In the Rearview is an authentic, intimate observation documentary of war that follows the journey of Ukrainian citizens fleeing the horrors of the conflict. The film director Maciek Hamela steers through minefields with his car and passes numerous military checkpoints, offering a seat in his car to people who need it. The camera captures the faces in the rearview mirrors and the conversations in the backseat along with the thoughts and feelings of those who have been placed under wartime conflict. Along the tens of thousands of kilometers from Ukraine to Poland, the car became a waiting room, a hospital, a shelter, and a place of conversation for travelers who happened to be in it.

Documentary / 2023 / 84 min / French, Ukraine, Polish, Russian, English / Director: Maciek Hamela / Subtitles: Japanese and English / Japan premiere

Tareq and his family immigrated to Canada after becoming refugees in the Syria crisis. While the family is hosted in a much smaller city than their hometown of Damascus, Tareq finds a way to graduate from medical school, which was left difficult due to the crisis. Meanwhile, his father Issam, a top chocolate maker, resumes his chocolate business with the support of the people around him. This is a heartwarming success story about a real chocolate store and showing how chocolates can bring family, peace, and happiness to people. Based on the internationally recognized true story.

Drama / 2021/ 96 min / English, Arabic / Director: Jonathan Keijser / Subtitles: Japanese and English

Rosemary’s Way celebrates Rosemary Kariuki and the group of vulnerable migrant women of suburban Sydney who have settled in Australia and have spent their lives isolated and disconnected from society. Rosemary, a police officer and community liaison, works with women from diverse cultures such as Iraq, Congo, and Peru to convince local people to accept them into their communities to share their newfound cultural experiences. The documentary celebrates the courage and strength of women whose lives have been transformed by Rosemary's support, from isolation to connection.

Documentary / 2020 / 75 min / English / Director: Ros Horin / Subtitles: Japanese / Japan premiere

The Staging Post follows two Afghan Hazara refugees, Muzafar and Khadim. They were forced to spend many years in the Indonesian village of Cisarua after the Australian government forcibly detained all asylum seekers who arrived by boat. However, despite the bleak times, they stood up for a better life and built a community and opened a school that became an educational revolution for the refugees. The film depicts a true story of great hope brought about by the power of friendship, connection, and community.

Documentary / 2017 / 65 min / English / Director: Jolyon Hoff / Subtitles: Japanese / Japan premiere

The Israeli military attack on the Palestinian Gaza Strip from 2008 to 2009 claimed the lives of 1,400 people. The children of the Samuni family, who live in Zeitoun, an agricultural area in the south of Gaza, experienced a severe incident in which 29 members of their family were killed at once. Director Mizue Furui's camera captures the lives of these children as they struggle to survive the loss of their families, and the trauma and changes in their hearts. What was glimpsed through the children were their “drive to live” and the “power of human”.

Documentary / 2011 / 89 min / Arabic / Director: Mizue Furui / Subtitles: Japanese and English / * Rerun of the 7th Refugee Film Festival 2012