First Zone

Syrian documentary The Other Side of the Sun, directed by Tawfik Sabouni, has been selected as Syria's submission for the 99th Academy Awards. The decision marks the country's first entry since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, positioning the film at a moment of profound political and cultural transition. Andana Films, which handles worldwide sales to the film, also announced that New York based Icarus Films has acquired US rights to the film.

Stephen Burke’s comedy-drama heist feature Chasing Millions, starring Madeleine Madden and Christopher Eccleston, is gearing up for a two-continent theatrical launch, opening 9 October across Ireland through Eclipse Pictures and on 19 November in Australia via Bonsai Films.

The second edition of NLWave, the international showcase presenting upcoming Dutch features, documentaries and animation, is to launch NxtWave, presenting four shorts by rising Dutch filmmaking talent. With this new strand, the organisers aim to draw professional attention to Dutch filmmaking voices of tomorrow.