own growth.

Submarine(en)

15-year-old deep-thinking Welsh schoolboy Oliver Tate struggles to initiate and maintain a relationship with Jordana, his devilish, dark-haired classmate at their Swansea high school. As his parents' marriage begins to fall apart, similar problems arise in his relationship with Jordana.

Close(fr)

Two 13-year-old boys spend an idyllic summer together, but their connection is put to the test when they become the subject of speculation at school.

Young and Dangerous: The Prequel(cn)

Showcasing the earlier years of Chan Ho Nam and Chicken, this prequel tells of their time during their willingness to follow Hung Hing's Uncle Bee.

Yellowknife(en)

The film tells the story of three couples on the road between the Atlantic coast and the Northwest Territories in Canada.

Sweet Sixteen(fr)

Sweet Sixteen presents eight 16 year old girls that unveil themselves through 8 bittersweet monologues. All highlighted in a evocative and poetic setting, the characters deliver on different themes; self-image, eating disorders, anxiety, their first love, their first kiss, friendship, sorority, sex, rape, incest, social media, social and political revolts. Constructed as a symphony form, the piece of work goes through four movements and is musically supported. The strong visual identity forces the movie to define itself somewhere between full feature film and object of art. Sweet Sixteen is a cinematographic adaptation done by Alexa-Jeanne Dubé from the play of the same name written in 2018 by the late Suzie Bastien.

Cover(en)

17-year-old Monica is left to take care for her exuberant younger sister, Sarah, for the week. As the girls rush to school one morning, the tornado sirens suddenly wail outside.

Breakthrough(en)

Tragedy strikes when a woman named Joyce's son falls through the ice on a frozen lake and is trapped underwater for over 15 minutes. After being rushed to the hospital, the 14-year-old boy continues to fight for his life as Joyce, her husband and their pastor stay by his bedside and pray for a miracle.

The Island(en)

On a wintry bay, far from home, a young child witnesses something truly unexpected.

In Your Absence(es)

13-year-old Pablo is a quiet, lonely boy with a troubled past. His only friend is Julia, a shameless 15-year-old girl who is more than willing to help Pablo with his transition from childhood to adolescence, and give him some advice on sex, love, and life in general. On a quiet country road just outside of the village, Pablo meets Paco, an oddly calm, well-dressed stranger whose car just broke down. Nevertheless, he seems more interested in the boy than fixing his problem.

Saudade(es)

Untamed Royals(es)

A group of wealthy teenagers commit crimes that escalate from petty mischief to dangerous plots, causing chaotic consequences — but not for themselves.

Julia(nl)

Nudes Julia once sent to her ex have been leaked. The only one that supports her is her best friend Chloë. Together they try to figure out who is behind the scandal. Julia suspects her ex boyfriend. Then she finds out something horrible that changes everything.

The Beat Beneath My Feet(en)

Teenage boy Tom lives with his single mum in a flat in South London. Into the flat below moves Steve, an anti-social former Rock God who faked his death 8 years ago. Tom agrees not to reveal his secret on condition that he teaches him the dark arts of Rock Guitar.

The Boy in the Dress(en)

Dennis feels different - an ordinary boy in an ordinary house in an ordinary street, playing football with his mates and living with his dad and brother, but frustrated by the boring grey world he inhabits. Life has never really been the same since his mum left. However, transformation can happen in the most unexpected places. Aided by Lisa, the coolest girl in school, Dennis creates a whole new persona and puts it to the ultimate test - but can a boy wear a dress, and what will the headmaster, his dad and his friends on the football team think if they find out?