Watching the submitted films, I found myself asking: How are people with disabilities portrayed?
Are they active participants in their own stories, or merely a “narrative prosthesis”—a circumstance used to heighten the drama of the main character, portraying them as a martyr or a victim?
What does the film bring that is new, especially in the context of our region?
Which topics within the broader theme of disability does it address?
What (and whom) does it promote?
Does it include and intertwine diverse identities?
The films I have selected as a curator raise important questions and shed light on the lives and experiences of people who may be physically distant from us, but whose social realities often feel very close. Some of these films show how things could—and should—be. They reflect realities here, there… and somewhere beyond.
Interestingly, many of the films come from female perspectives.
It seems that Life, Dignity, and Freedom are the main protagonists of the selected films at this year’s Seize the Film! festival.
As in thrillers and dramas—someone is persistently seeking them, facing obstacles along the way.
As in comedies or feel-good holiday films—someone is simply living them and sharing them with the world.
One thing I’m certain of:
The audience will leave questioning, intrigued, and captivated.
Milesa Milinković, selector and executive director of Seize the film festival.
Novi Sad, jun 2025.
23. UHVATI FILM
selected films
TITLE- Naslov | State-Država | Director- Režija |
Breaking Normal | United States | Jessica Cabot |
Serendipity and Me | United States | Tal Anderson |
Nino | Brazil | Lilih Curi |
Closeness (Nähe) | Germany | Sebastian Bergfeld, Birte Rüster, Diana Staub, Aline Blum |
My Goldfish | Iran, Islamic Republic of | Mohammadreza Ajorloo |
Mom is going back | Poland | Mikołaj Janik |
Turquoise | Nepal | Nibhal Bajracharya |
Silent Night | United Kingdom | Michał Cygan |
Elle Vole (Flying) | France | Sandra PIQUEMAL |
Beyond Each Frame | France | Andres Hernandez Machado |
Les Chaussures Rouges | France | Carolina Kzan |
Longarms (Uzunkol) | Turkey | Cemal Karaaslan |
Stand by Me | Netherlands | Parisa Zandbaf |
Just one chance | France | QUENTIN alitta |
The three deadly senses (A woman play) | Georgia | Nika Zubashvili, Mariam Gigilashvili |
Gum | Saudi Arabia | Belal Albader |
Vibrations From Gaza | Canada, Palestine | Rehab Nazzal |
Winter night- Zimska noć | Serbia | Božidar Knežević & dr. |
After us-Posle nas | Serbia | Siniša Grahovac, UG Realno |
The Power of Goodbye | France | Audrey Sangla |
In Her Shoes | Nigeria | Ella Ogechi Chikezie |
Emergency Plan | United States | Anna Pakman |
Tell me what I see | Norway | Andreas Schille |
The casting | Germany | Samir Fuchs |
Signs that hurt | France | Enzo SERRIPIERRI |
Cerebral poetry | Bulgaria | Viktoria Karakoleva |
Cala, cala son | Espana | Lucía Venero |
La casa de la abuela | Espana | Ashling Ocampo Colvin |
Marciano Garcia | Espana | Luis Arrojo |
Bumblebee | Espana | Fon Cortizo |
