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
I Swear I Swear
Kirk Jones
Thursday, 28. 05. 2026 / 18:20 / Main Hall
This candid, moving, and often hilarious film tells the extraordinary life story of John Davidson, an activist who raises awareness of Tourette syndrome. The film won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor.
Dance of Life Ples življenja
Siniša Gačić
Thursday, 28. 05. 2026 / 19:20 / Small Hall
In his documentary, Siniša Gačić explores the issue of voluntary euthanasia by telling the story of a couple facing the end of their lives together.
New on the programme
Pillion Pillion
Harry Lighton
Thursday, 28. 05. 2026 / 21:00 / Main Hall
This explicit and raw yet surprisingly tender film challenges our notions of what an ideal relationship should look like. It won the Best Screenplay Award at Cannes.