Trains is a “found-footage” document consisting solely of archival materials, which creates a collective portrait of people in 20th century Europe, capturing their hopes, desires, dramas, and tragedies. In this wordless film, full of beauty and bitterness, the excitement of adventure becomes a curse, and tears of joy mingle with the pain of despair.

Intent on providing a better life for herself and her children after her farmer-husband’s suicide, Sanjivani struggles against her culture’s traditional abandonment of widows, until she joins a discussion group with other farmer-suicide widows. Empowered by community, shared stories of resilience, and unexpected solidarity, Sanjivani cautiously forges a path forward.

Emerging Voices, a pilot program to support new voices in documentary film, will showcase four filmmakers this year:

Alfredo Minea, actor and filmmaker, is interested in amplifying the voices of the vulnerable, being involved in theatre and film projects exploring the theme. In the programme, he will present the short film "35A", made in 2022, the story of the people in the block where he grew up.

Andreea Udrea is a documentary film director and video journalist. She studied documentary filmmaking in the DocNomads program. Her latest project, "The wind blows where it pleases", explores the tension between faith and queerness. The program will feature the short film "Untitled", which is a work-in-progress.

Răzvan Dima used to be a cameraman in the press, but chose to leave journalism to focus on photography and film. He is interested in the degradation of cultural heritage and the destruction of natural areas through urbanization. "The Waters We Dwell in", made in Băile Herculane, is the short film presented in the program.

Ștefan Marcu directed seven short films during his studies, including the documentary "The Union Train", which premiered at Ji.hlava IDFF, part of the Emerging Voices program. He is working on a feature film about the rise of the AUR party.

35A - Alfredo Minea
Untitled - Andreea Udrea
The Waters We Dwell In - Răzvan Dima
The Union Train - Ștefan Marcu

The films will be followed by a broad conversation with the filmmakers.