Coming of Age

Traditionally, the special focus programs are a very important and popular part of the festival. Even films about young people - their problems and moments of happiness in negotiating relationships and identity - still deserve a place at the cineamtic table because they continue to be made in exciting and refreshing new ways. Whether in Taiwan, where shy Ai recognizes her feelings and affection for exotic exchange student Miao Miao almost too late, or in the Mexican film debut Quemar les naves, in which two young siblings respectively define or redefine their identities in the process of farewelling their mother, childhood, and one another; or in the competition for friendship and affection, desire and the beginnings of sexual awakening both in and out of the pool set in the stylized world of synchronized swimming in La Naissance des pieuvres, Céline Sciamma's terrific first feature.

The festival is also proud to present some very stylistically and thematically outstanding short films: An example from the very active (queer) Brazilian filmmakers is Esmir Filho's  jewel Alguma coisa assim (Something Like That), which was presented in the Cannes Short Film program to great success. With little dialogue, but a rich repertoire of music styles, colors, and (camera) movements Filho describes the free-flowing life of teenager Caio and Mari in Sao Paolo, the nightly trips into the vibrant night life, their friendship, and their not-quite-decided sexuality and future.