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FRONT ROW
Director: Merzak Allouache
Zhola Bouderbala and her five children wake up at dawn on a hot day and prepare to spend their first summer’s day at the beach. It is imperative to get there early, in order to get a spot in “the front row”, with an uninterrupted view of the beautiful sea. As the first to arrive, the family settles at the water’s edge; an idyllic day beckons. Then, when another family arrives, there is an unexpected disaster. Merzak Allouache, whose earlier film Omar Gatlato marked a turning point in Algerian cinema, gives us characters with wit, zest for life and an and endearing innocence. His ongoing exploration of contemporary Algeria, in all its charm and complexity, confirms his status as a cinematic pioneer.

HANAMI
Director: Denise Fernandes
The remote volcanic island of Fogo, off the coast of Cape Verde, is a difficult place to make a living. Like many other young people, Nia chooses to go, leaving her new baby Nana to be raised by her grandmother. Nana is observant and sensitive; when she develops a high fever and is sent to recover with a healer under the volcano, she immediately responds to the magical atmosphere of the island’s interior. It is as if the island itself, along with the network of women who give the film a strong feminine energy, is caring for her. A moving story about longing and belonging, culminating in the older Nana’s quandary: should she stay here forever, or follow her mother into the wider world?

LAIL NAHAR
Director: Abdulaziz Almuzaini
Nahar, a beloved and highly popular opera singer, finds himself at the center of a "cancel" storm after a viral video accuses him of racism. In a surprising move, he announces his upcoming marriage to a black woman live on air, putting him in a race against time to find the right woman. Eventually, he marries a wedding singer, and their relationship evolves from one of mutual interests into an unexpected emotional and musical journey filled with surprising twists.

In-Conversation with Shradha Kapoor
Director: Shraddha Kapoor
Shraddha Kapoor, a powerhouse of talent and charm, is among Bollywood’s most celebrated stars. With hits like Aashiqui 2 (2013), Stree (2018), and the record-breaking Stree 2 (2024), which has shattered box office records and culture, she has cemented her legacy as a box office queen. Beyond cinema, Shraddha reigns as the most-followed Indian actor and the second-most-followed Indian on social media, reflecting her unparalleled global fanbase.