June was filled with events and happenings all around Sheffield and Sheffield DocFest was definitely the talk of the town! 

The 32^nd Edition of the festival saw 51 World Premieres, 16 International Premieres, 8 European Premieres, and 39 UK Premieres from 68 countries of production. 

The festival had a broad selection from tearjerkers to satire, and everything in between. 

While the jury chose its winners with Welded Together taking the Grand Jury Award for the International Competition, and In a Whisper claiming the Grand Jury Award for the International Short Film Competition, everyone present also had their personal favourites – films that had them glued to the screen. 

Here are five documentaries that won the hearts of the staff at Sheffield DocFest: 

1. A Frown Gone Mad:

An entry in the youth jury competition, the director, Omar Misri, finds a creative way to explore the growing tensions in Beirut while covering a beauty salon offering Botox services to its ever-growing, loyal clientele.

This satire draws a stark parallel between the clients coming in to have their appearances enhanced and the region which also is having its surface changed due do bombings and conflict. 

Some interesting visuals and all sorts of conversations in the salon, the film serves as a time capsule to understand the philosophies of the people in the region which is very well summed up in the film itself – “They destroy, we repair.”

The film is originally in Arabic with English subtitles, running for 71 minutes. For its UK premiere, A Frown Gone Mad certainly caught some eyes.

Content Guidance: Film contains images of injections and blood.

2. Comprasa:

Directors Vickie Curtis, Doug Anderson bring forward the powerful yet silent rebellion that two sisters Lesli and Lupe are leading in Guatemala, unleashing joy and art in a fight for their survival. 

The film explores the wider problem of gendered violence in Guatemala, primarily through portraits of young girls who have been survivors of violence and in turn have had their lives shaped by its effects. 

This film is an ode to the plight, power and perseverance of girls. Comprasa, took home the International First Feature Competition. 

The jury said: “It’s a film that introduces us to amazing characters, smart, sensitive, with an astonishing inner force that is an inspiration to push for change against all odds.

Running for 79 minutes, the film is in Spanish with English Subtitles. 

Content Guidance: Film contains discussions about drug abuse, domestic abuse, sexual violence and threat.

3. Cuba&Alaska:

World Premiering at Sheffield DocFest, the film revolves around two female medics codenamed Cuba and Alaska. 

The director Yegor Troyanovsky covers a journey with the titular characters, employing their phone and bodycam footage, telling the story of their bravery, humor and friendship, all while navigating a chaotic war. 

The film reflects the importance of human connection and the value of a friend’s presence. It also explores the effects of war on relationships and the unsaid struggles people face during conflict. 

The film is available in Ukrainian, French, Russian, Catalan and runs for 93 minutes.

Content Guidance: Film contains scenes of war, bereavement and death.

4. André is an idiot:

Director Tony Benna covers the life of a dying man who faces death head on with a sense of humor that many might consider weird. 

The film revolves around the life of André Ricciardi, an adverstising student diagnosed with terminal cancer. Such a shattering news might send one into oblivion but not André – he deals with this news by making a film about dying. 

This Sundance Award winning film is a celebration of life but also a sombre reminder of the inevitability of death. The film shows how laughter and humor can brighten up the darkest of days and make our time on this planet worthwhile. 

It tells us that sometimes being serious means being your truest, most ridiculous self. 

The film runs for 88 minutes in English.

Content Guidance: Film explores themes death, bereavement, etc.

5. Power Station:

Screened under the Rebellions strand, this film explores the growing environmental concerns that face our society today. 

Inspired during lockdown, activists and directors Hilary Powell and Dan Edelstyn document their journey to turn their street into an energy generating powerhouse – setting precedent for a new way of life, one that is respectful towards nature.

The film is a testament to the power of art in changing mindsets while also being a portrait of the directors’ local neighbourhood in Walthamstow 

The film covers their entire journey, form pitching the idea to their neighbours to sleeping on their roofs to raise money. 

Another world premiere, the film is in English and runs for 90 minutes with no content guidance. 

The festival, in partnership with Showroom Cinema, will continue to engage with the documentary community in Sheffield with the monthly DocNights screening Programme.