Fora da Caridade Não Há Salvação

Arreda Homem Que Chegou Mulher

Documentary about terreiro women in Fortaleza who occupy the highest positions in the hierarchy, subverting the patriarchal tradition of religious communities.

Exu - Além do Bem e do Mal

Encruzilhadas do Som

The documentary adresses the meaning of music and the musical diversity present in Umbanda (a Brazilian religion with afroindigenous roots). With interviews with four umbandistas from Fortaleza - Ceará, Crossroads of the Sound pays reverence to the enchanted dimension where the sounds cross each other to make the spirits dance.

Looking for Modern Art: Rethinking Art History

Many twentieth century European artists, such as Paul Gauguin or Pablo Picasso, were influenced by art brought to Europe from African and Asian colonies. How to frame these Modernist works today when the idea of the primitive in art is problematic?

Do Que Aprendi Com Minhas Mais Velhas

Preto Velho na Lagoinha

Documentary about the preparation of a popular celebration of "Dia do Preto Velho", one of the most important rituals from the Umbanda in Brazil.

Batchan

Teachings of an Issei. Advice, spirituality and challenges.

Encontro das Águas

This short film follows the journey of Rosane Pires and Iara Viana, during the preparations for their wedding, as well as the civil and religious ceremonies.

Tokolosh

Based on South African Tokolosh myths & legends. The Tokolosh is believed to be a dwarf like creature that has been killing people since 1838. Set in modern day South Africa a young architect tries to find out more about his wife's mysterious death and realizes there is something more sinister at work.

Nayola

In 1995, during the Angolan civil war, Nayola sets out in search of her missing husband.

Words with Gods

The first of four installments in the groundbreaking Heartbeat of the World anthology film series. Comprised of several short films by some of the world's most exciting directors, Words with Gods follows the theme of religion - specifically as it relates to an individual's relationship with his/her god or gods...or the lack thereof. In Words with Gods, each director recounts a narrative centered around human fragility, as well as environmental and cultural crises involving specific religions with which each has a personal relationship; including early Aboriginal Spirituality, Umbanda, Buddhism, the Abrahamic faiths, Hinduism, and Atheism. An animated sequence by Mexican animator Maribel Martinez is woven through each of the film segments, with each segment narratively connected as a feature-length film.

Oya: Rise of the Suporisha

Inspired by the ancient African deities known as Orixa and the traditions of Yoruba people as well as Candomble, Santeria and Umbanda among others. Disconnected from the natural essence of Orixa. Fuelled by hate, war and destruction. This world teeters on chaos. This world needs change. This world needs Oya: Orisha of the hurricane, goddess of the wind. Step into her world, as Oya goes on a mission to stop a lunatic, intent on killing an innocent. If change is to come. Evil must be defeated. The Orisha must rise.

Amor de Ori

Oxum goes to the river every day to fill his jug with water. One day, a woman in red clothes crosses his path and changes her life forever.

Ylê Xoroquê

The process of formation of the person and its identity from an African conception of the world. The orixás (gods), linked to the forces of nature, are equal to people, and are not transcendent. of the person with their orixá, within the family and the culture. Filmed in a Candomblé terreiro of Bantu origin.

BARE BONES

BARE BONES is an experimental short film written, directed and scored by DEBBY FRIDAY. Conceived during the Covid-19 lockdown and shot in Vancouver, BC on 16mm, the film tells the story of a young woman who swallows a bee and begins to undergo a hallucinatory and transformative experience. Abstract visual sequences depict time and space fracturing around her as she succumbs to wave after wave of pure feeling.