14/10/2024 - The Montreal-based market took attendees on a journey through diverse perspectives, and explored complex human experiences and different cultural landscapes

A moment during one of the Nouveau Marché pitches (© Maryse Boyce)

The Nouveau Marché in Montreal, which ran from 10-13 October as part of Nouveau Cinéma Montréal, has become a unique space for showcasing bold, avant-garde projects from across the globe. This year’s line-up featured an eclectic mix of films, each with distinctive narratives that explore complex human experiences and diverse cultural landscapes.

“Our mission at the Marché is to amplify voices from all corners of the world, giving filmmakers a platform to tell stories that challenge, inspire and connect us,” says Hayet Benkara, head of the Nouveau Marché. “This year’s selection truly embodies that spirit, as we highlight both emerging and established talents who push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.”

This year’s projects and participants were as follows:

Wahnish Keeps Me Free - Jamil McGinnis (USA)
This hybrid documentary follows a father and daughter as they drive through Tallahassee during their alma mater’s reunion, with the iconic Florida A&M Marching 100 band as a backdrop. The journey becomes a deeply personal exploration of family ties, regional history and a tapestry of memories that reveal hidden layers of their shared past. Director Jamil McGinnis, known for his work screened at the Museum of Modern Art and in Cannes’ Directors' Fortnight, co-founded Seneca Village Pictures.

Dead Among the Living - Ronaldas Tomaševičius (Lithuania)
Alanas, a former drug addict and homeless man, chronicles his life through the lens of his own camera, providing an unfiltered look at survival and redemption. Director Ronaldas Tomaševičius, once homeless himself, draws from personal experience to craft stories of struggle and resilience. He recently obtained a master's in Film Directing. Meanwhile, producer Lineta Lasiauskaitė, the founder of Plopsas, saw her first short, Ootid, compete at Cannes. She also participated in Locarno's Match Me! initiative.

Princesse Téné - Fabien Dao (Burkina Faso)
Téné, a cunning drug smuggler, returns home after her father’s death, navigating her role as a dealer and family matriarch against a backdrop of political unrest in Burkina Faso. Director Fabien Dao has produced a trilogy based on his father's life, including Il pleut sur Ouaga. Moustapha Sawadogo, a graduate of the EAVE programme, is an established producer with credits like Duga, les charognards, which screened at FESPACO.

The Devil’s Tears - Maya Bastian (Canada)
Set in a village plagued by a mysterious red rain that drives residents to violence, this supernatural thriller follows Niro, an 18-year-old who remains unaffected, as the community teeters on the edge of collapse. Director Maya Bastian, a conflict journalist turned filmmaker, explores themes of displacement and trauma. Her work has been supported by HBO and Netflix. Producer Lindsay Blair Goeldner, of Fae Pictures, has produced acclaimed projects and nurtures emerging talent through innovative storytelling.

The Sea Is Calm Tonight - Lê Bao (Vietnam)
A miraculous encounter at sea brings together Vietnamese boat people from 40 years ago and present-day Rohingya refugees, connecting their parallel quests for survival and peace. Director Lê Bao, a self-taught filmmaker with a passion for raw storytelling, has gained international recognition with works like Taste [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], which features non-professional actors. Producer Weijie Lai, the co-founder of E&W Films, is known for his award-winning productions such as Pop Aye, celebrated at Sundance, and Taste, rewarded at the Berlinale.

Daudistan - Ariel Nasr (Canada)
In the midst of a politically unstable region, a father and son grapple with the clash between traditional values and modernity. Set against a vivid backdrop, this film tells the story of their strained relationship and evolving identity as they navigate a world that’s both familiar and foreign. Director Ariel Nasr is an award-winning writer-director, known for The Forbidden Reel (2019) and The Boxing Girls of Kabul (2011). His work, celebrated at Hot Docs and Sundance, explores themes of cultural identity and resilience. Producer Yanick Létourneau, co-founder of Périphéria, specialises in feature films and international co-productions, with a commitment to underrepresented voices. His recent productions include Kidnapping Inc. [+see also:
film review
film profile], Mali Twist [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] and Night of the Kings [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Philippe Lacôte
film profile].

Mother Maybe - Sonny Calvento (Philippines)
Marco, a young man competing on a Japanese game show, heads to Tokyo not just for the prize money, but also to find his mother, Minda, who abandoned him years ago. He discovers that she has become a Manananggal, a mythical vampire from Filipino folklore, forcing him to confront his deepest fears. Director Sonny Calvento made a splash with Excuse Me, Miss, Miss, Miss, the first Filipino short film at Sundance. Producer Sheron Dayoc, an award-winning filmmaker, is known for works like Women of the Weeping River, exploring themes of migration and cultural identity.

To Leave, To Stay - Danech San (Cambodia)
In a small fishing village, 18-year-old Mera resists an arranged marriage, choosing instead to seek adventure. When she disappears, her friend Bopha embarks on a determined search. Director Danech San, recognised for her short films A Million Years and Sunrise in My Mind, brings her experience from the Cannes Résidence and the Locarno Filmmakers Academy to this poignant story. Producer Marine Arrighi de Casanova, founder of Apsara Films, supports ambitious projects with a focus on unique global perspectives.

Sueños - Esteban Pedraza (Colombia)
Luisa, a young Colombian woman, marries an older US man in search of the American Dream, only to find herself reshaping her identity as she struggles to belong. Director Esteban Pedraza, an NYU film graduate, is known for his storytelling in Bogotá Story, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Producer Diana C Patiño Martínez, a Cannes and Venice award-winning producer, is celebrated for her work on projects such as Entre tú y Milagros and Bogotá Story.

Black Battle with Dogs - Joseph Ramaka Gaï (Senegal)
Against the backdrop of African independence, a murder at a mining camp stirs unrest, with local labourers and colonial figures clashing as tensions escalate. Director Joseph Ramaka Gaï, a Silver Lion winner at Venice, co-founded Goree Cinema and directs films that explore themes of resistance and cultural legacy. Producer Yanis Gaye, co-founder of YETU (Un)Limited, is dedicated to promoting African cinema on global platforms.

200 Kopavogur - Grímur Hákonarson (Iceland)
In 1960s Iceland, an infertile man persuades his younger brother to father a child with his wife, sparking a complex family dynamic. Director Grímur Hákonarson, acclaimed for Rams [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Grimur Hakonarson
film profile] and The County [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Grímur Hákonarson
film profile], is known for his realistic yet humour-filled storytelling style. Producer Sara Nassim, who worked on Lamb [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Valdimar Jóhannsson
film profile], champions Icelandic stories with international appeal.

Writing on the Wall - Loïc Darses (Canada)
This political prison drama follows a young Québécois detainee in New York’s notorious The Tombs prison as he pens a revolutionary manifesto. Director Loïc Darses, a Canadian filmmaker, creates politically charged films like Where the Land Ends. Miryam Charles, a director and producer whose work has screened at the Berlinale, explores themes of grief and migration.

The Sea - José Luis Aparicio (Spain)
Mariana, caring for her dying Cuban grandfather in Madrid, enlists the help of a memory-tracing company to reconnect with his past and uncover family secrets. Director José Luis Aparicio, based in Madrid, has had his short films selected for festivals like Sundance and Locarno. Leila Montero is a producer and co-founder of Estudio ST, known for films like Mafifa (2021) and Tundra (2021), featured at Sundance, Locarno, IDFA and Rotterdam. She is currently developing Diaries of Silence by Daniela Muñoz as well as The Sea.

At the Edge of the Sea - Lê Quỳnh Anh (Vietnam)
In a village plagued by floods, a young man cares for his father, while strange incidents affect the surrounding community. Director Lê Quỳnh Anh, a Locarno Filmmakers Academy alumna, experiments with AI in her storytelling. Producer Joel Neo, with a background in female-led narratives, brings a unique perspective to the film.

The films at the Nouveau Marché thus shine a light on diverse voices and powerful stories that transcend borders. With themes that touch on family, resilience, mythology and survival, this year's line-up celebrates the beauty of international storytelling.