Washed by the Moon

Director: Dan Shutt

Year: 2027

A chance encounter on a minibus in rural Georgia leads three folk musicians deep into conversation about a pre-Christian goddess, magical dogs and the mythical hunter who broke his promise. They explore Georgian mythology through the intricate polyphonic songs that are unique to each of their remote mountain regions. 'A White Mountain Goat Appeared' mixes scripted scenes from amateur actors with real field recordings of ancient traditions.

Director: Marisa Privitera Murdoch

Year: 2026

Edge is Everything is a love letter to photography and to the art of truly seeing. For over 30 years, Thomas Joshua Cooper has photographed the furthest edges of land with a 19th century camera. His work bears witness to landscapes transformed by climate change while recovering forgotten histories of migration, exploration and departure. Cooper draws on his Native American heritage and an extraordinary archive of audio interviews he recorded in the 1970s with photography’s most influential figures, including Ansel Adams, Man Ray, Imogen Cunningham and Paul Strand. These previously unheard tapes create a rare intergenerational conversation about photography and artistic practice. The film also examines the cost of an uncompromising creative life. His wife and adult daughter reveal the impact of his prolonged absences and challenge the mythology of the solitary artist. At a time defined by speed, distraction and instant images, Edge is Everything asks what might happen if we slowed down long enough to fully observe. This question has guided Cooper since childhood, when he was taught by his Native American elders: “Each of us has an eye that sees and a seeing eye. When you learn which is which, you will have begun to become human.”

Director: Liam Saint-Pierre

Year: 2027

THE LAST PICTURE SHOP follows Ümit Mesut, an eccentric 64-year-old Cypriot Cockney projectionist who owns the last cine-film shop in the UK. Against the backdrop of gentrification and the cost-of-living crisis, the shop comes close to closure. Persuaded by his close filmmaker friend Liam, the two embark on an improbable mission: head to Hollywood, track down the high priest of celluloid, Quentin Tarantino, and ask his support to save this wonderful shop before it is lost forever. Little goes to plan, with countless twists and setbacks, their friendship and even their love of cinema is tested, but only through their epic journey do they realise the answer to their quest lies closer to home. The documentary is a heartfelt homage to cinema, filled with humour and humanity.