BLOCK 6. Dreams and Desires

On a slow, rainy night in a neon-lit strip club in the center of Helsinki, four dancers find themselves with more glitter than guests. Dancers Only is a slice-of-life short film that peels back the rhinestones to reveal the real — a night of stillness where nothing happens, and yet everything does. A love letter to friendship, femininity, and the in-between spaces where identity, performance, and the mundane blur.

In 2021, 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long kills 8 Asian women in massage parlors in Atlanta, Georgia as a way to suppress his uncontrollable sexual desire. Dutch-Japanese filmmaker Kiriko Mechanicus writes letters to the young murderer to find out what his killings have to do with her sexual life. What do our racial fetishes tell us about our hidden human desires?

Pol is 21 and lives with his grandmother. He dreams of living in Miami and generating 10k€ a month. He attends personal development events, follows online coaches and invests in cryptocurrencies. Pol doesn't know when he'll achieve his goal of becoming the best version of himself. The only thing he knows is that one day, he'll get there.

Through the story of Bohdan, an ordinary man living in Nikopol, the director explores why some people choose to stay in their homeland even when every day might be their last. Bohdan’s quiet strength lies in his unwavering faith and ability to find meaning in life, no matter what challenges each new day brings. The film contemplates humanity, resilience, and belief in the face of an unfolding apocalypse.

Mohana, the president of Tamil Nadu’s first women-led auto rickshaw union, grapples with the immense responsibility of building a dream that comes with a weight she is only beginning to understand. By her side is Leela, a fellow driver and steadfast friend whose fiery personality often clashes with Mohana’s quiet determination as they navigate the systemic discrimination of a male-dominated profession. Despite their differing approaches to injustices, their bond remains an unshakeable force. Together, they bear the torch for a growing network of women drivers who dream of equal opportunities.