Ten-year-old Asalif and his mother have been displaced from their farmland on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by the construction of a condominium. To fight back against those casting him out, Asalif taps into a fantasy of becoming his hero: the lion (“anbessa” in Amharic). Asalif uses his imagination to battle forces beyond his control. He must find the strength that resides in him in order to deal with the tides of change that are usurping a community, a country, and his own identity.
Anbessa Anbessa
Through an intimate coming-of-age story, Anbessa captures one boy taking on modernization on his own terms, revealing a unique and magical perspective on the myth of “progress”.
What's On
Kinobalon
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Premiere
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain Amélie et la métaphysique des tubes
Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han
Saturday, 09. 05. 2026 / 17:00 / Main Hall
Amélie is a little Belgian girl born in Japan. Thanks to her friend Nishio-san, life is a succession of adventures and discoveries. But on her third birthday, a single event changes everything. Because for Amélie, this is the age where everything hangs in the balance: happiness as well as tragedy.
The Tale of Silyan Prikaznata za Siljan
Tamara Kotevska
Saturday, 09. 05. 2026 / 19:00 / Small Hall
Inspired by ancient myths and folk tales, Tamara Kotevska’s film is a moving documentary fairy tale about a farmer and his unique bond with a white stork.
I Swear I Swear
Kirk Jones
Saturday, 09. 05. 2026 / 19:30 / Main Hall
A direct, moving, and often very funny film about the extraordinary life of John Davidson, an activist raising awareness of Tourette’s syndrome.