performed by Val Cole

POEM:

the warm, cheap wine
doesn’t taste good but
at least the sea is
mine

I chug what I should have sipped
suppress what I could have done
none of it matters, the money is gone
my father is dead

and the wine is flowing in my blood
just like it did in his when he died
just like his genes flow in mine
another drink, then

I’m at the beach by myself
again, but I don’t feel alone
when staring at the big big
blue I always think of him

I’m sure there was a reason for it
but now all that comes to mind
is how this is way nicer than the
grey sea cousin we dumped him in

I ask the guy to make it strong

A showcase of the best FAMILY films in the world today.

AUDIENCE AWARDS:
Best Feature Film: HEART OF THE WOMAN or 24/I
Best Short Film: PLAYING IN THE YARD
Best Micro-Short Film: DIJAMEH

PLAYING IN THE YARD, 11min., Iran
Directed by Raza Arzhang
Two child are playing in the yard.

DIJAMEH, 5min., Iran
Directed by Amirali Mirderikvand
A young man is looking at his grandfather photo in an old home , so he remember action of grandfather in past ….

https://www.instagram.com/amirali.mirderik.vand

HEART OF THE WOMAN or 24/I. 60min., Croatia
Directed by Andrejka Skračić
Suzana does her best to be a good mom to Vana and Jere, supports her husband and takes care of their home while trying to be creative – when and if she finds time. Although she is busy 24 hours a day and often exhausted, Croatian Employment Service and most of the society treat her as a person without work. Suzana finds this unjust and humiliating and has the need to make a film about one ordinary day in her life. Her film consists of 24 scenes, each capturing one aspect of her existence, from duties and realities, to dreams, longings and confessions. She gets up early, feeds the children, takes them out, then she does the laundry, makes lunch ready and writes project and job applications that are always turned down. She is at the market, employment office, beach. At night she wakes up to comfort her little son and reflects on life, love and lack of support and understanding. Tired but inspired by verses of E. Dickenson and Tarkovski’s work, Suzana decides to make a film dedicated to motherhood and woman’s creativity.

https://instagram.com/andrejkaart/

Performed by Val Cole

Performed by Val Cole

Performed by Val Cole

Poetry performed by Val Cole

—-
POEM;

Upon ox-eyed daisies, a curse seemed struck
every mid-summer, when I was a child.
One by one, their petals, girls would pluck
‘til no stem held white blossoms in the wild.

Thus-tortured flora, guilty of no crime,
would stoically endure their gruesome fate,
consoled that after ritual and rhyme,
their tossed, forgotten pods would germinate.

Those girls weren’t wicked witches – only self-
possessed by that amatory impulse
which births propensity to venial sin.
Yet I prayed, “might our continental shelf
be blessed with hardier daisies that expulse
their seeds when it is cold and girls stay in?”

Animal Story
A Pantoum with Consonance

by Ardalan Pourvali

Squawking seagull beaks prey upon candlefish
while a high tide invades the mainland
but barriers block a tsunami
the storm surges; people withstand

While a high tide invades the mainland
raiding squirrels invade the coots nest
but barriers block a tsunami
and gawking crows raid the rodents quest

raiding squirrels invade the coots nest
rifles round on the holster of hunters
and gawking crows raid the rodents quest
“Shots fired!” said the squirrel thumpers

Rifles round on the holster of hunters
and scavenging ravens exterminate pests
“Shots fired!” said the squirrel thumpers
while dictators leave their people oppressed

And scavenging ravens exterminate pests
But sportsmen kill ducks for wild meat
While dictators leave their people oppressed
and assassins kill humans for the elite

But sportsmen kill ducks for wild meat
“Hunters Judgment night!” Commanded His wish,
“and assassins kill humans for the elite!”
Squawking seagull beaks prey upon candlefish

Performed by Val Cole

Poetry reading by Val Cole

—-
POEM:

Oh, The Baby Farted Under The Christmas Tree
(By Edgar Galeano)

In a cozy little living room, the lights are shining bright,
Presents piled underneath, what a lovely Christmas night.
But in the midst of all the cheer, something’s gone astray,
A little bundle of joy lets a squeaky surprise today!

Oh, the baby farted under the Christmas tree,
The tinsel shook, and the dog ran free!
With a giggle and a wiggle, what a sight to see,
That little toot was the best gift of the spree!

Mom and Dad are laughing now, they’ve lost their holiday cheer,
Grandma’s clutching her pearls, saying, “What’s that I hear?”
But the baby just grins wide, like they know the game,
They gave us all a little joy, and now we’re all the same!

Now every year we gather ‘round, to tell the tale once more,
Of the cutest little culprit who started the uproar.
So if you hear a little sound this holiday season cheer,
Just look around and smile big, it’s the best time of the year!

So here’s to joyful moments, and laughter through the night,
A little toot, a merry tune, makes everything feel right.
Merry Christmas to all, let the good vibes flow,
And if there’s a little sound, just let the laughter grow!

Performed by Val Cole