Four projects selected for New Dawn

In making their selection, the committee primarily considered how the filmmaker's voice aligns with the mission of New Dawn and secondarily on the subject matter. They reflected on questions such as: how does the filmmaker contribute to new and/or underrepresented perspectives, either through their artistic vision, their mission statement, or the composition of their team? In addition, the committee assessed the quality of the script, the joint motivation, artistic innovation, and contextual relevance of the project.

The 4 selected projects are all fiction films. They are:

The Virgin of San Agustin (Canada/Venezuela)

Director: Pedro Ruiz
Script: Alvaro Cabrera and Pedro Ruiz
Producer: Faits Divers Productions Inc.
Logline: Teenage María Concepción finds herself pregnant, despite being a virgin. She does not want a baby, even if it is a miracle. Confronted with the pressures of those around her, she must find a way to take back control of her life.
Granted Support: € 150.000,-
Committee: ‘A Venezuelan debut that uses magical realism to tell the unusual and thought-provoking story of María Concepcíon, a pregnant teen who claims to still be a virgin. The narrative is rooted in community and offers a fresh voice from an underrepresented region. The film manages to be accessible and charming, while also addressing serious topics like abortion, poverty, and the clash between politics and religion. Its strength lies in the authenticity and relevance. The director approaches his subject with sincerity and an eye for social nuance. A modest yet impactful film.’

The Decapitation of Ousmane Sembene by the Commission for Classification of Cinematography (Flanders)

Director/Script: Benjamin Deboosere
Producer: Hilife Cinematography
Logline: 1989, the Commission for Classification of Cinematography (CCC) organizes a networking event for director Ousmane Sembene in the light of his latest film Camp de Thiaroye. What starts with the best of intentions culminates in a court case of vital importance. An absurd ahistorical treatment of the censorship of a milestone in African cinema, where uncomfortable truths are confronted and heads roll.
Granted support: € 50.000,-
Committee: ‘This film is revolutionary in both content and form! It starts from a fascinating premise and unravels into a post-colonial critique of cinema and power structures. Truly striking is the filmmaking process itself: unorthodox, collaborative, and full of bold artistic risks. The makers present a deeply honest motivation and an uncompromising political stance. This film doesn’t just talk about decolonisation, it enacts it — in method, tone, and vision. A voice that deserves to be seen, heard and supported for its radical potential.’

Femmes de Ménage (Portugal/Luxembourg)

Director: Ágata de Pinho
Script: Ágata de Pinho and Kate Saragaço - Gomes
Producer: Uma Pedra No Sapato
Logline: Ágata, a Portuguese filmmaker, moves to Luxembourg to work as a cleaner and finds community with other immigrant women who are fighting against their employer's exploitation. Femmes de Ménage explores themes of social class, the immigrant experience, and the undervalued labor that sustains society.
Granted support: € 200.000,-
Committee: ‘A sincere and social-politically charged personal narrative that expands into a broader social commentary. The film offers a strong link between voice and subject, and the casting of activist women grounds the film in lived feminist perspectives. The film excels in its intimate gaze and freedom of form, portraying the intersections of class, gender, and power not as binaries but as layered, shifting dynamics. It’s careful blend of personal and political offers a compelling look at systemic imbalance, resilience, and solidarity across invisible labour lines.’

Postcard (Flanders/France)

Directors/Script: Anthony Nti & Chingiz Karibekov
Producer: Caviar
Logline: Two Nigerian women flee to Europe in search of a better life, only to find themselves trapped in the brutal world of forced prostitution. One clings desperately to her dreams, while the other sees an opportunity to rise within the system. But in a world ruled by exploitation and betrayal, the price of freedom is unpredictable—and not everyone will make it out.
Granted support: € 100.000,-
Committee: ‘A gripping and emotionally powerful film that plunges into the harsh realities of human trafficking and illegal sex work with unflinching honesty. At its heart are two young women whose resilience and strength carry the story with depth and urgency. The filmmakers demonstrate a strong, authentic motivation, evident in their commitment to working closely with the communities represented on screen. The film’s visual storytelling is striking, combining raw immediacy with moments of poetic intensity. Its collective energy of resistance and revenge gives the narrative a dynamic, forward-driving force.’

Image: f.l.t.r.t.t.b.: Pedro Ruiz, Anthony Nti & Chingiz Karibekov, Ágata de Pinho, Benjamin Deboosere. Image of Anthony Nti and Chingiz Karibekov by Bart Baevegems