The program for TIFF 2024 is ready!

Impressive films from Argentina, female sexuality, world premieres, a record number of feature films from the North, and Masterclass and retrospective in world-class are some of the main events at the 34th edition of Tromsø International Film Festival.

This year's main theme for the festival revolves around using film to seek solutions and find hope in the challenging situation the world finds itself in. This sentiment is reflected in the choice of the opening film, the Norwegian-Palestinian documentary LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL – AL HAYA HELWA by Mohamed Jabaly.

- It's a powerful documentary that revolves around finding glimpses of light through the darkness. Mohamed, both as a person and a filmmaker, possesses the will and ability to seek out the positives in bleak times. Furthermore, we have several compelling films that emphasize the appreciation of beauty in everyday life. PERFECT DAYS by Wim Wenders stands as a prime example of this, says Lisa Hoen, festival director at TIFF.

IMPRESSIVE FILMS FROM ARGENTINA

This year's program features several Argentine films, with two of them participating in the competition segment. These include A RAVAGING WIND by Paula Hernández and PUAN by María Alché and Benjamín Naishtat. The latter secured awards for Best Screenplay and Best Leading Performance at this year's San Sebastián International Film Festival. Additionally, the Argentine thriller THE DELINQUENTS is part of the sidebar program HORIZONS, and the psychological horror film WHEN EVIL LURKS by Demián Rugna is featured in OVERDRIVE.

- Argentina is making a strong mark this year with films that are compelling dramas, blending tragicomic elements and offering a unique perspective on humanity and its place in society, says Hoen.

FEMALE DIRECTORS ON THE RISE

In the international film industry, female directors are gaining ground. Many of these directors create films with their own unique approaches, particularly focusing on female sexuality. The sidebar program HOW TO HAVE SEX highlights six films directed by women. Several of these directors base their narratives on their own personal experiences. THE FEELING THAT THE TIME FOR DOING SOMETHING HAS PASSED by Joanna Arnow is a notable example, wherein Arnow also takes on the lead role.

- Over the past year, many women have crafted films exploring topics such as the body, sexuality, establishing boundaries, and physical experiences. Additionally, within the program, we delve into whether the female perspective differs from the male, says Hoen.

POWERFUL PORTRAITS FROM NORWAY

From Norway, two documentary films stand out, garnering special attention from the festival in the sidebar FOCUS NORWAY. IBELIN by Benjamin Ree and PUNISHMENT by Øystein Mamen both paint compelling portraits of individuals in vastly different life situations, aligning with the festival's ambition to broaden the audience's perspective.

- These are two exceptionally strong and emotionally gripping documentaries. Benjamin Ree delivers an innovative documentary that will undoubtedly receive significant attention, and Øystein Mamen's directorial debut is a heavyweight film, says Henning Rosenlund, Assistant Program Director at TIFF.

IBELIN will have its Norwegian premiere just one day after its world premiere at Sundance, while PUNISHMENT will meet audiences for the very first time during the screenings in Tromsø.

COEN-BROTHERS: CRIME AND HUMAN COMEDY

Earlier this fall, the festival announced a visit from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke at for TIFF 2024. Now, the selection of films for the sidebar program is ready. In this retrospective, the festival presents a cross-section of their career, featuring several highlights such as THE BIG LEBOWSKI, JERRY LEE LEWIS: TROUBLE IN MIND, and O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?, the latter of which will be screened with a beautiful 35 mm copy.

In addition to the opportunity to meet Coen and Cooke at select screenings, both the film industry and the audience will have the chance to buy tickets for a Masterclass scheduled on Friday during the festival.

- We've had many exciting directors at the festival before, but it's doubtful anything surpasses this. This will be a unique opportunity to learn from a world-class director, says Rosenlund.

FILMS FROM DIFFERENT HORIZONS

This year's festival program includes the four regular sidebar programs: HORIZONS, EAST SIDE STORIES, OVERDRIVE, and FILMS FROM THE NORTH.

In EAST SIDE STORIES, the festival continues to focus on its eastern neighboring countries, featuring a selection of films from Ukraine, the Netherlands, Russia, and Georgia.

The festival's second-largest sidebar program, HORIZONS, presents a total of 23 films, offering a taste of the best films from the current festival circuit. One of these films is ABOUT DRY GRASSES by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, nominated for the prestigious Palme d'Or and winner of the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival 2023.

- The most crucial criterion we have for HORIZONS is quality, which we absolutely find in this year's film selection. Additionally, there's an exciting diversity from various parts of the world – Turkey, France, Bhutan, South Africa, Morocco, Palestine, and many more, says Rosenlund.

For those seeking films that are tougher, more offbeat, and more absurd than most, this year's OVERDRIVE program won't disappoint.

- I'm excited for the audience to experience DICKS: THE MUSICAL by Larry Charles. It's a fantastically humorous film, that might cross some lines for some members of our audience, says Hoen.

The festival's largest sidebar program, FILMS FROM THE NORTH, was released on Thursday, December 7th, offering a unique opportunity to witness compelling stories reflecting the lives of those residing in the northern regions.

THE FESTIVAL ENDS IN TRUE '70S STYLE

In the Closing Film, director Alexander Payne has returned to crafting a classic '70s period drama. The technology used in the film, including both camera and sound, is designed to emulate the cinematic format of the '70s, making it effortless to immerse oneself in the past when watching THE HOLDOVERS.

- It's a gem of a film that pays tribute to great storytelling, male friendship, and the formats of the '70s, concludes Hoen.

Have a look at the full festival program!