Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Daiva Visockytė

Wishing on a Star (dir. Peter Kerekes)

CRITIC’S CHOICE
At one end of the table sits astrologer Luciana with her star-charting computer; at the other, clients hoping to rewrite their destinies. Luciana scans celestial maps, pinpointing the perfect spot on Earth for her clients to celebrate their birthdays. And that’s where the fun begins, because these destinations are far from typical tourist getaways. You can watch this film as an Italian comedy, but here’s the twist – it’s a documentary! Luciana is real, her clients are real, and their journeys unfold before us with all the humor life naturally provides. Whether you believe in astrology or not, Wishing on a Star invites you to see life as an adventure brimming with cosmic comedy.

Armand (dir. Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel)

COMPETITION
Renate Reinsve, whom we remember as The Worst Person in the World, returns in a gripping role as Armando’s mother. Summoned to a meeting by school staff, she finds herself in a tense room where parents and teachers try to unravel an unsettling incident between her son and a classmate. As details emerge, the focus subtly shifts. The real subject of scrutiny is no longer the boys’ altercation, but something much deeper. This intense drama was written specifically for Reinsve, and its director, Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel, carries an extraordinary cinematic lineage as the grandson of film legends Ingmar Bergman and Liv Ullmann. All the more reason to add this striking debut to your watchlist.

The Outrun (dir. Nora Fingscheidt)

CRITIC’S CHOICE
Young, blue-haired Rona returns from London to the remote Scottish island where she grew up, seeking recovery from alcohol addiction.

The Orkney Islands, lying even farther north than mainland Scotland, offer no warmth or comfort. Harsh winds howl, the cold Atlantic looms, the sun barely breaks through, and the vast moorlands stretch out lifeless. The only thing resisting the elements is a small, solitary house where Rona struggles to endure sobriety’s monotony. This film grants an uncomfortably close look at a person accustomed to city life and constant stimulation, now left alone with nothing but their own existence.

Julie keeps quiet (dir. Leonardo Van Dijl)

CRITIC’S CHOICE
Young and promising tennis player Julie trains at an eliteacademy. But when her coach is suddenly dismissed, players are urged to come forward and speak about him. Julie, however, chooses silence. Her unwavering discipline unsettles those demanding answers, and her unbreakable composure astonishes the audience. How can someone so young possess such strength?

The film keeps us guessing will Julie finally speak? Or will she remain silent? Played by a real-life tennis player, Julie’s athletic precision and self-control are anything but an act.

Peacock (dir. Bernhard Wenger)

PANORAMA
Matthias is a master of reinvention. For the right price, he can become anyone – an intellectual, an impressive father, a successful son. But when shape-shifting is your greatest skill, the hardest role to play is yourself. This premise is a perfect breeding ground for humor and absurdity, and the film delivers both in spades. Sharp wit and biting social critique make this a must-watch for those who appreciate satire with an edge. If you’re looking for a film that pokes fun at societal expectations while keeping you entertained, this one’s hard to beat.