The Pendance Film Festival Announces 2025 Festival Selections
Toronto, ON – The Pendance Film Festival is gearing up for its 8th edition with over 70 films from around the world. The lineup features several World Premieres and Canadian Premieres across many genres and is sure to captivate audiences. Pendance runs from February 27th to March 2nd, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.
Nine exciting feature films are vying for this year’s top honours, including the opening night film Duino, a poignant LGBTQ+ drama from directors Juan Pablo Di Pace and Andrés Pepe Estrada. The film, which FILMINK (Australia) describes as having the same “bicurious wavelength” as Call Me by Your Name and Pain and Glory, promises to be a memorable start to the festival.
On Friday, Stampila, Moldova’s Oscar submission for 2025, takes centre stage. Directed by David Larson, the film follows a middle-aged woman who decides to take on the powerful oligarch running her country. David will be in attendance for the Canadian Premiere, offering audiences a chance to meet the visionary behind this gripping political drama.
Saturday’s lineup is packed with noteworthy features. Let Them Be Naked, a daring documentary from Jeff Garner, investigates the toxic chemicals lurking in our everyday clothes, challenging viewers to think twice about the garments they wear. Jeff will be present for the Canadian Premiere, along with some of the individuals featured in the documentary.
Also on Saturday, Almost 40, a delicate exploration of love and loss by director Koto Nagata, will be paired with The Ugly Chickens, a 29-minute short by Canadian director Mark Raso. The day’s programming continues with The Last Night in the Life of Death, a gripping film about grief and family by Isaiah Brody, who at just 16 years old directed the film, making him the youngest director ever selected by Pendance.
The evening will close with the World Premiere of Crossing Duty, a clever coming-of-age comedy directed by Mikey Smith about a crossing guard who stumbles upon a dark conspiracy. Mikey will join the audience for his film’s World Premiere on Saturday night.
On Sunday, Pendance shifts gears with a sports documentary double-feature, kicking off with The Last Game by Jon Alpert. The film, which makes its World Premiere, explores how climate change is threatening the future of hockey, spanning five continents and bringing global perspectives to the fore. It’s paired with Basketball State: The Land of 10,000 Hoops, a captivating 45-minute documentary by Gabe Hostetler that celebrates the rise of basketball in Minnesota. Both filmmakers are expected to be present for the screenings.
Sunday continues with Cu Li Never Cries, an exquisite arthouse film by Pham Ngoc Lan that won the Panorama: KWFF Best First Feature Award at the 2024 Berlinale International Film Festival. The festival will also present a special out-of-competition screening of Booger, a body horror film by Mary Dauterman that premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival.
In keeping with its roots, Pendance continues to champion short films, with 61 selections this year, including 28 international entries from Spain, the USA, France, Germany, Iran, Austria, and South Africa. There are also 22 Canadian short films in competition, setting a record for the festival, with seven of these films coming from Pendance alumni. Some familiar names include Amelia Moses (Bleed With Me), Erica Orofino (She Keeps Me), Ryan Terk (There’s Nothing You Can Do) and Mark Raso (Under).
In the non-competition section, Pendance is proud to present 11 exceptional short films from both emerging and established filmmakers, including the highly anticipated Dammi by Yann Mounir Demange, starring Riz Ahmed. Additionally, the Emerging Talents Showcase on February 28th will feature the World Premiere of Within The Leaves by Noah J. Brown, the director behind Wireman (Pendance 2021).
“We are absolutely committed to our filmmakers and audience,” says Robert Misovic, Co-founder and Director of Pendance. “Our seventh edition sold out, and we’re expecting the same for this year’s edition. Before the pandemic, Pendance was one of the fastest-growing festivals globally, and we’re excited to continue proving that a winter festival can thrive in Toronto.”
The 8th Pendance Film Festival takes place February 27th through March 2nd, 2025, primarily at the Carlton Cinema. Details about the event and tickets can be found on www.pendancefilmfestival.ca
Contact for festival media inquiries:
Maria Sokolowski
programming@pendancefilmfestival.com