The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival (MNFF), an annual event held in Vermont, celebrates the work of debuting and emerging directors. This prestigious gathering provides a platform for fresh voices in independent cinema, showcasing a diverse array of films across various genres. Beyond screenings, the festival fosters a vibrant community of young filmmakers through networking opportunities, workshops, and discussions.
My Place Ozerna, the audience award recipient, is an intimate portrayal of director Karina Będkowska’s personal journey. For the lonely protagonist, a trip from London to Ozerna – a small Ukrainian village – unexpectedly becomes a path to rediscovering her zest for life. In Ozerna, Będkowska meets her 84-year-old aunt Slava for the first time. Slava, still longing for her husband who passed away years ago, provides a poignant counterpoint to Karina’s own struggles. Several decades younger, Karina finds herself adrift, unable to find her place in life. Her residence in London only serves to deepen her sense of alienation, exacerbating her ongoing depression. Both women have lost their will to live, but their burgeoning relationship and mutual affection gradually restore meaning to their lives.
Further information about the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival can be found on its official website.